New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-21
NO PHILIPPINE FORTS.
Senate Cuts out Appropriation for
Them-PasSeS Pension Bill.

washington March 20-The Senate to-day,
with little discussion. passed the Pension APP
preparation bill carrying $l400OO,00O. The
Railroad Rate bill was laid aside for the day
and the greater part Of the time was devoted
to the consideration Of the Fortifcatons APP
propriation bill. The question OF the need OF
seacoast Notifications in the Philippine Islands
was discussed at considerable length. with the
result that all provision for such Notifications
IN those possessions was eliminated from the
hill. The. consideration Of the measure was not
finished.
There also was a brief discussion Of the power
Of a conference committee TO amend the Dill
providing for the punishment Of the premature
divulgence OF government secrets so as 10 MAKE
the inhibition extend 10 Senators and members
Of the House Of Representatives, but the SUBJ
ject was not disposed Of
The first discussion in connection with the
FortiAcations Appropriation bill arose over the
amendment prohibiting the use at Subig Bay OF
any Of the appropriation for fortihcations In
the Philippine Islands. Mr.. Lodge criticised the
rroyIsion. saving that over 100000 had been
extended there; that it sure TO be naval
station for the United States, whether the
United States retained the islands or not and
that the advice Of the naval experts IN the
matter should not be disregarded.
Mr. Perkins, In charge Of the BILL said the
o,1y raasOu the committee mad -OE eliminating
es,,b,g Bav was the fact that the appropriation
Of 5000 600 for the Philippines was not sufhclent
70 do appreciabIe service al the bay. He spoke
If the drvdoclz Dewey, saying that If 1t had been
buut I'm California # would be now at It's oes-
+,Da+fon and that the cost was incalculaoly
greater by the route taken
Mr. Allison declared that there was no press
inc need Of expenditure IN the Philippines MT.
rrSi1er moved an amendment striking out the
Trovisfon for the fortihcauon Of the philippines.
and AIessrs Allison and Lodge declared tnelr
Willingness to support such a motion MI.
Teller said that money should not De spent 70
fortifv harbors in the Philippines unless Aohs
conc determined plan. FOTtihcations necessary
ia defend the islands would cost $oUUOUV'VOV' nc
said and even the expenditure OF LAaI sum
,ro771d give no assurance of effective defence,
-riticising the cost Of the Islands 10 the Jhlleu
cts+ae he declared that official Of the gov
eminent had given satisfactory statement,
T-be estimates varied. ne said from S6OOOOO,OOO
IN $3.50 GOO 600 He hoped 10 see the day Wheh
mis- country would be rid Of the Philippines
Mr. FIkins said he did not believe In the sur
render of the Philippines he considered ue
islands great blessing and conJended lnaI u
was not IN keeping with the nature Oh the
Anglo Saxon race to let go or land once IN pos
session He did not believe that even the Dem
.ocratic marty would be willing 10 surrender the
islands II would be difficult 10 ind a nation
hat would be willing 10 take the Philippines as
a gift. Mr.. Bacon said
was accepted % 10 %. On motion Of Mr.. Clay
the appropriatiOns applying only 70 sea coast De
fences in the Hawaiian Islands We're reduced 10
$3.50 GOO. 10 correspond with the estimate Ior
those islands.