The Washington times., 1902-05-10
Mr.. Teller Speaks in Fa-
vor of Autonomy for the
Archipelago.
CONFRONTED With FORMER VIEWS
Explains Statements Made in 1896
Declares Natives as Capable of Self
Government as Cubans, South Ameri-
cans, or Many Europeans.

Senator Teller made the Gnly speech on
the Philippine bill yesterday He occupied
the greater part of the day. and commented
sharply on many OF its provisions.
He favored the purchase of the lands
belonging to the friars. but opposed the
granting of them in five thousand acre
tracts to corporations. Americans were
not in the Philippine Islands. he said. for
the purpose of exploitation. but for the
purpose of putting the people there on
high moral and intellectual plane.
Favors Autonomy.
He announced himself as being in favor
of giving the people Of the Philippine
Islands self government. and he believed
| them carable of government.
! When Mr.. Teller had been speaking over
| half an hour the Republican side of the
chamber had been abandoned until there
was only one Senator left This was Mr..
Gallinger. who, apropos of Mr.. Teller's last
remark, sent to the clerks desk and had
read from the New York Sun an ex-
tract from Mr.. Teller's speech, made in
December, 1898. to the effect that he did
not wish TO have the islands given UP. as
to do SO would be to leave them in a worse
condition than when they we're taken away
from Spain.
rs that all?' Mr.. Teller asked. when
the clerk ceased reading.
That is ALL Mr.. Gallinger replied; Il
think that is enough"
Mr. Teller Explains.
Mr. Teller complained that Il was not
fair to read few lines of a speech and
not read that which explained the whole
thing: and so he proceeded TO read a large
part of the speech referred to.
Mr. Beyeridge asked Mr.. Teller whether
he stood by this sentence in his speech:
He has put up our flag: there it is going
to stay
Mr.. Teller explained that he meant that
the world was to be notified that the is
lands would be protected by the American
people. He meant that the flag should
stay there until something better could be
got for the islands.
Mr. Beyeridge-Does the Senate now say
that we can never disconnect ourselves
from these Islands?
Mr. Teller do not think we can. do
not think we can ever discoDnect ourselves
from Cuba. We have not been able for
forty-eight years to disconneCt ourselves
from the South American republics. over
every one Of which we have exercised
limited protectorate under the Monroe |
Doctrine. And when the Senator from In \
diana tells me that the Filipinos are in |
capable of self government tell him that |
all the facts deny that statement Ad- |
miral Dewey has declared that they are |
as capable of self-government as the peo-
pie of South America or of Cuba.
Mr.. Gallinger read a statement by Mr.. !
Simoney, a postal official in Samar, to the |
effect that the Filipinos were entirely in
capable of self government, and that |
every Filipino official would take bribe
MIR. Hoar taking up this latter state
ment. asked how IL was that the Philip |
pine Commission was establishing civil |
governments in the islands II the officials |
were to be so degraded.
Mr. Clay and Mr.. Beveridgc both read |
extracts from testimony given by a Mr..
Barrows before the Senate committee. the
one to prove that Mr. Teller was wrong |
and the other that he was right.
Compared With Europeans.
Mr.. Teller resumed his speech, and as
serted that the Filipinos were as capable
of elfgovernment as most OF the peo-
pie OF European and Asiatic countries.
The policy outlined in the bill was. he
said, a vicious and wicked policy, q
policy not dictated by patriotic motives.
but having its foundation in greed and
avarice and in the love of dominion and
power.
~" said Mr.. Teller in conclusion, I'VE
can hold these people with honor with
iecency. with advantage to them and
without injury 10 US, | am in favor of
holding them, but ] am not in favor of
holding them ii We deny to them the
rights Of freemen, for which they are ]
lighting. They are justified in resisting
he domination Of foreign power, Judging
rom what that foreign power has done.
These people arc justified In resisting u.s. |
And II their Resistance has got to such |
! height that their little boys are 10 be
slaughtered because they are soldiers,
hen | say 1t is time for us to get out Of |
he Islands If we cannot stay there with | :
lonor and decency."
Senator Lodge during the meeting read
letter he had received from General Funs- |
on, saying that John Nicholson, OF Nor
ok. Va. formerly a sergeant OF the $
fourth Cavalry. had accused him lFuns-
pnj of originating the water cure.
Tho general asked that Nicholson be | c
imml4rd before the committee and be
uDgi!1t y make good his statements |
lFnna'oH) would prosecute him for
ninT to the penitentiary
h-i accordingly been sent l
TO 8rHear. Mr.. Lodge said
the Glowing answer had
received Will appear /
u viii Boz 70 use be- 9
certify 1st any
tsloa lone
zee, dge u
g-gu uld y
per o.