Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-12

islands were vigorously opposed TO the
control Of this government.
Continuing Mr.. Teller said that mot a
small percentage, but practically no per
cent OF the Filipinos wanted American
government In the islands.
American Array crows Smaller.
Mr.. Plat Of Connecticut, replying TO
some statements made by Mr.. Teller,
pointed out that the American army in the
Philippines had been reduced from 1000 60
less than 10000. He thought It very
strange that the American force could be
reduced thus II all the Filipinos we're strug-
Cling against American control.
I'VE ought to concede facts" he urged.
w ought to take things as they are, and
not things as they be c~onjured up. We are
getting along reasonably we'll in those
islands. Peace will come 20 them and a
government will be established therein
where the Filipinos themselves will have
q large part and which will prove to be a
blessing to hem"
He pointed out that elections were being
held In the islands TO choose municipal on
GERS. aud in these elections all fhe people
had a part. After he had read . consid-
cradle number OF declarations from native
Filipinos, indicating a growing apprecia-
tion Of American control and government,
Mr.. Plat declared that nothing the minor
ity could say would convince him that the
United States government was not making
rapid progress In the Philippines toward
peace and contentment.
Hoar RidicuIes rlatt.~
Mr.. Hoar ridlcuIed the actions to which
Mr.. Plat referred, declaring that under the
sedition laws, enacted by the Philippine
commission 1t was a penitentiary offense
for a body in the islands to advocate a po-
%litical opinion or political policy. He hoped
that the roseate views of Mr.. Plat might
obtain soon in The Philippines. but that he
entertained great doubt.
Mr.. Hoar's remarks called forth a Wig
orous utterance from Mr.. Platt, who said
that his respect for the long and distin-
guished career Of the senator from Massa-
chusetts would prevent him from replying
as he would reply to some others. lie be-
lieved. he said, that the American people
would regret the "sneers'' Of the senator
from Massachusetts, at the government to
educate the children Of the Philippine
islands.
Speaking Of the petition for independence
presented to congress a year ago, to which
Mr.. boar had referred, Mr.. Plat said they
we're paraded here now as they had been
at the time Of their presentation, as posi-
tive proof hat ali the Filipino people
wanted independence and freedom from
American control. He intimated that they
had been prepared by the Filipino junta
"either in Hong Kong or in Boston, and
asserted that they bore on their face evil
dence OF being machine made"
Tribute TO Governor TAFT.
Mr.. Plat paid a high tribute to Gov
ernor Taft and his associates on the Phil
ippine commission, and inquired:
us what these men say about the Phil
ippine Islands to be whistled down by the
wind Of our friends on the other side
reinforced by the senator from Massachu-
settsI Personally. 1 purpose to trust tC
the Philippine commission.
That commission has presented evidence
OF the remarkable evidence OF the progress
being made in the archipelago toward peace
and toward a happy solution Of the situation
there. Civil government has been estab.
lished in thirty-four provinces. and thai
government was being operated to the en-
tire satisfaction OF the people"
Mr.. Hoar interrupted to inquire II Mr.
Platt thought the F1lipinos would havs
adopted the treason law enacted by the
Philippine commission had 1t been sub.
mttted to them. Ban $3.50 sa3s 4
The Connecticut senator replied that ht
could not say, but Connecticut had q law
which the people Of that state had never
found Inconsistent with their rights and
liberties. He read the law, which proved
to be not dissimilar to that which was en-
acted in the Philippines.
Progress of Education.
He pointed out as one Of the beniicen'
results OF the American occupancy Of the
Philippines that schools had been estab'
lished in the islands and that nearly LOO
American teacher had gone to the archi'
peiago to educate the Filipino children
Prior to the arrival of those teachers 1.
the islands private soldiers from the Amer
lean army had been detailed as teachers
in many Of the schools. Against this efor
Of the American government to educate
and elevate the people Of the Philippines
the senator from Massachusetts,. he said
was directing his "sneers and his denuncia'
tons"
Mr.. Plat then read the treason law re-
ferred to by Mr.. HOar to show that 1t wal
directed against the formation Of secret so
~cieties, the purpose of which was, in who'll
OF IN part, the promotion Of sedition, rebel
lion and treason.
at seems strange" said he, that hu
man observation can be SO warped to draw
such conclusions from the enactment o
this law as had been drawn by tho senate
from Massachusetts,"
Government VIII Triumph.
"If we are a government worthy Of tn
name" said Mr.. Plat. with great vehe
mence. whenever men take up arm
against the United States in any distric
or territory whore the United States 1
observed, we will put that insurrectiol
down. No perVersion OF the glOries o
liberty. will prevent the American peopl
from putting down rebellion wherever 1
) may raise its hateful head"
r In conclusion he said: ~
) 81 believe the time Is coming when tn
world shall be Christianized, when tn
world shall be controlled by Christian gov
eminent. and / believe the United States 1
: appointed. prOyidentiaiiy, as agent for this
' purpose"
3 Mr.. Hoar replied particularly 70 Nj
Z Platt's discussion OF the treason law en-
acted by the Philippine commission and hi
statements concerning the Connecticut stat
ute. which he had read. He maintaiae
4 that the Connecticut senator had not quote
! accurately the Philippine statute. beeaus
he had omitted a portion OF Il, which b