The Washington times., 1902-02-07
Senator Hoar DenOunceS
the Measure as Harsh
and Cruel.
A GRAVE And TERRIBLE MISTAKE,
. Mr.. Tillman Says Sympathies
Ale With Filipinos.
FORAKER ON DEFENSIVE
Supports Law as Made Necessary by
State of Wnr-ExiSahcies Justify
Speech DisciniminE Purpose to Re-
tain Occupation of Archipeiago.

speeches for their respective sides of the
Philippine question that have yet been
heard.
Senator Foraker talked for nearly the
entire last half OF the session. and the
Senate remained to hear him until 8
O'Clock. He was frequently Interrupted by
the Democrats. and. as usual, their COM
ments gave rise to many sharp tits that
made the afternoon especially lively, and
kept boil Tie floor and the galleries well
filled. At times the debate grew SO ex
cited that the Chair was forced TO call the
Senators TO order, and on two occasions
he commanded them 10 sit down.
The Philippines Treason Law.
The treason law Of the Philippine Com
mission was the immediate subject. Mr..
Lodge had been reporting amendments to
The Philippine bill, and was interrupted
by the presentation OF the reply OF the
Secretary OF War to resolution of the
Senate (offered some time ago by Mr.
Rawlins, Dem, Utah) in relation to the
treason Law. Secretary Root sent copy
OF the law in question, which was. on the
demand OF Mr.. Hoar read in full.
Mr. Foraker sent 10 the clerks desk and
had read as a precedent for the law sew
eral sections CT the Revised Statutes Of
lhe United States CT the subject OF trea-
SON.
. Mr.. Hoar expressed his regret that the
philippine Commission had had to justify
its act by reference 10 the only harsh and
cruel provisions that were to be found in
1.-THE United States statutes. Any Aneri-
can Government, he declared, which
should undertake TO enact such pro-
vision would be at once hurled from
power.
Mr.. Patterson, a member of the Philip
pine Commission. stated in defence of
Governor TAFT that the Governor was not
present when that law was passed, and
that if he had been present the law would
have been very much modified.
Inus Not the Same.
2 Mr.. Bacon remarked that the sections
of the Revised Statutes which Mr.. For
Aker knt uD TO be read and the
Philippin. -tatute We're as wide apart as
the poles, and he asked whether Mr.. For
aker approved the Philippine statute.
Mr.. Foraker, without answering Mr.
Bacon's question directly. asserted that
the provisions in the two cases were
identical.
Mr. Hear characterized the Philippine
statute as harsh, cruel, and reprehensibie.
MIR. Foraker said that Mr.. Hoar's diff
'ferenIiation of the two statutes was that
in the enc case there was no likelihood
OF any necessity for its enforcement,
while in the other case there was con-
dition OF actual war.
Mr.. Tillman broke into the discussion
and denounced the Philippine statute as
"dannabie doctrine" with the result that
he was very nearly accused OF being a
traitor by Mr. Foraker
1T might be in order" Mr.. Foraker
said, TO enquire of the Senator from
South Carolina on which side of this
struggle are his pathies.''
Sympathies With the FiIipinos.
In excited tones Mr.. Tillman shouted:
My sympathies are with the Filipinos in
their struggle for freedom
Undoubtedly they are," said Mr.. For
aker, very earnestly. And such fat
footed and unqualified declaration as the
Senator has now made would have rem
dered the Revised Statutes just read ap-
plicable to him if he were not protected
by his position as Senator
MIR. Clay Dem., Ala called Mr. For
aker attention TO speech made by him
while the peace treaty was pending. in
which he disclaimed for himself and the
Republican party, and the President, any
purpose TO retain occupation of the Phil
ippine Islands.
Mr. Foraker said that that was a good
speech and was true at the time it was
made, but that no one could tell then
what the future might bring forth.
Mr.. Hoar faceiiously, and amid laugh
ter on the floor. asked Mr.. Foraker
whether this speech would not have made
him liable TO the penalties OF the Philip
pine act.
CHING iao IN ba os
Philippine statute, Mr.. Foraker said that
II was an emergency statute, a statute in
recognition of belligerent conditions, a
statute passed to aid the authorities in
the suppression of insurrection and re-
bellion. 1t was not an unusual statute.
1t was just such a statute as was in force
in the United States during each of it's
wars.
Grave nnd Terrible Mistake.
Senator Hoar then obtained the floor.
and with the silent attention OF the entire
Senate, much in contrast TO the recent
turmoil, denounced the treason act as a
grave and terrible mistake"
Under the provisions of this aci," he
said, THE mother must inform against her
son, and the son against his mother, and
the husband against his wife and II they
do not they may be imprisoned for seven
years,
The Senator from Ohio has subscribed
to this law. He gives it his approval He
is just and an honorable man, and there
are many other Senators who take his
view OF the question who are as honest
as I and a great deal more able.
THE fact that they can approve such a
law shows TO what his whole terrible
business is bringing Us. how it is indu-
sncing our minds.