The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-02-20
CUBAN AND PHILIPPINE
QUESTIONS.

Washington, Feb l2.-EVeryoooy
here is sill guessing as to whether
there vii! be an extra session or not
Just at present, despite the fact that
the Cuban and Philippine questions
are in better way to be solved,
temporarily at least. than had seemed
at ell possible heretofore, the prog
nossicatious of the Republican lead
ers in favor of the extra session
seem to be increasing. Probably
this is due 70 the growing probaoil-
ity that the ship subsidy bill will be
defeated.
The situation in the Philippines is
comparatively simple Senator Spoon.
er has offered as an amendment to
the army appropriation bill, which is
VET TO come before the senate, an
amended version of the resolution he
prepared at the last session. giving
the president authority to govern the
islands. AS originally introduced,
the resolution provided that the pres
ident could establish civil govern
ment whenever the insu.rection was
pus down, while the new form
leaves out the proviso as to the
suppression of tile instruction puts
matters entirely to the discretion OF
the president
The new form provides: That all
military, civil, aud judicial powers
necessary TO govern the Philippine
islands acquired from Spain by the
United Stated by the treaty of Paris
snail, until otherwise provided BY
congress, be vested in such person
or persons. aud shall be exercised in
such manner as the pesidens of the
Caited States shall direct for the
establishments of civil governments
and for maintaining and protecting
| the inhabitants of said islands in the
free enjoyment Of liberty, property
and religion. Provided, That all
franchises granted under the provis
ions hereof, shall contain reserva
tion of the right to alter, amend or
repeal the same " If the Republl-
cans are really in earnest. they car
get this through congress with little
or no difficulty.
The Cuban question could be easily
solved if the Administration were
disposed TO carry oct the nat;on'e
pledge to release the island as soon
as stable government was es'ab
lished therein; but this it seems
most reluctant to do The resoiu.
ton adopted by Congress nearly
three years ago reads That the
Uoi.ed States hereby disclaim any
disposition or intention 70 exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island. except for the paci
fcation thereof. and assert their
determination when thst is completed
to leave the government aud control
OF the island to It's people. Under
this resolution it is difficult for any
honest man to see what either Con
gress or the President has TO Go with
the matter, further than TO make cure
that ''paci6cation" has been brought
about. The position of tbe Demo
Gratis in Congress. therefore, ls that
the President should withdraw from
the island the moment stable gov
ernment has been established, IRE
spective of whether the United States
has gotten ali it wants or not.
Such is not the idea of che RepnbIl.
cans, nor Of the President, uor viii
the latter take the responsibility Of
deciding what further terms will be
exalted. 1t has been proposed that
Congress should adopt resolution,
stating these terms, they bsing ex.
pected to comprise grants of navaI
and military stations and rights OF
supervision over the fore'gn affairs
and debt raising powers TIE rev
government, but the -