Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-23
HOAR on THE PHILIPPINES
Raiterates his Opposition to the Govern
msnt's Policy in the Islands.
SAYS NATION FIGHTING FOR SOVEREIGNTY
Country is ut War ana Hopes
h Authority of United states
VIII Withdraw from
the Islands.

WASHINGTON. May PA notable con-
tFibutfon to the discussion OF the Philip
pine question was made in the senate today
By Mr.. Hoar OF Massachusetts,. His views
on the subject are we'll understood. but his
expression Of them today was profoundly
interesting and even impressive. When the
venerable senator began to speak every
member at the capitol was In his seat and
for the two hours and a half his address
consumed he was accorded the most care
full attention, not only by his colleagues on
the moor, but also by the people in the
thronged galleries.
Mr.. Hoar confined himself closely to his
manuscript. He denounced the attitude Of
the government In the Philippines as one
Of the most wicked and foolish chapters in
American history. He urged that the
United States withdraw from the islands
and permit the people to erect their own
government, as had been done in Cuba.
He arraigned General Funston for the
methods they pursued in the capture Of
Aguinaldo and intimated strongly that had
the senate been aware Of the facts Funs-
ton might not have been confirmed in his
recent promotion.
Hopes Government VIII Leave.
He hoped that as the irrevocable step
nhQ not DeeD lhhen Dy the OulleQ Slhles
better counsels would yet prevail and that
this government would leave the Philip
pines. Spontaneous applause swept over
the senate and the galleries at the conelu-
sion Of the speech. Such a demonstration
IL very unusual on the floor Of the senate.
So pronounced was 1t that the presiding
oficer called the attention OF senators to
the rule prohibiting any expression Of APP
prevail or ~disapproval.
Mr.. Teller Of Colorado delivered a speech
in the nature of a history Of the legislative
proceedings through which the new Cuban
republic was erected.
Mr.. Hoar. IN his Philippine speech. main
tanned that this country is o at war.
You are fighting for sovereignty" he said.
you are fighting for the principle of
eternal dominion over hat people. and that
10 the only question at issue in the conflict.
Cruelty on Both sides.
when It had been determined TO resort
TO force in the Philippines" he said, "the
government took upon itself the natural
consequences Of that decision. The result
Of the conflict OF arms Of such a charao-
ter, inevitably was that there would be
cruelty on one side and retaliation. by
cruelty on the other, and the responsibility
rested upon those who made the policy"
Mr.. Hoar said he arose to denounce what
seemed to him one Of the most wicked
and foolish chapters In history; yet he
was compelled TO admit" be said, that the
men who were responsible for 1t were
neither wicked nor foolish"
Mr.. Hoar maintained that his conscience
would not permit him to follow the men,
and his conscience was the only authority
he felt bound to obey in this matter. He
said that the share which 1t was proposed
TO give the Philippines in the proposed
scheme OF government was an admission
that many OF them were ht for self-gov-
eminent. THE United States was fighting
to secure q dependency, not a republic; q
government OF our making and not a gov
eminent OF the F%ilipinos' making"
Discussing the testimony taken by the
Philippine committee, Mr.. Hoar said 1t
had contained some pregnant admissions.
"What vindicates that which has been done
so far Is the saving of the islands from
anarchy, and the material benefit con-
ferred upon the Philippine people.
DASHED by Military Glory.
what the fathers OF the republic said,
and our century Of glorious history were
appealed to In vain. Their lessons fell
upon the ears OF men dazzled by military
glory ana delirious with the lust or con-
quest" He compared the situation in
Cuba with that In the Philippines and de-
manded to know which was the better.
MI. Hoar recited a chapter Of the his
tory Of this country which. he said, showed
that the present policy OF the government
was In contradiction OF the Monroe doc
trins, as It was a contradiction Of the idea
OF Independence. He said that II tbs
present way was followed, the declaration
Of independence would be repealed ant
nothing would be left OF the Monroe doc.
trins except the principle OF brutal selfish
ness.
This government had erected a republic II
Cuba and a despotism In the Philippines
Six hundred millions of treasure and 10. 00'
American lives had been sacrificed in thai
endeavor. In the Philippines. the Ameri
can nag had been made the emblem o
saerilese. and the burning Of homes, AM
OF the horror Of the water cure.
What have your ideals cost you?'' In
euired Mr.. Hoar. For the Philippin
islands you have had to repeal the Declare