The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-12
THIS IS TYRANNY,
ASSERTS Mr., HOAR
He Stirs up Senator PIatt of
Connecticut,
AND THEN WINDS HIM UP
A Spirited Debate Over the General
Philippine Question.
AND THEN WINDS HIM UP
SENATOR HOAR QUOTES GOVERNOR TAFT
The Filipino People Want independence Yet
A'sI forbidden to Express Their Sem
:imsnis. Light on Treason Law
Passed by Commission.
(By the Associated Press.)


(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, d. c., Feb. 11.--A stirring
debate on the general Philippine ques-
tion was precipitated In the Senate late
today, the principal participants being
Mr., Plat, of Connecticut, and Mr.. Hoar
OF Massachusetts
Mr.. Teller, of Colorado. had concluded
for the day his argument against the en-
actment of the pending Philippine Tar
iff Bill. In response to some statements
he had made, Mr.. Platt directed the SEN
ate's attention to the situation in the is
lands as he viewed it, maintaining that
great progress was being made by the
government In subduIng the insuTection.
Mr.. Hoar ridiculed the statements of
Mr.. Platt and in a facetious vein advert
cd 10 the efforts OF the American gov
ernment to control the Filipino people.
The remarks of the Massachusetts
Senator aroused Mr.. Platt, who deliv-
cred q notable speech, in the course Of
which, he referred to Mr. Hoar in pretty
sharp terms. His speech was listened
TO by Senators on both sides of the cham
bcr with profound attention.
In his reply MIR. Hoar delivered an in
cisive criticism Of the action of the Phil
ipplne commission. declaring that he had
been taught TO judge men rather by their
actions than by their words and by his
standard he could not Judge the Philip
Pine commissioners with any degree Of
favor.
Early in the day the Senate assed a
joint resolution submitting a constitu-
tional amendment changing the time Of
Presidential inaugurations and the ter
mination and commencement Of Con-
gress from the 4th of March to the last
Thursday of April.
Senator Teller in his speech declared
the so-called enactments of the Philip
pine commission were compendium Of
tyrrany and infamy.
Mr. Foraker said that the sedition and
treason laws enacted for the Philippines
We're almost identical with those of Ten
nessee.
Mr.. Hoar interrupted to ask If the or
der of General Otis directing forced sub
mission was not itself an act of war.
Mr.. Teller answered that ten years ago
it would have been so considered, where
upon Mr.. Hoar declared that the Fill
pinos could not be charged with opening
hostilties when the United States had
by General Otis order. issued formal
act Of war long before.
Mr.. Teller expressed the opinion that
the Filipinos never would consent to our
control Of the islands.
lis the Senator entirely certain in
terjected Mr. Platt, Comm that ma
jority of the Christian people OF the is
lands do not consent to our govern
ment?"
Mr.. Teller replied that II he could trust
the information which had come to him,
not one tenth of the people wanted the
United States Government in the islands.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that an order was
said to Rave been issued by the Philip
pine Commission prohibiting the reading
OF the Declaration of Independence at
Fourth Of July celebration in Manila,
and he inquired if that was not incon-
sistent with the statements OF the ma
jority.
Promising 10 discuss that and other
points later, Mr. Teller yielded the floor
for the day.
Mr. Platt, Comm replying to some
statements made by Mr.. Teller, pointed
cut that the American Army in the
Philippines had been reduced from 10000
to less than 10000. He thought It very
strange that the American force could be
reduced if all the Filipinos were strug-
CLING against American control.
we ought to consider facts" he urged.
I'VE ought to take things as they are
and not things as they may be conjured
up. We are getting along reasonably
well in those islands Peace will come
TO them and a government will be es-
tabiished there in which the Filipincs
themselves will have a large part, and
which will prove TO be a blessing TO
them" He pointed out that elections
were being held in the islands TO choose
municipal officers and in these elections
al the people had q part.
At the instance of Mr.. Gallinger, (N.
H. the Senate agreed to a conference
ou pension bill, Senator's Gallinger.
pritchard aud Turner being named as
contereeS on the part of the Senate
Mr.. Hoar ridiculed the elections 10
Which Mr. Platr had referred declaring
that under the sedition laws enacted by
the Philippine Commission it was
peniteItiary offense for anybody In the
islands TO advocate a political election
or political policy. He referred Ia q
facetious vein To the schools established