Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-11
THE ISLANDS.
Resolution by Beveridge De-
clares Philippines Are Ours.
BRILLIANT SPEECH.
Indiana Senator in an Able Address
Advocates His Resolution-The
Islands Ours to do as We
Please With Them.

Please With Them.
Washington, Jan. 9.-(By Associated
Press. "A resolution by Allen, asking
information from the secretary of war
as to the transports in use by the Unit
ed States, the persons from whom ac-
CURED, prices paid, ETC.. was adopted.
Beveridge, of Indiana, then addressed
the senate on his resolution declaring
the Philippines American territory
and that the United States proposed to
retain possession of them. He was
greeted by a brilliant audience. Every
gallery was crowded and he was given
close attention thruout.
Senator Beveridge said in part:
"The times call for candor. The
Philippines are ours forever, territory
of the United States as the constitu-
ton calls them. And just beyond the
Philippines are China's illimitable
markets. 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 to
our work. not bowling out regrets like
slaves whipped to their burdens, but
with gratitude for task worthy of
our strength, and thanksgiving to Al
mighty God that He has marked us
as His chosen people, henceforth to
lead in the regeneration of the
world
This island empire is the last land
left in all the oceans. If it should prove
a mistake to abandon it, the blunder
once made would be irretrievable. II
it proves a mistake TO hold it, the error
can be corrected when we will, every
other progressive nation stands ready
to relieve us.
But to hold it will be no mistake.
Our largest trade henceforth must be,
with Asia. The Pacific is our ocean.
More and more Europe will ananufac-
tufe all it. needs-secure from its col
onies the most it consumes. Where
shall we turn for consumers: of our
surplus? geography answers the ques-
ton. China is our natural customer.
She is nearer to us than to England,
Germany, or Russia, the commercial
powers of the present and of. the flu
ture. They have moved nearer to Chi
ma by securing permanent bases on
her borders. The Philippines give, us
a base at the door of all the east.
Lines of navigation from our; ports to
the Orient and Australia from the
Isthmian canal to Asia; from all
Oriental points to Australia converge
at and separate from the Philippines.
They are a self-supporting, dividend
paying fleet. permanently anchored at
a spot selected bv the strategy of prov
idence, commanding the Pacific. And
the Pacific is the ocean of the com
merce of the future. Most future wars
will be conflicts for commerce. The
power that rules the Pacific, therefore,
is the power that rules the world, and,
with the Philippines that power is
and forever VIII be the. American re-
public.
1.-TWO years ago there was no land
in all the world which we could occu-
Ply for any purpose. Our commerce
was daily turning toward the Orient,
and geography and trade developments
made necessary our commercial en-
pire over the Pacific. And in that
ocean we had no commercial, naval or
military base. Today we have one of
the three great ocean possessions of
the globe, located at the most COM
manding commercial, naval and mill
tary points in the eastern seas, within
hail of India, shoulder to shoulder with
China, richer in its own resources than
any equal body of land on the entire
globe, and peopled by race which
civilization demands shall be improved.
Shall we abandon it? That man little
knows the common people OF the re-
public, little understands the instincts
of our race, who thinks we will not
hold it fast and hold it forever, adj
ministering just government by sim
plest methods. We may trick up de-
vices to shift our burden and lessen
our opportunities. They will avail us
nothing but delay. We may tangle
condition by apply, academic arrange
ments of self-goyernment to crude
situation: their failure will drive US
to our duty in the end
After referring to the value of Chi
mas trade, the resources and immense
size of the islands, the, climate, the
character of the people, and to Agui-
naldo, Senator Beveridge spoke of the
military situation, defending General
Otis. The campaign, he said, had been
as perfect as possible with the force at
/ hand.
eve have been delayed, first, by a
| failure to comprehend the immensely
of our acquisition, and, second, by in
sufficient force; and, third, by our eff
forts for peace. A lasting peace can
be secured only by overwhelming
forces in ceaseless action until univer-
sal and absolutely final defeat is in
ficted on the enemy.
sour mistake has not been cruelty;
it has been kindness. 1t has been the
application to Spanish Malays of meth
DDS appropriate to New England. Ey-
cry device of mercy, every method OF
Cancellation has been employed by the
,,a, NJ, louipcr ,,racidanS nf fha A