Evening star., 1900-12-03
Question Debated by Students of til
COlu bfan UnfYeraifY

question Debated by Students of the
Columbian University.
Whether or not our best interests demand
the permanent retention of the Philippine
Islands as integral territory Of the United
States was the question which inspired spir-
tied debates in University Hall of the Co.
lumbar University Saturday night. The
participants were members of the Debating
Society Of the schools Of law and diplomacy
and the judges were Representatives Champ
Clark of Missouri and James c. Needham
OF California. and Prof. Claiming Rudd Of
Georgia.
Introductory remarks were made by Rob-
ert M. Calfee. the society president, and
Harvey NJ Seldom of Illinois opened the de-
bate by arguing in favor Of retention, de-
claring that 1t would be only a short time
before the natives Of the Philippines would
be assimilated. The possession of the
islands were also necessary, he declared
because 1t would give the nation an oppor-
tInity to hold its own in the movements Of
other powers.
John F. Bethune OF Virginia. in present.
ing negative Views on the question, pointed
out that the Philippines were 1000 miles
distant with a mixed population, which
was composed OF peoples wholly undesirable
to be brought into United States citizenship
L uc war, he SdlQ, naQ already cost $ZOO,
O00,O0O, and no one could estimate what it
would ultimately cost. although 5000
loops were fighting to put down the rebel
lion and establish peace.
Robert Upton Of West Virginia called
attention to the commercial advantages
of the islands. and spoke of their strate-
glcal Importance. The Philippines he said
bring into direct communication with
China, Japan and the other oriental coun-
tries. He also idwelt on some of the points
brought out by the first speaker, and an
severed the arguments advanced by Mr..
Bethune.
Albert R. Stuart of South Carolina. the
second speaker for the negative, quoted ar
grments advanced by Senator Hoar, and
said that trade comes to those who make
the cheapest and best goods. In support
of this he quoted figures showing the large
trade in our favor last year. The inhab-
itants of the islands. he said, can never
be fitted for citizens. and their annexation
as territories" he said. Is only a subter-
fuge. We have already 1O.0000O discon-
tented citizens in our country. he said re-
ferrng to the negroes, and asked is It
right that we should bring in 10000. 900
more.
]. Whitford Riddle of Pennsylvania
closed for the affirmative. and made an elo-
quent address. 1t was necessary he said,
that the United States, provide markets for
goods made in this country. and referred to
the prediction of William H. Seward. made
fifty years ago, which was being realized
at the end of the twentieth century, that
the American nation should occupy a COM
manding position in the Pacific. We are
bound by the Paris treaty, he said. to pro-
tcct the interests of other nations in the
islands, and we cannot shirk responsibility
in the matter. Should we abandon the
islands, he said, we would deliver the in
habitants over to domestic anarchy.
In the abserce Of John G. Dudley who
was to have spoken on the negative side,
Mr. Bethune closed the debate.
The judges. AFTER consultation, decided.
by q vote of two to one, that the negative
side had won. They awarded. however.
the first prize to Mr.. Riddle. who upheld
the affirmative view, giving Mr.. Bethune
Representative Clark commended the young
men for the ability with which they pre-
scnted their arguments.