The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-14
Defines the Proper Insular
Policy.
An AMERICAN PROTBCTORATB
Advocates Withdrawal of
Army From Islands.
THE RACES INCONGENIAL
senator Mitchell Argues for 81 Fifty
Per Cent Reduction OF Duty on Ar
ticIes Entering Philippines From
United states and Vice Versa.


longest and most exhaustive speech that
has yet been made on the Philippines
He occupied the greater part of four scs-
siops in presenting his arguments and it
is probable that they Will occupy with
the ycluminous documents he incorporat-
ed, at least fifty pages of the Record
He went into every phase of the situa-
ton from the point of view of the oppo-
sition to the Administration policy
Defined a Policy.
Mr.. Teller concluded yesterday by an
nouncng what he believed should be the
policy of the Government
He said that the army should be with
drawn from tie islands and their inhabi-
tants allowed to govern themselves as
they should see fit with an American pro-
tectorate TO keep any foreign nation from
obtaining foothold in the archipelago.
Instances of Cruelty.
Mr.. Teller began yesterday by present.
ing large number of clippings from
newspapers reeiting instances of cruel
ties practiced by the American troops
upon the Filipinos. He did not vouch, he
said, for the accuracy of the reports, and
he disclaimed any intention to criticise
the American army as whole. He
thought the private soldiers could not be
blamed for such cTuelties when men of
culture and refinement attempted to JUS
tify, on the plea of war, the cruel sed-
tion laws enacted and enforced in the
Philippines. He urged in view of the me-
mortal OF the Federal party presented to
the Senate on Wednesday, that this Gov
eminent announce a definite policy to-
ward the Philippines. and to say frankly
what this Government proposed ulti-
mately to do with them.
Further along he said that much as he
might sympathize with the Filipinos, he
could not bring himself to wish disaster
to befall American arms. He expected to
vote for the appropriation to support the
army.
Americans and Asintics Uncongcnia1.
In response to an enquiry from Mr.. AL
drich Mr.. Teller expressed the belief that
the offer OF statehood to the Filipinos
would settle all differences between them
and the United States. He added how
ever, that he did not want to proceed in
that way. He would rather withdraw the !
army from the Philippines and let the in
habitants work out their own destiny than
give the islands statehood He did not
think Americans and Asiatics could live
together in the relation OF statehood with |
out serious friction.
Mr.. Teller said that as 4 solution of the |
Philippine trouble he would send to the |
islands a commission OF prominent, able, |
and liberal men TO say to the Filpinos |
that they should have the kind of gov |
eminent they want, except that they could |
not become citizens of the United States |
He urged that the commission say to them |
that they need not maintain an army or a |
navy, but that the United States would |
protect them from foreign invasion.
1T would be protectorate ! should ap-
ply to the Philippines" said MIR. Teller.
land believe it would be satisfactory to
the Filipinos."
Territorial Distinction.
Mr.. Spooner (Rep., Wis., made an en-
quiry of Mr. Teller as TO what his judg-
ment was on the distinction between or
ganized and unorganized Territories, and
an answer to the enquiry was volunteered
by Mr.. Patterson Dem, COLI, a minority
member of the Philippine Committee
His explanation was to the effect that
in organized Territories Of the United
States, such as New Mexico and Arizona,
the organization gives the bill OF rights,
habeas corpus, and the same tariff duties
and revenue taxes as rule in the country
at large; while in an unorganized terri
tory like the Philippines these conditions
do not exist. He stated that the pending
bill treated these islands as colony. en-
tirely independent of and outside OF the
United States.
Mr.. Spoorer ironically thanked Mr. Pat
terson for his information most of which
he was not quite certain was true. He
then proceeded in few words to argue
that. as a matter of fact. no such differ (
ences exist. Mr.. Patterson did not re- ;
spond to his remarks. +
Mr. MifcheIrs Views.
Senator John H. Mitchell of Oregan |
vas the next speaker. He made an argu-
ment along the line of his amendments. 5
which provide for placing upon the free
list certain articles entering the Philip
pines from the United States, and further ,
'or a reduction of 80 per cent in the rates
II duty on all other articles entering the ,
from the United States. or vice {
7ersa. I
While attending to the principles recog- I
liZed in the pending bill MIR. Mitchell
leld that under existing conditions. it is
lot expedient, necessary, or right to APP
by to our insular possessions the same
'ale that we apply to foreign countries.
lie contended that the United States Con- I
,ress, in dealing with them, should differ I
initiate In their favor, as also in favor G
Il the United States. in establishing trade
citations between these respective por-
ions Of our common country, as ne put It, :
Relative Duties to Islands.
Touching upon Cuba, Mr. Mitchell de- :
Jared that the United States was the
rustee of that island.
But" he said. this is a relation
hich, while il may call for the exercise
certain proteetorate acts, does not i'm U
ose on the United States any duty to p
lter into any treaties or other COM q
ercial regulations with Cuba that may u
any manner affect adversely any Amer 81
an interest. OF course, II reciprocity u
can be made with Cuba II
hich will be TO the advantage of our Oh
eople, then let us have IL. N
IF the moral, social, commercial and D,
olitical welfare of the people OF Cuba
nd Porto Rico is dependent in a large
easure, as 1t seems to be commended, ~
n the relaxation of trade restrictions u
uFnl t.ra nI- a.l i -.