Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-12
PLATTLRCUES AGAINST ROAR
csnnsoticut Senator AuswsrI Criticisms Of
the Philippine PsliOy.
sUsTAINs GOVERNMENT SIDE or QUESTION
Ove 90 HIS Opponents Progress
MADE In All Lines Teller Helps
90 swell Chorus OF Adminis-
tradition Critics.

WASHINGTON, Feb. liza stirring de-
bate on the general Philippine question 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 enact
ment Of the pending Philippine tariff bill.
In response to some statements no made,
Mr.. Plat directed the senate's attention 10
the situation in the Islands as he viewed It,
maintaining that great progress was being
made by the government In subduing the
insurrection. He referred to the elections
for municipal officers in the various cities
and the establishment Of schools.
Mr.. Hoar ridiculed the Of Mr..
Plat and in a facetfous vein adverted to
the efforts Of the American government to
control the Filipino people. The remarks
Of the Massachusetts, senator reused Mr..
Plat and in a faeetious vein adverted TO
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
chamber with profound attention. In con-
~clusion he paid an eloquent tribute to the
efforts OF the United States to carry the
principles ~ free government to every ter
ritory whore it had control.
HOar Returns the Fire.
In reply Mr.. Hoar delivered an incisive
criticism Of the action Of the Philippine
commission, declaring that he had been
taught to Judge men rather by their actions
than by their words, and by this standard
he could not Judge the Philippine commits
sioners with any degree OF favor.
Early in the day the senate passed a Joint
resolution submitting a constitutional
amendment changing the time Of the presi-
Dental insugurations and the time Of the
commencement Of the term of congress
from the 4th Of March to the last day of
April.
Among the other measures passed were:
Appropriating $4,000 for a public build
ing at Gainesville, Tex; to establish a sub.
$1,000 for e;,fog signal and keepers dwell.
10000 for a monument to the memoir OF
Dorothea Lynd Dig, to be erected at iHamp-
s sGni S Meiii; Fes sarticSs ressOgHnia,nE the able
futile Of the revenue cutter service. MS
officers and men Of Bear; also the heroic
Bertholf and DR.. Samuel J. Calvie, compos.
ing the overland expedition to Point Bar.
row, Arctic ocean. for the Keller OF i'm.
DA1Cu8AAOhe
At 1 p. m consideration Of the Philippine
tariff bill was resumed. Mr.. Teller, who
had the floor when the senate adjourned
yesterday. continued his speech. He did
not think the holding Of the Philippines By
this government ever would be profitable
and he could see readily that it might prove
dangerous. It was contrary to American
principles to hold any people In subjec-
ton by force. Nobody, he said, was likely
to question the right of the United States
to hold the Philippine archipelago. No ma
ton would dare to raise such q question
That question might be raised In the
American congress, but nowhere else.
He felt that a profound mistake had beer
made In the early treatment Of the people
OF the Philippines. but the question had
been passed and 1t was now our duty to dc
what was right. Nobody believed, he in.
sisted, that the United states could force
upon the Filipinos its government or its
civilization. Those people were OF q diff
fereht race from the Ahglo-saxon and such
a government as would be desirable fol-
Americans would not be desirable for the
Filipinos.
I'm the whole history Of the world
said he. mo nation has ever elevated the
people OF another race or nation agains,
the protest Of the people whom II wa
attempted to elevate.
"Tf people are ever elevated" he de.
clared, they must elevate themselves By
their W Efforts.
Wants nnnIte Decree.
Referring to the assertion that the United
States was a creature of destiny In its con.
nection with the Philippine islands and tina
this government was but carrying out thu
DEGREES OF providence among the people o.
the archipelago. Mr.. Teller declared tina
he should want a plain edict from the Al
mighty-an edict that he would know dit
not come from the evil ~one-before h,
would be willing to accept the supposed
decree OF destiny.
II could well imagine" said he, "thal
the methods we are pursuing might EN-
anate from the, evil one, but 1 cannot i'm
agine that they should emanate' from tn
great lover Of the human race. / insls
that In all this business HIS voice has no
been heard. II there is any reason VIII!
Americans should be In the Phrlppin,
islands it cannot be found in the com
mand of the Almighty"
Charge Against Administration.
Some evil influence. he said, dominate,
and controlled the executive department
Of the government and the government
voice was no longer for peace, but 70
war. Had the administration declared It
present policy toward the Philippines a
the outset the treaty with Spain woul
not have been ratified.
In the twenty-five years Of his servic
in the senate. he said. he had seen man
strange things. but never anything like tn
reading OF the so-ealled enactments Z
the Philippine commission, which. he said
was a compendium OF tyranny, n in
fanny.
Mr., Foraker said that the sedition an
treason laws enacted for the Philippine
were almost Identical With those OF Tenn
essee.
Mr.. Teller expressed the opinion this
the Filipinos never would consent to on
control Of the islands.
Piatt Asks ouestiOn.
'Is the senator entirely certain" in
tsrjected Mr.. Plat Of Connecticut. "ths
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