The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-07
THE PHILIPPINES DEBATE IN THE
SENATE.

SENATE.
The debate on the Philippine govern
ment bill in the Senate has taken a new
turn. At first the Republicans decided TO
let the Democrats do all the talking, believ-
ing that an attempt to make political cap
ital by attacking the war policy of the gov
eminent did not call for any opposition be-
yond a final vote. On general principles
this view is undoubtedly correct, but cir
cumstances seemed to call for some modih-
cation of it in the present case. Republic
ans became so Disguised with the out
rageous Misrepresentation Of our policy in
the Philippines and the popular demand for
a presentation of the other side was so
strong that the Republican senators de-
cided TO participate in the debate. The first
senator to speak in defense OF the admins
tration and of the army was Senator
Lodge, chairman of the Philippine commit
tee, and it is needless TO say he made a
strong and eloquent speech. The subject
was to his liking, for while there are other
senator's as strong in their patriotic convic-
tions as Senator Lodge. there is not an
other who finds more pleasure in defending
American policies and American traditions
as interpreted and applied by a Republican
administration. In this case, although he
was repeIling charges made by enemies of
the administration, he did not allow him
self to be put on the defensive. He turned
the tables on the Democratic insurrectos so
completely that at the close of his speech
one of the leaders, Senator Rawlins, of
Utah. felt obliged to rise n explain that
the charges which had been made were not
against General Chaffee or the American
army, but against the senator from AIassa-
chusetts and others who were responsible
for the present Philippine policy. This is a
complete change OF front on the part of the
Democrats. Every person who has fol-
lowed the debate from the beginning knows
that all their speeches have been directed
against our officers and soldiers in the
Philippines. 1t was not until Senator Lodge
showed in what a contemptible and odious
position they had placed themselves that
they undertook to change front by declar-
ing that their charges had been made upon
MIN ana OllGIS VINO are responsible IOr the
present Philippine policy. But. taking
them at their word. what does this mean?
OF all the Americans that nave lived or
died, the one who, above all others, was
chiefly responsible for the present policy in
the Philippines was President Mckinley.
OF course, reference is not had to any indi-
vidual acts of cruelty or any exceptional
violation of the laws of war that may have
been committed, though none has yet been
proved. but TO the general policy of fighting
the insurrection as long as any of it re-
mains and of meeting war with war. That
policy was ~inaugurated by President Nc
Kinley and adhered to by him to the day of
his death. 1t was adopted by his successor
and has been followed by him without
variation or shadow of turning. The Phil
ippine commission and the general officers
IN the Philippines nave continued to act I'M
der the same orders since the death of
President Mckinley as they did before. and
the policy of the administration has under
gone no change whatever. Therefore, when
the Democratic malignants say their at
tacks are not against the army. but against
those who are responsible for the present
policy in the Philippines, they make Pres
ident Mckinley the main object of attack.
Senator Lodge paid an eloquent tribute
to the American army as a whole and TO
the great body of the officers and men who
compose 1t. AS to the latter he pointed out
that under our army system the privates
in the army are all volunteers, represent
ing thoroughly the American communities
which gave them birth" II follows that
any person who attacks the army as a
whole attacks a body of men who were
citizens before they were soldiers and who
will become citizens again. Senator Lodge
said he had no defense to offer of individual
cases of cruelty, but he added: LAS 1 have
listened to this debate l confess I have felt
shocked beyond measure at the attacks
made upon the army of the United States"
He believed in respecting the laws of civil
lied warfare, but if I must make my
CHOICE he said, II am for the American
army against the insurgents" And that
sentiment is all the more commendable be-
cause for every act Of cruelty that has been
charged against American soldiers a hun
dred far more cruel can be proved against
the insurgents.
Other Republican senators will follow
Senator Lodge, and the world will not be
left to think that the administration and
the army are without defenders in the
Senate. 1t is to be hoped the will make
1t clear that the real question is between
establishing American authority in the
Philippines or abandoning them altogether.
The question of individual acts of cruelty
is unimportant. The real question is
whether the flag shall stay where it has
been put As President Roosevelt said in
his banquet speech in Washington a few
nights ago.: Where wrong has been done
by anyone the w%rongdoer shall be pun
ished; but we shall not halt in our great
work because some man has happened TO
do wrong"