The Washington times., 1913-01-23
JONES WILL START
NEW DISCUSSION ON
PHILIPPINE RULE
Appropriations for Forts Are
Grounds for His Delivery of
Blunt Speech on Question.

me initial skirmish in the Democra-
Tic plan for the independence of the
Philippines will be seen in the House
when the Notifications Appropriation bill
is called up. Chairman Jones, of the
lnsular Affairs Committee. said today
that he had arranged TO deliver a
speech on the Philippine question dur
ing the general debate on this bill. and
he would tell the House a few blunt
facts concerning the islands.
Congressman Jones is author of the
bill to grant the Filipinos independence
at the expiration of seven years. The
1nsular Affairs Committee has abandon
ed the plan TO bring the bill up under
. a-special rule at this short session, but
as soon as the Democrats come into
full control of the Government the fight
over the little brown men, viii be en-
in earnest
In accordance with platform declara-
tions, a majority of the Democrats, in
Guiding the President-elect. are pre-
sumed to favor the independence of the
Philippines. but the Republicans and a
few Democrats In the House and Senate
are opposed, to the relinQuishment of
control. -..sr-- .,'... .s=.-
{ House Hears Question.
The Philippine question was aired in
the House for a few moments late
Tuesday, when. Congressman, Helm of
Kentucky sought to strike from the
army appropriation bill a $500, 900 item
for barracks at Manila. The item re-
. mained in the bin, but Mr.. Helm as
serted that the Democratic party had
three times declared for Philippine in
dependence, and that it was useless to
keep appropriating money for barracks
If our soldiers are going to leave the
islands
He continued:
Il believe we will pass at the. extra
session a bill declaring for the inde-
pendence of the Philippines. and it oc-
ours to me that it is unwise at this
time to be embarking further upon an
enterprise OF this character. This ap-
preparation Is part of a 5000. 900
scheme to erect barracks quarters, and
stables for a regiment of cavalry. field
artillery, etc. If we are going to turn
the archipelago over to the natives. this
Treasury.
Soct ViIotooSyooO.
THE Philippines, from 1898 to 1902
cost US more than y17eoO0.ooo. The chief
of staff reports that since the treaty
of Paris was signed. down to August,
1911. the army has cost us s167. 900 0o0
more than it would have cost If we had
not had to keep So many soldiers in the
islands"
Congressman Sherwood of Ohio 5ug-
gested that pensions for relatives of
soldiers killed in the Philippines would
add another sS.Ooo,0o0 and said that the
Anti-Imperialistic League of Boston.
has estimated that the total cost Of the
islands has been more than a billion
dollars. p 5--Fssf
The next President will be Demo-
crat. !" said Mr.. Helm.
BY title" remarked Congressman
Mann of Illinois. the Republican leader.
Sticks. to Platform.
You will And that he will be a good
performer as a Democrat said Mr.
Helm. s.and that he is standing square
ly on the Baltimore platform, which
declares for Philippine independence" &"
1t is not where be is standing, but
which way he is moving that is i'm
portant," volunteered Mr.. Hamilton.
Republican, of Michigan.
He :s. moving away from those is
lands" said Mr.. Helm.
Loud Democratic applause greeted
this statement.
Congressman James Hay of Virginia,
chairman of the Military Affairs Com
nittee, declared It was too early 10 tell
what would be done with the Philip
pines, and he opposed striking out the
$4,000 item on the ground that the
Democratic scheme contemplated hold
way, and the American soldiers needed
quarters during that time. He said 1t
was necessary To keep troops on the
islands to preserve order. > --.s