The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-05
FIVE HOURS IN TALK
SENATOR'S DISCUSSED THE ARMY
BILL AT LENGTH.
MUCH OPPOSITION TO BILL.
PETTTGREW HAS MUCH To SAY.
PiIILIPPINE MATTERS

pkDeA-Mfs Iencr declares Thnt
100000 Men Will BE Needed for
One Hundred Years.
Washington Jan 4-For FIVE hours to-
day the Senate discussed the army reor-
ganization bill. The debate took a wide
range at times, but was confined princi-
pally to the question of the necessity for
the increase in the regular army provid-
ed for in the pending measure.
The Philippine question was threshed
over at great length. but few really new
points were advanced. Speeches were
made by Mr.. Carter of Montana, Mr.. Tel
ler of Colorado. Mr.. Hoar of Massachu-
setts, Mr.. Stewart of Nevada and Mr..
Caffery of Louisiana. One of the sharpest
colloquies of the session was between Mr..
Carter and MIR. Wellington of Maryland.
Mr.. Hoar advanced proposition to cre-
ate commission to be composed Of oil
shades of political opinion to investigate
the entire Philippine question and report
its findings TO Congress in order that a
basis might be formed for intelligent ac-
tion. Some slight progress was made to-
ward the completion of the pending meas
ure.
A resolution was adopted favoring EN-
actment of such laws and making of such
treaties as will effectually prohibit the
sale of opium and Intoxicating beverages
by the signatory powers to aboriginal
tribes and uncvilized races.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas. offered a reso-
luton directing the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs to inquire upon what alleged
facts the charges against Mai. Heistand
of the United States Army, by Erastus
l. Hawkes. are based, and report to the
Senate.
Mr.. Jones said an army officer had
been removed becaused of some ALLEGED
bad conduct. The charges Indicated that
the army officers. who remained in the
service was as guilty as he who was re,
moved. II so he ought to be removed
too.
The resolution finally was referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs.
The resolution offered yesterday by MIR.
Pettigrew calling for information with
reference to the Philippines was laid be-
fore the Senate, and Mr. Lodge moved
that II be referred to the Committee on
| AAhplAHcS anu ll was utdlly SO TeIeT-
red. Mr.. Pettigrew said the President
maintained there was no war in the Phdl-
ippines The Military Committee declar-
ed that war existed there, and that at
least so, 900 men would be required 20 sup
press the rebellion. He therefore demand
ed the facts.
Another of Mr.. Pettigrew's resolutions
calling upon the President for information
as to the necessity for an increase in the
strength Of the army referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs. 'On de-
mand of Mr.. Pettgrew the committee
report on the army bill was read. MIR.
Carter asked unanimous consent to pass
upon the unobjected amendments. Mr..
Pettigrew objected.
Mr Wellington of Maryland demanded
TO know the intention of the administra-
tion with reference to the Philippine ISL
ands IL it was to force an annexation
OF the Philippines, then large army
would be necessary. Two campaigns had
been fought out and the situation was
worse than ever
Mr. Wellington was opposed to an in
crease of the army If the government pur-
poses to try to deprive the Filipinos OF
self-government
Mr.. Carter replied that "the President
has no authority to decide what shall be
done with the Philippines"
Inc NnOHltHb NHS treaty VI peace was
ratified" said he, "that moment 1t be-
came the supreme law of the land. II the
President refused to maintain the sover-
eighty of the United States there he would
have laid himself liable to impeachment
Mr.. Wellington contended that the Pres
ident had already abandoned territory in
Alaska over which we had undisputed
sovereignty. He said If the President
should be impeached If he relinquished
territory in the Philippines, he should
likewise be impeached for relinquishing
sovereignty in Alaska.
do you approve of the relinquishment
of territory in Alaskan" inquired MIR.
Carter.
II do not" replied Mr. wellington.
Mr.. Carter: Then do you approve of
d REIMBURSEMENT of the Philippines?"
Mr.. Wellington: THAT is quite dif-
ferent matter"
Mr.. Wellington charged that he had
been deceived into voting for the appro-
preparation of $40. .O0oo 600 for the purchase
OF the Philippines. and concluded with
the assertion that the United States did
not have possession of the islands, and
could not obtain possession of them with
an army of any size.
Mr.. Carter declared 1t was the intention
of the United States to maintain the laws
in the Philippines, to restore order and
TO protect property. Beyond that point
mate disposition of the islands would be-
Mr.. Teller Of Colorado sharply criticised
the pending r1easure.
You'll want not 100, 900 men," he de-
clared. but you'll want 10000, and you
viii want them Tor a hundred years. This
measure Is not Intended merely to meet
an emergency, but to fix upon the coun-
try a great standing army"
He attacked the Philippine Commission.
now in Manila, declaring that its actions
were the grossest forfA of Imperialism
"These Americans in the Philippines
he declared, "are strangers to the coun-
try and to the people. Under the law they
have a right to be there, but under Gods
law. which Is higher, they have no place
there at all. Their actions are the worst
form OF Imperialism"
Mr.. Teller said II was the purpose OF
the government to apply the Monroe doc
trine to Cuba, and that the same doctrine
ought TO be applied to the Philippines
Replying to Mr.. caffery, Mr.. Tehee
said: ~
"As long as our nag floats IN the Philip
pine Archipelago I win reluctant as IN
may bel vote to maintain the army ana \
the nag there"
Mr. Hoar suggested a general anerd-