The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-15
Senator Lodge Thinks Colleague $
Resolution a Reflection on
His Committee
FAMOUS LAWTOA LETTER
ENTERS INTO DISCUSSION
Philippine Question Comes Up In the
Senate for the First Time This
Session and Brings Out an
Acrimonious Debate.

washington, January 14-For the first
time this session the Philippine question
was touched on in the Senate today. The
interest taken indicates that 1t will occu-
py the attention of the upper branch of
Congress for some time when the tariff
bill is reported. The Philippines were the
subject of an address by Mr.. Hoar, who
spoke on his resolution providing for the
appointment of a senate committee to
Investigate the administration of those
islands.
Mr.. Lodge. Mr.. Hoars colleague, said
he regarded the resolution as a reflection
on the Philippine committee. of which
he was chairman and the necessity Of the
latter to cease was for the resolution to
be adopted. His committee. he said was
perfectly able to handle any investigation
which might be conducted.
Mr.. Carmack. Democrat, agreed with
rim. The discussion was leading rapidly
to an opening up OF the whole Philippine
question on when 1t was agreed that the
resolution should go over until tomorrow
Mr.. Mason of Illinois made a speech in
favor Of reciprocity with Cuba, and dis
cussed the protective policy generally.
Conflicting Reports.
Discussing the conflicting reports about
conditions In the Philippines, Senator
Hoar said:
Il do not know of any one able to give
a statement of the truth as to the differ
ences between Governor Taft and Cen
eral Chaffee. get some greedful stories
from brave soldiers and officers of high
rank about the manner in which the war
is conducted. have heard of an investi-
cation now going on in regard to one
transaction, which If true. has covered
With roul blot the flag which we all
love and honor. I think there should be
place where and Senator who makes
such suggestion in his official respon-
sbility can go and say 4 want two wit
nesses on that subject brought here and
then we shall know
He said he had been taunted by news
papers for three or four years with
statement attributed. to General Lawton
to the effect that IL certain people at
home would hold heir tongues there
would be no difficulty with the islands.
But what the general Is understood to
have said was that we should stop this
accursed war. 1t is time for diplomacy,
time for mutual understandings.
There is no one. Mr.. Hoar declared, who
can tell whether General Lawton said
tndI OF WuetneT II Is Il forgery. OF Wneln-
or he said the other or it is forgery.
Otis Shocked the Country.
General Otis had shocked the country
by saying that we should keep 10000
troops in the Philippines for a consider
able time, but instead of that number
we have 10000 and Mr.. Hoar asked how
long were we going to keep them there.
IF General Chaffee is right" he said.
fo of in leila orda urho
is not conspiring against the govern
ment and eager for his liberty. Now give
us little light. Take the most jealous
men in this body and give us a commit
tee that will hear the evidence. put ques-
tions, hear both sides and let us know
what is the truth. We are engaged in
the unholy office Of crushing out re-
public, the first great republic ever es-
tablished In the eastern hemisphere. If
we had dealt with this people as we dealt
with Cuba we should have had today
civilized, happy. peaceful republic, send
ing their youths to schools. studying our
laws, initiating our example animated by
love and affection and a gratitude such
as no one people on earth yet felt for
another"
One Of the great events of history, he
said, was the civilization of Japan. An
other was the adoption of the declara-
tion of independence. Japan has just
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of
taking her place among free nations at
which the declaration had been made that
every thing that Japan was she owed to
the United States and yet in half CEN
tury she had encountered China as su-
perior and Russia as an equal.
That came, Mr.. Hoar said. from the ap-
plication Of world-power that he should
like TO have this country exercise. 1t
also came from the application to the
ep-f of +t.1
trine of the immoral declaration.
Lodge Wanted II Referred.
Mr.. Lodge urged that the resolution be
referred to the Philippine committee, of
which he is chairman. and said that If
the Senate saw fit to charge that commit
tee with the investigation of any ques-
tion. past or present, the committee was
competent to deal with 1t and would deal
with 1t honorably and effectively. If.
however, he said, the reason for the exis-
tence of the Philippine committee did not
continue its life would cease.
Mr.. Hoar replied that all he wanted was
that there should be some where a tribu-
nal to take evidence Of these questions
as far as practicable.
1t being evident that number of Sem
ators were desirous of being heard on the
subject, 1t was agreed that the resolution
should lie the table for day.
= Mason Wants Cuban Reciprocity.
Mr.. Mason then called up his resolu-
tion for reciprocity with Cuba. Under the
Mckinley bill containing the doctrine OF
reciprocity. he said the nations of the
world would treat us with much more
consideration; but the Democrats had
ridiculed this policy. The Dingley act
however. furnished the first opportunity
to the Republican party to redeem its
promise
In conclusion Mr.. Mason said:
There are men whose patriotism | do
not question today who are willing to
bind Cuba hand and foot as to commerce
with other nations of the world, and by
refusing reciprocal trade with our own
country to administer to the little repub-
lie commercial starvation until she
knocks at our door for admission. i can
not and Will not so vote.
The Senate at 2:Ss p. m. adjourned.