The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-25
VICTORY FOR THE
= BROWN DEBATERS.
Our Philippine Policy Discussed
With the Boston University De-
baters at Boston Last Evening.

Isaac Rich Hall. on Ashburton place,
Boston. was filled last evening. on the
occasion Of the joint debate between
Brown University and Bosto. Univer-
sity. and for two hours the question:
"Resolved. That II is the plain duty of
the United States to accord full and
complete independence 10 the Philip
pine Islands at the earliest moment
consistent with their permanent well
fare" was warmly and ably debated,
the Brown men being finally declared
the winners.
Boston University c-ose the question.
and Brown, having the choice OF sides,
took the negative. The speakers for
Boston University were John &. Had
lock OF New York city, Thornton s.
Alexander OF Buffalo. N. Y, and Fred
:. Hewitt OF South Weymouth. with
Everett N. Curtis of Camden, Me-. as
alternate. The representatives of Brown
were Clifford S. Anderson, Charles Il.
Fernald and Albert l.. Scott, with II. >.
Chase and w. NJ. Smart as altefn0tes. p
The Hon. Arthur III. Wellman. acting
as temporary chairman, introduced
Mayor Hart as the presiding officer.
The Judges were Hon. Moorfield Storey,
Hon. James f. Cotter and Judge Edgar
j. Sherman OF the Superior court. Each
speaker was allowed IL minutes, with
five minutes for rebuttal. Boston Unl-
vets.ty spoke first in the main speeches
and had the final speech in rebuttal.
John G. Hadlock, speaking for the az
firmative, opened the debate. He said.
in part: 1--WE assume that we have the
right TO keep the islands and develop
them, establish a permanent and stable
government over them. and we also as
sumo that. from a constitutional ana
legal point OF view. we may keep them
Ig.tf ifape al
the question arises what we ought 10
do with them. when the time arrives
that they will be better of Independent
than under our government.The aflrm-
ative intend 10 prove three propositions.
First. that. at such time, we owe a
moral duty to the Filipinos themselves
10 give them their independence; Sec
ond. that there would be little advan-
hage to the United states In retaining
them: third. that they would be dis
advantage TO us in some ways ,,,
eft is our duty to say To the f1lpi-
nos: We want you TO nave your III
dependence, and we will do everything
in our power TO assist you In the nee
essary education and experience ior
self-coyernment and when we have
confidence in your capacity FOR SELF
government, We will gladly grant II TO
you. -.
clifford s. Anderson. the first speak
er on the negative said. in part: The
permanent industrial and economic
welfare will bs as well assured with
the United States in control as III they
shall be independent. So long as the
islands are a part of our country. we
have a direct interest TO maintain
trade relations with them. But should
the Philippines become independent.
matters of policy. or even actual hos
fility of interests. might intervene TO
curtail or abolish this trade. Again.
the change Of government from a part
Of the US,ited States to an independent
nation will not be altogether beAeficent
to the Filipinos. Again, the highest
welfare OF a nation demands that II
should be able to maintain and be al
lowed its rights with or against other
nations This the F'ilipipos could not
we'll do, being scattered throughout