Evening star., 1902-01-28
CENSURE WAS PROPOSED
DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE UNTIL
AFTER O'CLOCK.
Mr.. Money Crfticises the Governments
Policy in the PhiIippines-WOuld
Let the Islands Go.

The debate in the Senate over the propo-
sition to censure Gen. Wheaton for his re-
ported comments on the effect of remarks
made by President Schurman of Cornell
University, president of the first Philippine
commission in relation to the Philippines
was continued yesterday afternoon until
nearly o'clock After The Stars report
of the proceedings was closed Mr.. Spooner
said he deemed 1t the part of wisdom to
ascertain first whether Gen. Wheaton had
made the statements attributed to him be-
fore any attempt was made to secure his
censure.
Mr.. Tillman Is. CO interrupted to inquire
who would furnish the proof that the dis
patch read had not been inspired.
Mr.. Spooner replied that he did not be-
lieve it was either inspired or censored,
but felt the Senate ought to await definite
information. Gen. Wheaton, he added, was
fine officer, of high character and notable
achievements.
Yes" interjected Mr. Tillman, "he is
brilliant officer, doing some very dirty
work. That is my opinion
We'll, 1t is not mine," replied Mr..
Spooner. Il have the word of the Senator
from Indiana (Beveridge) that the censor
ship of news dispatches in the Philippines
was abolished some time ago.
Mr.. Money made an extended speech in
criticism of the governments policy in the
L
to it, suppose, until we have a lucid in
terval, and we are not likely soon to have
that" He maintained that the United
States in acquiring the islands and holding
them had done one of the most foolish
things ever done by nation, and he was
afraid we should mot have sense enough
to retrace our steps"
Mr.. Hale interrupted to say that the sit
uation in the Philippines will grow worse
instead of better, and that it is anomalous
to mix the military and civil government.
Would Let the Islands Go.
Replying to a question of Mr.. Hale as to
what he would do with the islands, Mr..
Money said: Let them go to the devil and
take care of themselves as far as the
American people are concerned"
Mr.. Money, answering Mr.. Hoar, said
that before the United States declared war
there were village governments, peaceful
and successful, in the Philippines. Mr..
Hoar said that Washington had declared
that that was the test of capacity for self
government.
Mr.. Money declared that it was the
merest cant and hypocrisy to attribute to
Providence the present condition of affairs
in the Philippines. Despite, said he, all our
platftudinouS utteranceS concerning free
dom, the United States had not sent a word
of encouragement to the Beers, who were
struggling for liberty against one of the
greatest nations of the world. Our action
Great Britain in South Africa.
Would BE SeIf-StuItifcatiOn.
In a brief statement Mr.. Platt Comm
said he did not want to let this occasion
pass without expressing his emphatic dis
sent from the principle upon which Mr.
Moneys remarks were founded. The Mis-
sissippi senator, he said had not ques-
toned our rights in the Philippines our
sovereignty over the islands or the legality
of our acquisition of them, yet he insisted
that we were in the Philippines where the
Constitution was not, and that we ought to
accord to the Filipinos their independence
because they demanded it.
Mr.. Platt contended that if the United
States had the right to acquire territory
and hold sovereignty over it it would be
a qualification of ourselves to yield our
rights to that territory soon as the in
habitants of the territory might demand
their independence.
Mr.. Foraker concurred with Mr. Platt
and quoted from authorities in sustaining
the position.
In concluding the debate, Mr.. Dubois, re-
ferring to Mr.. Spooner's remarks, said he
was entirely satisfied that the Associated
Press dispatch was accurate.
mo Associated Press reporter" said he
ever puts words into mans mouth that
he did not utter. 1 have every reason to
believe the dispatch is accurate"
He said, however, that if the statements
regarding Gen. Wheaton were not true
then the reprimand of the general which
he proposed would not lie against him.
The Senate then, on motion of Mr. Gull
lom at 4:4o went into executive session,
and at o:2o o'clock adjourned