The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-09
PHILIPPINES ARE
AN UGLY MENACE
The Herald Secures State
mcnts From 138 Mem
bers of Congress.
MANY FAVOR
SELLING ISLANDS
Thirty-Five Say This Country
Should Hold Them Until Peo-
pie Can Govern Themselves,
and Thirty-Six Are for
Selling Without Fur
ther Delay.

The Herald OF yesterday says that
the United States should dispose in
soine manner of the Philippine Islands
~ soon as a generally acceptable meth
cd OF disposition can be devised. is
the opinion of large number OF
United States Senator's and Represen-
tatives who will serve In the next Con-
Eress. The expressions on the subject
TO date, as given to the Herald and
published In to-day's paper, cover
thtrty-one States, and were obtained
without reference to the political faiths
of the members OF Congress inter-
viewed
One hundred and thirty-eight men
who Will sit In the next Congress have
responded to the Herald's inquiries
the poll still being in progress.
Correspondents were instructed by
the Herald, in getting the interviews
to ascertain views of Senators and Rep
resentatives as 10 the sale or retention
of the Philippines. 1t was also sug-
gested that retention of the islands
5neant material enlargement of the
navy.
"TIs n PerplcxinE MuddIe.
With few exceptions the responses
TO the Heraldls irquiries indicate that
Senators and REPRESENTATIVES look upon
the Philippine situation as most per-
picking muddle. and that day By day
and year by year the islands arc be-
coming more and more not alone an
utter nuisance, butsa positive menace
This belief liz couched In many graphic
phrases. all driving at the same point
With characteristic directness Sena-
tor Henry M. Teller. of Colorado. de-
ciares "tfe Philippines are not wortf,
continental cuss' 10 the United
States and never viii be.
They are n continual source of dis
uuietude and danger" Senator Foster
of louisiana declares he is "in favor
OF getting rid of the islands in anv
way we can do It, by sale or even bv
Texas. said the retention of the Philip
pines means that sooner or later we
must maintain two large navies. one in
The Pacific and ono in the Atlantic"
Even those Senators and Representa-
tives who frankly aver that they are
willing to abide by the platform poll
ries of their respective political par
ties as to the future of the Philip
pines make no concealment of their
he,ief that the Philippines are ex-
pens.ye. bothersome and heavily
charged with danger.
Agree with Herald.
or the interviews received. thirty
elk are agreed that the islands should,
pe Soiu. III tIlEt! -iiNe interviews the
view is expressed that. in Justice to the
Filininos. the islands should be held
until the people are capable Of self
government even If that period be
remote. Only nine favor turning the
Islands over to the Filipinos at this
time. Those who favor permanent re-
tention of the islands number twenty
seven. Twenty-eight are non COM
initial and three favor a protectorate.
While larger number favor get
ting rid of the Philippines. the idec of
sale is repugnant to many, on the
ground that the United States has 4
luty to the Filipinos and should not
treat them as subjects of barter and
sale.