Evening star., 1899-02-06
VIEWS OF SENATORS
Effect on Legislation Of the Philip
pine Fight.
AGONCILLO REGARDED As INSfIGATOR
Senator Morgan Denounces the
Attack as a Crime.
AGUINALDO'S AMBITION

The effect of the conflict IN the Philippines
on the action of Congress is discussed with
interest The Views expressed by senators
yesterday concerning its bearing on the
treaty were varied. Some thought it would
insure it's ratification, while others said
they believed it would not have any infiu-
ence on the action Of the Senate.
AgonciIIO Thought to Have Instigat-
ed 1t.
Senator Morgan, a member of the COM
mittee foreign relations, and sup
porter of the treaty from it's Introduction
into the Senate. said: II have known for
several days that it was the opinion of the
best informed men In Washington that
Aguinaldo's agent, Agoucillo, had cabled to
his principal informing him that vote
would be taken the treaty on Monday,
at the same time advising him to precipi-
tate hostiities previous to the time set for
the ballot. 1 have not been at liberty to
mention this fact to my colleagues in the
Senate because it came to me in a way
that made it sacred confidence The at
tack upon our forces Is, therefore no sur
prise to me-
given to this movement by the earnest in
sistence of some leading men and leading
newspapers that the treaty with Spain was
violation of the Constitution of the United
subject, when he demanded for Aguinaldo
that the alleged Philippine government
should be admitted to participate in maxi
ing the treaty, down to his memorial to the
senate OF January 30, AgOncilo has insisted
that the government he represents or pre-
tends to represent is sovereign and inde-
pendent, and that the United States has no
the Filipnos
This is the only issue he has presented
as the representative Of Aguinaldo. His
demand has been for a recognition Of indie
pendence or nothing, and that we should
give this recognition or fight The arpu-
ment so earnestly presented that the treaty
II ratified, would logically compel us to
Violate our Constitution in dealing with
the natives of those islands was also pre-
sented In a memorial to the Senate by
Agcncillo as imposing upon us an obliga-
ton which would prevent our ratifyins the
treaty.
''On the part of Aguinaldo. who is doubt
less supported by other foreign influences,
this outbreak against our army in Manila
Is Is crime due entirely to personal smbi-
lon He must believe, although 1 do not
agree with him, that he has secured and
Will secure material support for his course
in the United States, This misconcepiion
or MS has involved us in unnecessary
bloodshed and in a war, which, if it is not
checke d at once, will spread into Cuba and
Porto Rico. 1t is therefore in my opinion
the duty, as hope it will be the indignant
demand, that the government of the United
bear at once to convince these people that
they owe obedience to the law of nations
and to show them that their ingra titude to
this country, from which they have le-
ceived nothing but kindness and forbear-
aEce, Is crime that must be answered
for
Senator German.
Senator German of Maryland, who is the
leader and organizer of the opposition to
the treaty in the Senate said as to the ef-
Foot t1,a.
the treaty: ut will have no effect what
ever. What has occurred is the result of
what has been predicted by the opponents
of the treaty all the time. The opponents
Of the treaty said that trouble would come
II we handled those people without gloves
ana undertook to force ourselves upon
them without their consent, This battle
can have no effect upon the opponents of
the treaty In any way"
Senator EIkins.
Senator Elkins, who has been very active
IN favor OF the treaty, expressed the opin-
ion last night that enough votes would be
found to ratify it. This morning he said he
did not see where they were TO come from,
but he has had information since indicating
that one or two wavering senators would
hnd in the conflict which. has occurred at
Senator Elkins said that the position of
Aguinaido was perhaps logical with the
treaty unratified, Spain had gotten out
and the United States did not take possess
sion, so Aguinaldo sayss"I am here and
will take possession" The senator added
that the only thing to do was to ratify the
treaty. SO as to definitely fix the status of
the Philippine Islands
Senator Hale, one of the republican op-
ponents of the treaty in the Senate, could
not be seen.
Senator Teller.
Senator Teller, who has from the first
been stanch supporter Of the treaty,
said: Our army is in Manila by right of
conquest and under the laws of war We
were justified in maintaining our position
therein against all who may attack US. /
have been uneasy in regard to the situa-
ton ever since l saw that Aguinaldo had
been authorized by his so-called congress
TO declare war upon the United States.
Ihere was never any danger of the United
States making an attack upon the F'ilipinos.
but there has been danger from the outset
that they, not knowing the conditions here
and laboring under excitement, would make
an assault upon our forces
But under the cir the