Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-03
MASON PLEADS FOR FILlPINos
Policy in the Philippine
Islands.

WASHINGTON, June 2.-Little interest.
either on the floor or In the galleries. was
manifested in the senate debate on the
Philippine government bill today under the
hfteen-minute rule. At two or three stages
1t almost died Of hamilton.
Mr.. Mason OF Illinois, in a vigorous
speech, differed from the majority in the
treatment proposed for the Filipinos. He
argued that no reason existed for accord
ing to them a treatment different from
that accorded to the Cubans, and strongly
advised that they be afforded the right to
govern themselves. He said he would not
have voted for the Paris treaty but for the
open understanding among senators that
the Filipinos we're to be given their inde-
pendence as soon as they were ready for It.
other senators who spoke we're Messrs.
Hoar. Foraker, Cullom, Baker, Patterson,
Teller, Carmack inc Proctor. Early in
the session some amendments were made
TO the bill by the Philippine commission,
the most important Of which related to the
disposition of the public lands In the ISL
ands.
General debate on the Philippines gov
eminent bill having been concluded. the
senate convened at IL o'clock today, the
arrangement being that the debate on the
bill should proceed under the hfteen-min-
uate rule.
Mr.. Lodge, in charge Of the bill, offered
several amendments, principally of a verbal
nature, to the bill. One of the most inn
portant was an amendment striking out the
words Nor more than 5000 acres to any
association Of persons" relating to the dis
position of public lands, and inserting a
provision that mo such land shall De leased,
let or devised to any corporation until a
law regulating the disposition of the public
lands shall have been enacted and ap-
proved"
Another amendment provided that here
after no corporation should be authorized
to engage in agriculture until provision
should be made therefor.
An additional amendment provided that
the laws relating to entry, clearance and
manifests Of steamships and other vessels
arriving from and proceeding to foreign
ports shall apply to voyages each between
the Philippine archipelago and the United
States and the aforesaid possessions thereof
and all laws relating to the collection and
protection Of customs duties not inconsis-
tent with the Philippine revenue acts shall
apply in the case of vessels and Its afore-
said possessions"
The provision relating to franchises was
amended so as to prohibit corporations
from employing persons held in slavery or
involuntary servitude.
A new section was added to the bill
providing that the treasury OF the Philip
pine government Ahall be a depository for
such public moneys as the secretary Of the
treasury may direct.
Mr.. Mason Of Illinois made a speech early
In the session, In which he took strong
grounds against the general policy of the
United States in the Philippines. His
speech was listened to with interest or
both sides Of the chamber. He mentioned
the great cost Of carrying on the war and
OF IT'S little value to the United States
He would not have voted for the peace
treaty but for the open and notorious un-
dersanding among senators that there
was to be a vote on the resolution to give
the Filipinos ell -government. This would
have prevented the war. "why not try It
he asked. He declared no harm could come
from the attempt.
Mr.. Mason said this republic was strong
enough to be independent OF what other
nations might say II we should compromise
with these poor struggling people. He asked
why one plan should be adopted for Cubt
and another for the Philippines, TIT
Philippine lesson was not without its good
for when we attempt to govern people with
out their consent the charnel house will
rise before the people for their good.
MI. Hoar of Massachusetts, said b,
charged the outrages committed in tn,
Philippines upon imperialism. He spoke o
what the miserable doctrine of buying soy
e~reignty with gold" had cost.