New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-17
DUTY IN THE PHILIPPINES
SENATORS M'ENERY AND STEWART PRE-
SENT THEIR VIEWS DEMoCRATs
TO CONTINUE OPPOSITION.
Tar TELEGRAPH 70 TIE rs1nuyE. !


Washington Feb 16.-Mr. McEnerv. Of r,ouisf-
ana, the author Of the resolution nassed nv the
Senate last February in EXPLANATION of its mo-
tives and purposes in ratifytnR the Treaty Of
Peace with Spain, elaborated to-day In the
upper mouse the views he held then and holds
now regarding American policy in the Philip
pines Inc Louisiana Senator has no sympathy
with those leaders in his own party who are
clamoring for abandonment of American
title 10 the Philippines and the immediate
recognition in the islands Of an opera boutfe
TagaIog republic. Judge McEnery sees no ca
pacity in the Tagal for self-governnent, and
can find no justification for AguinaIdo's efforts
to upset American authority and establish
native military despotism. The permanent re-
tention Of the Philippines is opposed by him.
however on various political and Industrial
grounds. and in his view the United States
would avoid many embarrassing problems by
setting up civil order there from which Auaeri-
can interests could in time be more and more
divorced
II Is the duty OF this Government, now that
We are established on those islands" said Mr.
McEnery, TO asssrt its authority over the FIJI
pines. I know nobody who believes otherwise
! believe ought 10 vote all the money, men
and ships necessary 10 put down those who dis
pute the authority Of this country I am op-
TO have disturbed those people in the place
where God made and placed them Ny belief is
that God Himself will solve the problem by de-
stroying the inferior races"
Mr. McEnery complimented the efforts Of the
President 10 establish civil government in the
Islands, and believed it was an object lesson
from which the Filipinos might learn much. He
said in conclusion that he would regard II as ex-
trenely unfortunate for the islands-to be con-
sidered e part Of the United States, for If the
Constitution and laws Of this country were e1-
tended over them the inhabitants would be-
come citizens OF the United States. and We would
try had suffered by the Acknowledgement OF the
negroes.
Senator Stewart Of Nevada who followed
Judge McEnery vigorously defended the policy
under which the United States has acquired new
territory from time TO time, and advocated e
continuance toward Hawaii and Puerto Rice
and theoretically toward the Philippines, Of that
programme Of absorption into full community Of
privileges and citizenship which had been pur-
sued toward the earlier territorial acquisitions
made from France, Spain and Mexico.
The Democratic Senators were in caucus some
time this afternoon discussing the general line to
be pursued in opposing the policy OF the Repub-
Dcans regarding the island possessions Of the
them. The discussion was general in character
and further than the determination to continue
the opposition nothing definite was decided. The
committee appointed at the last caucus was di-
rected TO confer with the Democrats Of the
House on the same subject, with g view Of hav-
ing Democratic action IN both houses on the
same line.