The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-31
THE evils TO Be FEARED
Mr.. Bacon's Estimate Of the Re-
suits of Colonial Policy.
A Standing Army of one Hundred
Thousand Men Anticipnted-OHicia
dictcd-Tbc Philippines ..ot Ncccs-
sary to Ensure the Trade of china.


TO the Philippine Islands. He said that
those resolutions. when reduced TO their
final analysis. where declaration on the
part of the United States that it is Its
purpose and intention 10 give TO the Phil
ippine Islands the same character of gov
eminent, the same opportunities, the same
assistance the same right TO independ-
enoe as was pledged in the case Of Cuba.
when we stood before the world, he
said. about TO break its peace. we called
upon the world 10 witness the purity OF our
motives and the absolute unselfshness with
which we proceeded in that solemn mo-
ment II will be observed that the reso-
buttons now before the Senate provide for
the continued effort of the United States
Government to restore peace and order in
the Philippine Islands and do not propose
any action by the Senate
Mr.. Spooner asked Mr.. Bacon II he
thought that the United States Government
would. in face OF its declaration In regard
10 Cuba, be justified in demanding indem-
nifty from Spain at the end of the war.
Mr. Bacon replied that he did not think
the United States would have been barred
from other kinds of indemnity; he did
think, however, that in good faith the
United States stood pledged before the
world not to reap advantage from that war.
But" he added, IF all that has been
said about the vast wealth of the archi-
pelago be true, then its retention as an
Indemnity is rather extravagant demand"
MIR. Bacon argued that the acquisition Of
territory where there could be no state
hood. no independent local government,
could only be created a dependent and
subject colony, dependent on the wi of
the general government, and subject to its
arbitrary power. What" he exclaimed.
shall be said OF an expansion which is
simply an expansion of territory, which
does not carry with il an extension of cur
political system, our political principles,
and our political ideals? What shall be
said Of an expansion by the acquisition OF
territory where IL is not intended that
there shall be statehood and where Il is I
impossible that there can ever be state I
hood, with the rights of citizenship in a
state-where IL is not intended, and where .
IL is not possible that the inhabitants Of 4
the acquired territory shall ever be equal (
participants with Ourselves in the making .
of the laws Of the general government?
THE advocates Of the permanent re- |
tention OF the Philippines do not like 10
hear the term 'vassal' Nevertheless enc T
who is subject OF government in which
be has no voice, who only has such liberty
as the government may grant him, and .
which itself may be taken from him at
the will of the government, is a vassal,
And that is the only political relation the
Filipino can ever bear TO the United
States, The advocates of permanent re-
tention do not like the term Imperialism
Nevertheless whenever a republic owns
outlying provinces to be held permanently
as dependent colonies. never to be adj
nitted as part of the republic in the CON
troll and administration o. the government
that republic is TO that extent imperial"
Mr.. Bacon expressed the hope that Sena-
tors would address themselves to that
question which stood above all party ques-
tons He spoke of the absolute certainty
OF large standing army, and predicted
that within eighteen months there would
be permanent standing army OF 4 hum
dred thousand men Without the acuul-
sition of the Philippine Islands, he said.
there would be no need OF large stand
ing army, but with that acquisition there
would be not only an excuse, but neces-
sity for Il.
Mr. President" he continued there
in addition the inevitable evils attend
ing distant subject colonies-the corrup-
lions Of officials. their tsrannies, and their
of an unwilling people and their bloody
suppressions. such as contribute the dark
page in the history OF every country which
las by force dominated and controlled a
subject race.
But, Mr.. President, il is said thar all
of these evils will be compensated for In
the fact that the possession of the Philip
pines will open and secure for us the trade
of the Orient If there ever was a propo-
.fss alnp as~rr- .a-f4l
tain 1t, II is this one II there could have
ever been any argument upon which 1t
could rest il has been entirely removed
by the agreement which has been made by
all of the European governments that for
us the open door shall remain in China.
and that we shall have equal privileges
with all other nations for our commerce
there. What more than this could we get
II we owned every Pacific island and har-
Dor on the Asiatic coast?
NO. Mr.. President, the claim that the
Philippines are necessary to our trade in
the Orient. is delnsion and snare set
20 catch the feet Of the hasty and the I'M
wary.
Docs anyone believe that this desire
for empire will be stated with the acoui
sition and retention il the Philippine Is
lands? Why should it? The thirst Of en- {
pire is no new thing. II is like the desire
for human blood. 1t is wrong for us to :
take Hawaii. 1t was much worse for us
TO acquire the Philippines. The desire for
empire is not TO be stated. There IL no
reason TO think We will call halt; and in
steEi OF an army of 100000, 2co. 600, or
500. 900 men. we will want one equal to the
armaments of Europe"
Nj. Spooner asked Mr.. Bacon whether
he had not voted for an increase of the
army in the last Congress.
Certainly" Mr.. Bacon replied.
In order that the President might en-
ploy the army In the Philippines" Mr.. |
Spooner persisted.
Il certainly did" Mr. Bacon repeated.
Here is my speech on that occasion"
Yes" said Mr.. spooner. ironically,
you made very loyal and patriotic
speech" laughter
In the course of a long coloquy with
several Senators MIR. Bacon was asked by
81. Spooner what theory he proposed
that declaration should be made by this
Congress which could in any way bind a
subsequent Congress. Mr.. Bacon replied
that it was exactly the same as with the
declaration made on the eve of the war
with Spain, which II was in the power OF
this Congress TO disregard and 10 take
and hold Cuba.
We own the philippines and do not own
Cuba" Mr.. Ell1ins put in.
Mr. Teller said that he should not deem
II beneath the dignity of this great Gov
eminent TO accept propositions OF peace
from the Filipinos.
do you not think" Mr. Hoar asked.
that an assurance of that purpose would
tend very strongly to bring about peace?"
Il have some doubts about that" MIR.
Teller replied, but when this war is
closed we stand before the world commit
ny fn oil l