Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-23
57TH CONGRESS-.
Notable Speech by Senator
Hoar on the Philippines.
One of Most Wicked and Foolish
Chapters In American History,
The Senator Carefully Listened to and
Warmly Applauded.

contribution to the discussion on the
Philippine question was made in the
Senate, today, by Hoar of Massachu-
settle. His views on the subject are
well understood, put his expression of
them, today, was profoundly interest
ing and even impressive When the
venerable senator began to speak. ev-
cry senator at the Capitol was in his
seat and for the two hours and a half
his address consumed, he was accord
ed the most careful attention, not only
by his colleagues on the floor, but also
by the people in The thronged galleries.
Hoar confined himself closely to his
manuscript. He denounced the atti-
tude of the government in the Phil
lppines as one of the most wicked and
foolish chapters N American history.
He urged that the United States should
withdraw from the islands and per-
nit the people there to erect their own
government, as had been done in Cuba.
He sharply arraigned Gen. Funston
for the methods h pursued in the can
ture of Aguinaldo and intimated
strongly that had the Senate been
aware of the facts. Funston might not
have been confirmed in his recent pro-
motion. He hoped that, as the ire
vocable step had not been taken bv
the United States, better counsels
would prevail and that this govern
ment would leave the Philippines.
Spontaneous applause swept over
the Senate and the galleries at the
conclusion of the speech. Such a
demonstration is a very unusual on the
floor of the Senate. So pronounced
was it that the presiding officer called
the attention of the senators to the rule
prohibiting any expression of approval
or disapproval
Teller of Colorado. delivered a speech
in the nature of Il history of the legis-
lature proceedings through which the
new Cuban republic was erected.
Soon after the Senate convened, a
resolution offered by Hale, Maine was
passed, directing the secretary of navy
to furnish the Senate with detailed
items under the head of "the pay of
the navy department" 1t was adopted
Another resolution offered by Hale
and adopted, called upon the secretary
of the navy for full information con-
corning the depth of water at the Mare
Island navy yard and whether a first
class battleShip ever had gone to the
yard; and also as to the depth of water
at the Puget Sound navy yard.
Consideration of the Philippine gov
eminent bill was then resumed, Hoard
addressing the Senate in opposition to
present policy of the government in
the Philippines. Great interest was
manifested in the utterances of the
Massachusetts senator, both on the
floor and in the galleries. Hoar spoke
deliberately and confined himself close
~ to his manuscript. In brief he
spoke as follows:
You are fighting for sovereignty"
he said. You are fighting for the
principle of eternal dominion over that
people, and that is the only question
in issue in the conflict"
When it had been determined to re-
sort 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 character 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.
Hoar said he was to discuss and de-
nounce what seemed to him one of the
most wicked and foolish chapters in
history; yet he was compelled to admit,
he said, that the men who were re-
sponSible for it were neither wicked
nor foolish.
Hoar maintained that his conscience
would not permit him to follow these
men and his conscience was the only
authority he felt bound to obey in this
matter. He said shat the share which
it was proposed to give the Filipinos
in the proposed scheme of government
was an admission that many of them
were fit for self-government. The
United States was fighting to secure a
dependency, not q republic; a govern
ment of our making and not govern
ment of the Filipinos' making.
Discussing the testimony taken by
the Philippine committee, Hoar said it
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
conferred upon the Philippine people.
What the fathers of the republic said
and our century Of glorious history
were appealed to in vain. Their les
sons fell upon the ears of men dazzled
by military glory and delirious with
the lust of conquest" He compared
the situation IN Cuba with that in the
| Philippines and demanded to know
which was the better.
Hoar recited a chapter of the history
of this country. which he said showed
| that the present policy Of the govern
ment was in contradiction of the Mon
roe doctrine as it was a contradiction
of the Declaration of Independence.
| He said that If he present way was
| followed the Declaration of Independ-
ence would be repealed and nothing
would be left of the Monroe doctrine
except the principle of brutal selfish
ness.
| This government had erected a repub-
| lie in Cuba and despotism in the
| Philippines. Six hundred millions OF
treasure and ten thousand American
lives had been sacrificed in that en-
deavor. In the Philippines the Ameri-
can flag had been made the emblem of
sacrilege and of the burning of homes
Continued on page %