Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-15


That by the ratification Of the treaty OF
peace with Spain it is not intended to in
corporate the Inhabitants OF the Philippines
into citizenship of the United States, nor is
1t intended TO permanently annex said ISL
andS as an integral part of the territory OF
the United States; but 1T is the intention of
the United States to establish on said islands
government suitable to the wants and con-
ditlOns of the inhabitants of said islands, TO
prepare them for local self government, and
On due time 10 make such disposition of said
Islands as will best promote the interests OF
the citizens of the United States and the in
hnbttants of said islands
Bacon Amendment Defeated.
An amendment offered by Mr. Bacon, dem
ocrat of Georgia, several days ago was de-
feated. The vote on the amendment was
tie, 20 to 20, and Vice President Hobart cast
the deciding vote against the proposition
The vote was preceded by three hours and
a half of debate, the senate having convened
at IL a. m, in order to admit of discussion on
the resolution.
The Bacon amendment read THAT
the United States hereby disclaims any dis
position or intention to exercise permanent
sovereignty, jurisdiction control over said
islands, and asserts its determination when
a stable and Independent government shall
have been erected there, entitled in the
Judgment of the United States to recognition
terms which shall be reasonable and just,
all rights secured under the cession by
Spain. and to thereupon leave the govern
saens2 2saHds optgol Of taas Islands to .theis2
peoples
MIR. Stewart first took the floor 10 speak in
opposition. He expressed the opinion that
whatever the United States might do It
would not follow the policy indicated by the
resolution. This country was under no obli-
CATION to go 10 the expense of estabishng a
government for the islands, the United States
were not in the business of capturing coun-
tries, educating their people and then selling
them. On the contrary he thought we
should hold the Philippines and thus render
the United States independent OF other coun-
tries in the production of tropical products
which must otherwise be a source of great
expense Now 1t costs $3.50, 900, 900 to secure
these products. why not, therefore, hold
these islands and produce our own fruits,
etc?" he asked.
Mr.. Lindsay also expressed the opinion that
the time was inauspicious for the adoption of
any resolution bearing upon the subject of
the government OF the Philippines, but said
that If any expression were to be given it
should be clear and distinct and unmis-
taxable in terms. Mr.. Lindsay offered
!, substitute reciting that the acquisition of
to admit 1t as state
Mr. Lindsay gave notice that he would ask
the senate to vote on his resolution soon
las the senate had voted on the McEnery
resolution.
Declares II "Nicious Declaration"
Mr.. Bacon then addressed the senate in
opposition to the McEnery resolution. He
declared that 1t was a vicious and unfor-
tunate declaration. He maintained that The
resolution meant nothing favorable TO the
Filipinos. 1t did not look to the future
freedom and safe government OF the Phil
ippines. lie regarded 1t as simply a deca-
ration that while the Filipinos were sub
jects of this country they could never be-
come citizens of the United States.
Mr.. Hoar was opposed TO the McEnery
resolution. because IL gave no hope of free
dom or liberty or self-government to the
inhabitants of the Philippines and because
it provided that they should never have a
part in their own government ever be-
come a part of the United States
1t was. he said, an infamous declaration
simply that the Louisiana sugar planters
should never be afraid OF the competition OF
the Philippine islands. To the Filipinos
the McEnery resolution would be a mes
sage of tyranny, of hate, OF oppression and
OF slaughter. Mr.. Hoar reverted to refer
ences in speeches referring TO Aguinaldo
and then entered upon defense of the
Filipino leader. He spoke OF Aguinaldo''
appeal to the people of the United States
as so remarkable to be capable OF being
drafted by mot ten men this planet"
Il do not see" said Mr.. Hoar, feelingly
"how any American heart not of stone
could fail 10 recognize the force OF that ap-
peal"
MIR, Hoar said he was perfectly satisfied
with his course in the whole question re-
gardng the Philippines, but that he was
right
Il am satisfied" said he, Ito stand will
the fathers who founded our liberty anC
framed our constitution"
Mr.. Hale said he had not much hope tina
the senate would take any course thai
would stop the desolating program now be-
ing carried out in the Philippines.
Hardly had the treaty been ratified how
ever, before foreign war was precipitated
Il am not disappointed" he said Il an
not inclined to say. L told you So but
told senators when the treaty was rattle,
that 1t would be impossible TO take an
steps to alleviate the condition OF tn
Pilipinos. Congress win adjourn and tn
war will go on, and there is not man Wit
will not realize In three months that il /
war of conquest and subjugation."
| He said that Admiral Dewey and Genera
Merritt had said that in three months no
5000 troops would be needed In the Philip
pines yet We now had 10000 men there an
1000 more and the battleship Oregon OF
the way.
"And yet." declared Mr. Hale I'VE ar,