The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-29
Democrats Not a Unit as
to independence for
Philippines.
ATTACK ON TAFT
MADE BY JONES
Virginia Congressman sArraign-
ment of Administration in
Islands and His Criticisms OF
the President and Cover
nor General Forbes
Bring Sharp Reply.

Washington January 2s.-Divlsion
that exists within Democratic ranks
over granting independence 10 the
Philippines was emphasized IN the
House to-day. when American admins
tration in the islands was made the
subject of q severe attack By Represen-
tative W A Jones. OF Virginia. chair
man of the House Committee on In
suiar Affairs.
Representative Joness suggestions
for Philippine independence. which
have been considered favorably by
President Elect Wilson. were opposed
by Representative Shirley. Democrat,
of Kentucky. while criticisms of Presi-
dent Taft and Governor General Cam
eron Forbes brought sharp reply from
Representative Murray. Democrat. of
Massachusetts. The speech by Mr..
Jones was both a demand for indie
pendence and d severe arrangement OF
the administration in the islands
Mr.. Jones spoke in reply 10 speech
BY President Taft at the OHIO Society
dinner in New York last Saturday. in
which he attacked the Jones bill. The
President was quoted a. saying the
passage of the Jones bill would result
in a mess and d muss. which would for
ever return 20 plague its makers.
Mr.. Jones asserted that the govern
ment Of the Philippines was not com
parable in any way 10 those OF Canada
and Australia Il shall undertake to
prove" he said. that the government
which the United States has imposed
upon the Filipinos, and under the domi-
hence Of which they are forced 90 live,
s an oligarchy of the most intolcrablc.
despotio ard Unrestricted character.
Denouncing the action of Governor
General Forbes III expending public
revenues as in his sole judgment
seemed desirable. Mr. Jones declared
that many an official has been i'm
peached for less than this.
Cost of Operations.
Mr. Jones said what naval and mill
tary operations on account of the Philip
pines had cost the United states prob
ably never would be known. but that
$500 90 GO. the estimate of the late
Senator Hoar. probably would be nearer
correcs than recent official estimates
Representative Murray charged Mr..
Jones with having 'slanGered Cameron
Forbes and .'debased President Taft.
Mr. Jones denied these charges. but
insisted the ad ministration of affairs
in the islands had violated at least the
spirit of the laws governing the Philip
pines.
The fight that ensued over Represen-
tative Jones's speech brought out the
fact that an investigation of Philippine
Affairs had recently been discussed by
the House Committee on lnsuiar
Affairs. but no action taken. Represen-
tative Murray. d member of the com
1nittee. declared that had ne known
Chairman Jones intended to make a
speech charging Governor Forbes
with being d CRATER he would have
insisted on having Governor Forbes
brought before the committee where he
could reply to the attacks.
4 have not charged Governor FORBES
with being d CRATER" retorted MI
Jones
You have been unuttcrably unjust
to him in the speech you have made,
said Mr.. Murray
Mr. Murray further declared many
members Of the Insular Committee
were wondering If 1t l. wise 20 commit
ourselves and the party" 20 the support
OF the Jones bill. which would give the
Philippines independence in eight years.
lie declared the United States should
not withdraw from the Philippines
until II had made treaties of neutrality
with other nations so Japan could not
seize the islands