Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-01-09
Indiana Senator Delivers His
Long Expected
Speech.
ON THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION
Hoosier's Maiden Effort is in
Behalf Of Imper-
ialism.

Washington, Jan. 9.-In the senate
today Senator Bcveridge. Of Indiana,
made his long anticipated speech on
the subject of the Philippines and in
support of his resolution deciar
ing it the purpose of the United
States to retain possession of and
govern the archipelago. In view of
the fact that the senator has visited
the islands in the past year and has
50 studiously avoided giving express
sion TO his views or rehecting his i'm
pressions. unusual interest IL attached
To his speech.
Senator Beveridgc said in part:
The times call for candOr. The
Philippines are ours forever. ter
ritory belonging to the United
States as the constitution calls
them. And just beyond the Philip.
pines are Chiua'5 illimitable MARKERS
We will not retreat from either We
will not repudiate our duty in the
archipelago. We will not abandon
our opportunity in the orient. We
will not renounce our part in the
mission of our race. trustee, under
God, of the civilization of the world
And we will move forward 10 our
work, not bowling our regrets like
slaves whipped to their burdens, but
with gratitude for a task worthy of
our strength, and thanksgiving to
Almighty God that He has marked
us as His chosen people. henceforth
TO lead in the regeneration of the
world.
Last in the Oceans.
This island empire is the last land
left in all the oceans. If it should
prove a mistake to abandon it, the
biunder once made would be irretrIev-
able. If il proves a mistake to mold
it, the error can be corrected when
we will; every other progressive ma
ton stands ready to relieve MS. But
TO hold it will be no mistake. Our
largest trade henceforth must be with
Asia. The Pacific is our bcean. More
and more Europe will manufacture
all il needs-Secure from its colonies
the most ii consumes. Where shall
we turn for consumers of Oursurplus?
topography answers the question.
China i our natural customer. She
is nearer To us than to England. Ger
many or Russia, the commercial pow
ers of the present and the future.
They have moved nearer to China by
securing permanent bases on her bor-
dcrs. Inc Philippines give us base
:tt the door of ali the east. Lines of
navigation from our ports TO the
orient and Australia; from the 18TH
mian canal 20 Asia; from all oriental
points 10 Australia, converge 1T and
separate from the Philippines. They
are sclf-suPporting, divide nd-paying
ileet, permanently anchored ut Il spot
selected by the strategy of providence,
commanding the Pacific. And the
Pacific is the ocean of the commerce
of the future. Most future wars will
he conflicts for commerce. The power
that rules the Pacific, therefore. is
the power that rules the world. and.
with the Philippines. that power i
and will forever be the American re
public.
Two years ago there was no land |
in all the world which we could occu
py for any purpose. Our commerce |
was daily turnin" toward the orient. |
aud geography and trade dcSCl i
mcnts made necCS <ary our cJmm r |
cial empire over the Pacific. Amt in |
that ocean We hail no commercial !
naval ur military base. Todal we
have one of the three great ocean pos
sessions of The globe, located A. the
most commanding commercial. naval |
aud military points in the eastern |
seas. within hail Of India. shoulder ,u |
shoulder with China. richer III L = own |