The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-29
LEFT TO M KINLEY
Probable Course of Congress on
Philippine Question.
There Is Division Among
Senate Republicans.
FOR CONSERVATISM.
FOR
CONSERVATISM.
The President Favors an Ad-
Vanced Position.
But Certain Senators Will
Block This Action.

Washington, Jan 29.-Shal1 the Re
publican party declare in its national
convention at Philadelphia in favor of
permanent retention of the Philippines,
or shall it go into the campaign in
such way as to leave that question to
be determined in the future? This is
a problem now agitating the leaders of
that party, both in the administration
and in congress.
President Mckinley favors advanced
ground. In the speeches which he made
during his western tour last autumn he
declared for permanent retention, and
he has seen no reason to change his
views. If anything, he is now stronger
in the faith than he was then. The
success of our policy in China, the vast
trade possibilities opening up in the
east, the known fact that the Filipino
insurrection represents but fractional
part of the people of those islands, all
are in the Philippines to stay.
In congress, too, there is general
recognition of these truths. The men
who believe the American flag is ever
to be pulled down from the Philippines
are small in number and influence If
the Republican party be frank and
candid it win not hesitate to make for
mai declaration of its policy, and this
policy the permanent retention of the
Philippines as an American colony.
But there is no Disgusting the fact
that just now a wave of conservatism
as to our colonial policy is running
through the Republican party in con-
gress. 1t is believed the timidity of the
hour is natural reaction due to the
newness and difficulty of the problems
with which the party is confronted.
This conservatism finds its expression
in the following manifestations among
the Republicans of the senate:
l. An unwillingness to go farther as
to the Philippines than to pass the
SpOOner bill, placing control of the ISL
ands in the hands of the president.
?. A Discrimination to adopt any reso-
buttons whatever declaring future in
tentions.
3. Serious discussion as to whether
the Republican national convention
should go farther than congress and de-
clare a future policy.
f. A growing probability that free
trade with Puerto Rico and the cree
ton of that island into a territory may
be defeated.
The Republicans of the senate are di-
vided into two classes on this Philip
pine question. They agree that we
must put down the rebellion, that we
must restore order and give a good gov
eminent These are the duties of the
hour. But they do not agree as to our
present treatment. of the problem of
the future.
One class says congress should not
only pass the Spooner BILL by law put
OF the ISLANDS the nanQS
OF the executive, but the Republican
party as represented both in congress
and in national convention should de-
clare in favor of permanent retention
boldly and honestly, so that the people
of the United States in supporting the
party may know what they are giving
their votes to, and so also that the peo-
pie of the Philippine islands may know
what the American policy is with re-
gard to their future.
IL f6a
are ours and must remain ours, and
that it is no more necessary for the
Republican party to declare its inten-
ton to hold the Philippines than to
declare it's intention to hold Louisiana
or Alaska; that such retention should
be regarded as a matter of course, and
that if the issue is to be raised it
should be raised by the opposition; that
tory, the only way they can be dis
posed of is by act of congress, and if
anyone wishes to give away or sell the
islands let him come forward with
bill for that purpose.
1t is obvious enough that the Repub-
licans of the senate are divided more
on questions of political expediency
than on principles. That the United
States is permanently to retain the
Philippines almost every Republican
believes, but a presidential campaign
is on this year, and there are differ
ences of opinion as to what is the
wisest course to pursue.
Those who advocate an open and
frank policy point to the gold plank of
1896 as an example of the value of
candor in politics. The other side say
a colonial policy, with all its compli-
cations, is too new a thing, too much
of a shock, to be both rapidly and pru-
IDENTIFY developed, and that we must go
slow, feel our way, make as few mis-
takes as possible, and educate our peo-
pie as we go along. They claim, more
over, that it is the business of congress
to legislate, not to declare Intentions
and that a declaration of intention
means nothing at best, because no flu
ture congress can be bound by it.
The plain truth is that the Republi-