The age-herald., 1900-02-06
SENATOR CAFFERY
 ON EXPANSION Made a New Proposition in the
 Philippine Question. TURN THE FILlPIN0S LOOSE He Said Wherever Territory Was Ac- quired if There Was Germ of Gov ernment United States Could
 Not Govern Them
TURN THE FILIPINOS LOOSE

Washington, February 5.-Senator Caf- fiery, of Louisiana in discussion of the Philippine question in the senate today h-oke new ground in developing his posi- tion as an anti-eXpansionist.
 In response to a question as to what in the present circumstances he would do with the Filipinos, he said with charae- teristic courage of conviction:
 Turn 'em loose as soon as we can get rid of them. That would be better for them and infinitely better for us"
 MT Cafferys argument was mainly 1 discussion of the constitutional questions. He maintained that the constitution extends absolutely over the Fnipinos and that they were entitled to all the rights and pr.vi- leges of citizens of the United States guar anteed by the constitution.
 Soon after the senate convened today, Senator Foraker. of Ohio, chairman of the committee on Pacific islands and Porto Rico. reported bill providing a form of government for Porto Rico.
 MT. Gallinger, of New Hampshire, pre- scented a statement of the views of him. self and MT. Perkins, of California, dis senting in part from the majority report.
 The following bills were passed
 To create a new division of tLle eastern judicial district of Tennessee and to change the times and places of the district courts of the northern districts of Texas.
 A resolution offered by Mir. Pettus, of Alabama, inquiring of the secretary of the navy if he had declined to supply the court of claims information relative to national court martial was passed.
 Caff,ry on iho Philippines
 MT. Caffery, of Louisiana, then spoke on the Philippine question. He dissented from the proposition that this country should take over the Philippines as pro- posed by Mr. Bever.dge He maintained that under the constitution the Fiipinos were citizens of the United States "entire- ly, completely, absolutely
 "They became so," he declared, "by the annexation of the Philippines by the United States and by the fact that the flag of this government floats over the islands, as she carries its citizenship wherever it floats."
 MT. Caffery maintained that in the Phil ippines there was, when our forces arrived there, Filipino government-"a defacto government" declared Mir. Caffery, but that has been destroyed by fire and sword, for the soldiers of the United States un- equelIed the world in valor and military skill have vanqushed the Filipinos."
 MT. Caffery maintained that whatever territory must be acquired by the United States must be governed by the limitations of the constitution and that the Filipinos were entitled to all privileges that are guaranteed by the constitution to the citi- zens of the United States. He denied that congress could exchange as 1t chose foi the Philippines, saying:
 'It is absolutely assured in my mind that these out lying possessions cannot be gov- erned by the caprice of the unrestricted volition of congress. They must be gov erned in accordance with the constitution or congress will have to usurp powers of government"
 As a War Indemnity
 In answer to Mr. Spooner, he cohtended that, notwithstanding the Philippines were conceded to the United States as a war indemnity, we. as a people that believed that all governments derive their just pow CTS from the consent of the governed, were obliged under the constitution and the declaration of independence to obtain the consent of the people of the territory ex- acted as a war indemnity.
 'Then," said MT. Spooner, i've would have no authority to take Porto Rico if the Porto Ricans objected"
 The Louisiana senator declined to go so far as to admit the proposition, but held that wherever In territory acquired there was government or even a germ of na- tionality the United States have no right to govern the people of the territory.
 "I believe" declared Mir Caffery, "ttat the Fiipinos are more than germ of na- tionality, and l don't believe We can kill them to civilize them or slaughter them to give them freedom.
 Suppose" suggested Mir. Platt of Con- nectbcut, that we should carry war into Mexico and that our forces should enter into and occupy the country. Would We have to consult the MeXicans as to what