The Iola register., 1900-02-23


the Danish West Indies.
Washington, Feb. 19.-The initial
steps in the democratic plan of oppo-
sitiOn to the administration policy
IN the Philippines have been taken.
The democratic senatorial caucus has
instructed committee to evolve
plan of action and report at caucus,
which will be called some day next
week The bitter hostility to cXpan-
Sion found on the democratic side of
the chamber had full play at this con-
ference. Every proposition advanced
by the administration looking to the
control and government of the arch
ipelago was condemned. Home rule
and "A free and Independent Filipino
republic were insisted upon. The
Bacon resolution seemed to meet
with general approval, and it is prob
able that the democratic campaign
will be fought out along the lines sug-
gested in that resolution. There may
be some modification of the text, but
in the main it represents democratic
thought and sentiment in the senate.
1t calls for the suppression of the re-
bellion and "a declaration to the Fill
pinos that this government intends
to permit them to control their own
affairs. 1t declares for the establish
ment of a stable government on the
island by the United States after
peace has been restored and the or
ganization of Filipino republic, gov
erned by and for the Filipinos them
selves, the United States exercising a
protectorate over them to the extent
of guaranteeing their independence
and assuring the powers that it is the
intention of this government to main
tain the independence of the archi
pelago republic. The cardinal prin-
ciple of the democratic doctrine is
the absolute withdrawal of the United
States and a complete surrender of all
sovereignty in the archipelago.
I" Fortify the Nicaragua Canal
Washington, Feb. 10.-The house
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce has reported the bill for
the construction and ownership of
the Nicaragua canal and for it's forts
fications. Accompanying the bill is
the committees report prepared by
Chairman Hepburn, in which he Wig
orously discusses the right of the
United States to own and defend the
canal. Mr.. Hepburn declares that the
Clay treaty is dead. The
administration has taken the ground
that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty is
still effective. 1t was solely on this
account that Secretary Hay nego-
tjated the treaty with Lord Paunce-
fote that is now before the senate.
This treaty provides for the abroga-
ton of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
with the exception of the article that
made the canal neutral and forbade
its fortification. The administration
has been criticised for revising this
provision of the old treaty but so far
has shown no sign of retreating from
the position assumed. The report of
the committee, therefore, although it
is made by republicans, is in direct
antagonism to the administration.
Even Senator Morgan, the father of
the fortified canal project in the sen-
ate, has supported the Hay treaty, so
that the house committees action is
the more surprising.
Reports ON Demented Soldiers.
Washington, Feb. 19.-Adit, Gen.
Corbin recently ordered an investiga-
tion of the reports that 250 demented
soldiers had been sent across the con
tinent during the last three months
for treatment at the government hos
pital for the insane near this city, and
that over 200 more soldiers were eX-
pected to arrive at San Francisco
shortly from Manila. He has just re-
ceived a report on the subject, show
ing that the stories were eXagger-
ated. Of the total numebr treated at
the hospital only 81 men served in the
Philippines, and of these II have been
discharged as cured. There was not a
single insane patient among nearly
27O invalid soldiers just brought home
on the hospital ship Missouri.
? Negotiating for the Danish West indies.
Washington, Feb. 19.-No official
concealment is now made of the fact
that the governments of the United
States and Denmark are in CORE
J spondence concerning the transfer OF
the Danish West Indies to the United