The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-18
Secretary Gage Again Attacked I'm the
House by sulxer and Missourf's
Funny Man, Champ Clark.
DEFENDED BY MR.. sIBLEY
DEMOCRAT WHO THINKS THE SEC
RETARY's ACTIONS WERE PROPER.
A Missfssippfan Who Is Opposed 40
Mckinley, but Who IL Patriotic In
His Devotion to the Flag.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l7.--An agreement
was easily reached in the Senate -to-cay
TO take the final vote on the pending bill
fixing gold as the standard OF value in the
United States on Feb Is
After several days of debate the dragnet
resolution OF inquiry regarding the con-
duct Of the Philippine war was adopted.
1t was introduced by Mr.. Hoar. and prac-
tically was adopted as general substitute
for resolutions of a similar. but less ex-
tended character offered by Mr.. Pettigrev
and Mr. Lodge Beyond vigorous speech
by Mr.. Pettigrew the resolution aroused
debate, as IL is within the discretion OF the
President to send or not TO send any Of
the information requested. In The course
of his speech Mr.. Pettigrew declared that
he had received information since the ie-
PRODUCTION Of the resolution which assured
him OF the facts he had asserted --Ths
blood of every soldier" said he, who has
fallen since the war began. is on the hands
Of the administration. The blood Of the
sixty soldier boys of South Dakota who
lost their lives after being conscriptei into
an unwilling service after their terms had
expired. lies at the doors OF the admin
istration and there Is no escape from Il.
1 charge that the censorship OF the press
and suppression OF facts are COR the pur-
pose of advancing the political ambitions
OF Mr.. Mckinley. If this action" said Mr..
Pettigrew, put the a5ministration in q
hole, as ii was stated. IL was not his fuuSt-s
Mr.. Pettigrew reverted to the assertion
that the acquisition OF the PhidbDines was
brought about by the at cf God, but he
said the only way he could see Gods
hand I'm the work was that Coo must have
used Mr. Mckinley as 4 prophet or ap-
peared 20 the President in a vision.
The resolution offered toy M. Hale
(NIalne) as TO The seizure OF lour by the
British authorities Was adopted. but only
after a spirited debate and after the reso-
luton had been materially amended Mr..
Davis, chairman of the committee on for
eign relations. made sharp attack on
the resolution. but Withdrew his objections
after 1t had been amended The resolution
as it passed the Senate, reads:
whereas IL is alleged that property OF
citizens of the United States. not contra
band of war, has been lately seized by the
military authorities of Great Britain in and
near Delagoa bay, South Africa, without
good reason for the same. and contrary
to the accepted principles OF international
law, and,
Whereas IL is alleged said property
Is now unjustly detained by the military
authorities of Great Britain. I'm disregard
of the rights OF the owners Of the same:
therefore
Resolved. by the Senate of the United
States that the President is hereby re-
quested to send to the Senate, IL I'm his
opinion, not incompatible with the public
interest, all information in the possession
of the State Department relating 10 said
a a tzo
inform the Senate what steps have been
taken I'm requesting the restoration OF
property taken and detained as aforesaid" !"
The discussion of the question as TO
whether food products were ever contra
band of war was precipitated by question
of Mr.. Lodge. sir. Hale was OF opinion
that it would take a very extreme case
to make -four contraband of war. but he
could conceive that IT might be in certain
| circumstances. Such an admission in his
| opinion, however, would be fraught with
great danger to the United States now and
| in future. He did not imagine the State
| Department was doing anything that
would get us into trouble, but he wanted
to know what was being done
Mr.. Platt said the resolution amend-
| ed was not objectionable in form, but
he deemed it unwise 20 adopt IL while the
subject was pending between the State
Department and the diplomatic officials OF
Great Britain. AT such a 5uncture he
| thought the Senate ought not 10 interfere.
He felt that the negotiations were being
conducted properly ana energeticaIly on
| the part of our government.
Mr.. Tillman called attention 10 the ship
ment of mules to the British forces in
South Africa from ports OF the United
| States. the government taking no pains
to prevent II.
Mr.. Platt replied there was no Inhibition
against the shipment OF such supplies TO
| the British The shippers made the ship
ments at their own risks
Mr. Foraker suggested that the resolu-
| ton be directeu 10 the President instead
| of to the secretary of state. but Mr.. Hale
with some heat declined 10 accept any
| further amendments.
Mr. Foraker then moved that the resolu-
| ton be amended as he had suggested and
| the motion prevailed. Without further con-
| troversy .he resolution as amended was
passed.
Mr.. Pettigrew's resolution. calling for In
| formation from the secretary OF war as
| 10 the fiscal operations n Cuba introduced
Yesterday was passed without debate.
A bill relating TO Cubas, vessels, reported
| bv the commerce committee. was called up
| by Mr. Berry and passed.
Mr. Teller (silver Republican, Colorado)
| then addressed the Senate on the financial
bill and will continue his speech to-
morrow.