The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-06
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.

prove more widespread in the Philip
pines, when, irrespective of party
lines, Congress will be compelled to
consider means of getting rid of the
islands, struck dismay in the ranks of
the republican members of the Senate
on Monday afternoon. The warn
ings of the democrats have been listen
ed to with little respect and when
noted have been regarded as actuated
by solely partisan reasons, but this
dire prediction by the venerable Sena.
tor from Maine proved the means of
startling his complacent colleagues
from their self.satlsfied lethargy and
hereafter they will be more susceptl-
Bile to argument and less likely to
credulously accept every statement
emanatlng from an interested War
Department.
1t is also rumored that, despite the
assurances which Senator Lodge is
ever ready to furnish 10 the country,
Senator Hoar's resolution calling for
an investigation into the actual condl-
tons of affairs IN the Philippines has
already disclosed a state of affairs by
no means reassuling to the adminlstra
tlon. There has been decided effort
upon the part of the war Department
to put off Congress with few COM
fortlng generalities and fear of expo
sure by the democrats has prompted
the majority to content itself with
these vague reports. Actuated by a
more intimate knowledge OF the real
situation Senator Hoar demanded an
investigation and while the Philip
pines Committee has not had the
time to 60 far it has already found
that there has been tendency on the
part of Secretary Root and his sub
ordlnates to suppress information re-
gardng the less fortunate aspect of
Philippine conditions and unduly EN-.
phasze that which is more favorable.
Senator Money, speaking for him
self rather than for his party, an
nounced during the progress of this
weeks debate that he believed the
only course open to the administra-
ton was to retrace its steps, to recall
the civil commission and to retain IN
Philippine territory only sufficient
military force to prevent foreign
aggression. The Senator believes that
in time the people OF the islands will
themselves be able to formulate a
system of government best suited to
their needs and the less this govern
ment interferes the sooner that end
will be accomplished. When Senator
Money had finished the statement OF
his views Senator Hale virtually en-
dorsed them.
Senator Jones, leader of the demo.
cratic minority, said yesterday that he
believed that an isthmian canal bill
would be passed at this session of
Congress and that he thought the
Nlcaraguan route would be chosen.
"Ihe mere fact that the senators who
are supporting the Panama PROPOSE
tlon," he said, "are admittedly op-
posed to canal on general principles
will result in all the senators who are
In favor of a canal getting together
and passing the Hepburn bill. That
is the trend of sentiment in the Sen
ate at the present time" Notwith.
standing Senator Jones view the at
tempt of Senator Morgan to commi,
his committee to report favorable tc
the Nlcaraguan route failed and there
is little likelihood of definite action
until the diplomatic features OF the
Panama proposition have been more
extensively investigated. The fact
that Admiral Walker continues his
negotiations with Senor Silva, the
. Colombian Minister, would indicate
that interest in the Panama route is
not tagging.
l am told, on excellent authority,
that Senators Lodge and Cullom have
assured the President that his view:
In regard to Cuban reciprocity will bs
carried into effect. 1t is the desire O
the Senate that the House shouC
formulate and pass bli! providing
concessions on imports from Cub;
and strong fight for that end will bt
made by Representative Hopkins, 0
Illinois, in the Ways and Means Com
mittee. Mr.. Hopkins is an Influential
member OF the committee and he viii
be ably seconded in the efforts b,
Representative Mccall while 1t is be
lleved that General Grosvenor, who
appreciates that the Senate will act i
the House does not, desires such ac
tlon If only to preserve the dignity ol
the House. If the House should fai
10 enact such measure the Stat,
Department will negotiate reciprocal
treaty with Cuba and the Senate will