Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-23
RIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
SENATOR SPOONER ADDRESSES THE
SENATE AT LENGTH
The Islands. He Maintains, Were
Gained by Conquest and
Not by Purchaxe.

Mr.. Spooner (Wis.) did not conclude his
speech on the Philippines yesterday after
neon. yielding the floor until today in order
that other business might be considered.
Late in the afternoon Senator Carter Of
Montana presented the credentials of Sena-
tor Clark of his state. They were allowed
to lie on the table.
After The Stars report of the proceedings
was closed yesterday afternoon Mr.. Spoo-
ner entered upon a discussion of the con-
situtional phases of the Philippine dues-
| ton, particularly as related to the acquis-
ton of the islands He denied the asser-
ton of ex-Secretary Day that the islands
had not been conquered, but had been ac-
quired by purchase. He held that the pro-
tocol proved that the United States had
and they had been yielded by Spain under
protest and to conquering power
Not Much of an InsurrectiOn.
Mr.. Spooner said that the instruction of
1898 was not much of an Instruction and
he was not prepared to say that any of the
money paid to the Spanish to secure peace
had been appropriated by Aguinado to his
own personal purposes. The Filipnos had
surrendered their arms He repeated that
the instruction was of little consequence,
which led Mr.. Tilman to interject the re-
IndTk tldt 1t WdS true tlldl lLe Itt-
ton of that date was not equal to that
OF the present time
Wen have more" responded Mr.. Spoo-
ner, eff the democrats can't help US
Continuing. he said that the so-caled
Philippine republic in existence when our
troops first invaded Manila was not such
as to command our recognition. as mad
been claimed was due. There was in reali-
ty no Philippine nation. and it would have
been absurd for us to attempt to recognize
that which was claimed to be such. 1t was
idle to say that Aguinaldo had conquered
the Spanish: he had only conquered where
there was no resistance. His warfare had
been predatory one: but for the arrival
of Dewey. Aguinaldo would have RENAME :
In Hong Kong and the Filipinos would. but
for that event be still subjects of Spain.
Hence there had been no conquest of the
Philippine people; the conquest had been
conquest of Spain only. and the taking of
the islands over had been in the interest of
the Filipnos themselves.
Replying to Mr. Tillman Mr.. Spooner said
our $1,000 troops were in the Philippines for
the purpose of maintaining order in terri
tory which had been acquired by the United
States. He referred to the resolutions in
troduced by Mr.. Bacon a recognition of
the acquisition of title by conquest.
Mr.. Bacon said in response that he be-
lieved that while the United States had
originally purchased a poor title. it now
had good title, which had been made so
by the conquest of the army of the [ nited
States.
President Could Do No Less.
The United States having acquired the
Philippines by the treaty of Paris. Mr..
Spooner continued. the President could do
no less than send troops to that archipela-
go. Had he not taken this course he would
have been subject to unanswerable criti-
cism. He could not have asked Aguinaldo
for an armistice.
Say what you choose" Mr.. Spooner ex-
claimed, "about the President. he has been
has done his duty and done it In a way
to impress on the Filipinos his desire and
the desire of the American people to do
them good-to give them the largest liberty
possible-and he has done 1t in disregard of
hostile criticism at home, he has done
what, under his oath. he was obliged to do:
he has sent United States troops to enforce
the authority Of the United States over ter
ritory of the United States
Mr.. CIark's Credentials.
Here Mr.. Spooner suspended his remarks
until today and Mr.. Carter took advantage
of the lull to present the credentials of Mr..
Clark as senator from Montana under
the appointment of Acting Governor
Spriggs of that state The credentials con-
sisted of the governors certificate of ap-
pointment. Mr.. Carter simply asked that
the certificate be read and laid on the table.
The certificate was accordingly read and
allowed to lie upon the table. The incident
created ripple of interest in the Senate
but caused no further remarks
A bill appropriating S165. 900 for public
building in Elizabeth, n. j.. was passed.
Then, after brief executive session, the
Senate, at p. M, adjourned.