The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-23
Denounced Attitude Of the i, 5
in Philippines
WICKED AND FOOLISH POLICY
So Great Was the Demonstration OF
Approval That the Presiding Officer
Had to Call Senator's Attention
to Rule Governing That Body.

Washington, May ga notable con-
tributlon to the discussion of the Philip
pine question was made in the Senate to-
dav by Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts. He
denounced the attitude of the government
In the Philippines as one of the most
wicked and foolish chapters In American
history He sharply arraigned General
Funston for the methods he pursued In
the capture of Aguinaldo, and intimated
strongly that had the Senate been aware
of the facts Funston might not have
been confirmed in his recent promotion
Spontaneous applause swept over the
Senate and the galleries at the conclusion
of the speech. So pronounced was 1t
that the presiding officer called the at
tention of Senators to the rule prohibit
ing any expression of approval or disap-
prevail.
Mr. Hoar maintained that this country
is not at war. You are fighting for SOW
ereignty," he said. You are fighting for
the principle of eternal dominion over
that people, and that is the only ques-
tion at issue in the conflict
When it had been determined to resort
to force in the Philippines, he said. the
government ,ook upon itself the natural
consequences of that decision. The re-
suit of the conflict of arms of such
character inevitably was that there would
be cruelty on enc side and retaliation by
cruelty on the other side, and the respon-
sibility rested upor those who made the
policy.
Most Wicked and Foolish.
Mr.. Hoar said he was to discuss and
denounce what seemed to him one OF the
most wicked and foolish chapters In his
tory; vet he was compelled to admit, he
said. that the men who were responsible
for it were neither wicked nor foolish.
Mr.. Hoar maintained that his conscience
would not permit him to follow these men
and his conscience was the only author
ity he left bound to obey in this matter.
He said that the share which 1t was pro-
posed to give the Filpinos in the pro-
posed scheme of government was an adj
mission that many of them were fit for
self-government The United States was
fightins dependency, not a
repu., government of our making
and :. <. vernment of the Filipinos'
maklls.
Mr.. floar recited chapter of the his
tory of this country, which he said show
ed that the present policy of the govern
ment was in contradiction of the Monroe
doctrine. as 1t was a contradiction of the
declaration of independence. He said
that if the present war was followed
the declaration of independence would
be repealed and nothing would be left
of the Monroe doctrine, except the prin-
ciple of brutal selfishness.
Despotism in Philippines.
This government had created a repub-
lie in Cuba and a despotism in the Philip
pines. Six hundred millions of treasure
and ten thousand American lives had
been sacrificed in that endeavor. In the
Philippines the American flag had been
the emblem of sacrilege and the burning
of homes and of the horror Of the water
torture. He believed that our officers in
general were humane, but in some cases
they have carried on warfare with mix
ture of American ingenuity and Castillian
cruelty.
What have your ideals cost your in
uuired Mr. Hoar. For the Philippine
Islands you have men to convert the
Monroe doctrine into a doctrine of mere
selfshness. For Cuba you have acted on
it and vindicated it. In Cuba you have
I0e eIeTndl STdllluue VI d Tree peOpie. III
the Philippine Islands you have the
hatred and sullen submission of a sub
jugated people. From Cuba you have
brought home nothing but glory; from
the Philippines you have brought home
nothing of glory
Referring to the cruelties committed In
the Philippines. Mr.. Hoar said he be-
leved the American soldiers were as
brave and humane as any that ever lived.
They had done simply what would always
be done in like conditions. The chief guilt
was upon the heads of those who Gre
ated the conditions
In conclusion Mr.. Hoar believed that
better counsel yet would prevail than
now seemed to exist. The irrevocable
step had not yet been taken.
Mr.. Hoar occupied nearly two hours
and a half At the conclusion of the ad-
dress wave of applause swept over the
Senate and the galleries.
Unusual Demonstration.
So unusual was the demonstration on
the floor of the Senate that the presiding
officer, Mr.. Platt of Connecticut called
the Senates attention to the violation
of it's own rules and in addition warned
the people in the galleries that applause
was not permissible.
II want to cal1 attention of the chair"
suggested Mr.. Bacon of Georgia, that
the main applause occurred on the floor
of the Senate.
"And on the Democratic side" inter-
iected Mr. Foraker of Ohio.
At 2:55 the Senate took a recess for thir-
ty minutes in order that its members
might partake of salmon luncheon
given by Mr.. Mitchell of Oregon.
The proceeding was so unusual as to
give rise to considerable comment.
The Senate reconvened at $3.50 p. m.
The resolution went over on objection of
Mr.. Spooner
Mr.. Teller then addressed the Senate on
the Philippine government bill. discussing
at length the action of Congress on the
establishment of the Republic of Cuba
He explained that the object of his re-
marks was to establish the fact that his
resolution, known as the Teller resolution
relating to Cuba, was absolutely in ac-
cord with the sentiment of Congress at
that time.
Mr.. Hale interrupted to say that he re-
garded 1t as almost provdential that Mr..
Teller had had the forethought to prepare
such a declaration. = 1t had served to
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