The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-27
NEAR A FIST FIGHT
OYER FILIPINO BILL
House Democrats Revolt in
Caucus: Bitter Altcrca.
tiOns Follow.
TAMMANY MEN LEAD
Wilson's Letter Of IndOrsc.
mcnt Observation-Disclosures to
Bolt Are Uttered.
TAMMANY MEN LEAD

WAsHiNGroS. April o6.--Revolt over
disrupt the Democratic majority OF the
uouse, broke out to-day IN the caucus
called to consider that measure and 10
approve the Clarke amendment stipulat-
ing that the islands shall he left to their
own resources within four years.
\ letter from the President. read TO
the caucus by Chairman Jones Of the
lnsClar Anl!rs Committee. approving the
Clarke plan. tailed TO stem the tide of
opposition on the contrary stormy
debate followed
There were threa. Of boiling II the
leaders attempted 10 force the issue and
angry Democrats impeached the party
lovai:y o: their coleagues Who gave
warEir. that they would Disregard the
caucus decree II II elected 20 take the
course Co!ntcd out by the President.
Or the suggestion of Speaker CLARK
a truce was declared and the caucus
halted the battle by an agreement to
meet again tomorrow night. In the
meantime ,elegl aphic calls were sent out
to absentees Members OF the Tamrany
and Boston delegations were summoned
by TIE yevol;ins opposition TO the irde-
rendcnce I,ar IN tae hope that by
gathering ;Ee.r scattered forces they may
,a'n Tie ,.de asains; the Administration.
wilson's View Not shared.
IT," letter from; the President. read 10y
Representative Jones. expressed his
''unqual fed Endorsement OF the meas
IRE and urged It's passage without
amendment, and without dissenting
Democratic vote II was received VITA
some applause. but It soon became evil
dent that many members Of the majority
party In the House did not share the
Presidents views
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Jones's speech
urging the passage Of the bill without
amendment in accordance with the Pres
ident's expressed views. Representative
Con,y OF New York. o. bvlaif of the
Tammany delegat ion. o1crAi as IA sAib-
sti,u'e Toy the Jones resolution OF In.
dorsement the following
"RcsoIrsd That no action be taken
Oh this o. any other bill affecting the
Philippine Islands and looking TO the es-
tablishmen; of the Independence OF the
same and the withdrawal Of the au.
thority OF the United States therefro,n
until a full. fair and complete oppor-
tunity h. given for hearing 20 all pay
ties interested IN the islands and whose
interests are 70 be Affected by the pro-
posed legislation
Mr.. Conry asserted that The power
credit and potential force OF tho United
States was the bass upon which the
Philippine Government rested and that II
this foundation We're removed /; would
collapse.
Representative Hcnn Of Alabama. an
Administration supporter. attempted to
cut short Mr. Conry. whose friends came
10 his rescue and "a hubbub followed
The Kentucky delegation then Joined
the standard OF the revolving Tammany
Democrats. and Representative Sherley
characterized the independence measure
a. "A dangerous proposal.
Threats to Holt.
Representative Fi;zgcrald of New
York followed. donouncing the bill and
implying that he would oppose 1t no mat
ter what the caucus might do, Recall
citrant speeches we're also made by Rep
resenta,ives gallagher OF Illinois and
lgoc of Missouri. who asked why pro-
hib!,ion should be forced on the islands
II they were able TO govern themselves.
Representative Ferris of Oklahoma en-
tered the lists Of the Administration and
demanded obedience to the caucus de-
cree. but when Representative Garrett
OF Tennessee moved to lay the Conry res
olutlon or the table the revolt became
50 serious lVHt SpedkcT 'M'h
threatened physical encounters by pro-
posal to adjourn until tomorrow eve
ming,
The alterations continued even after
tine caucus had adjourned between the
loyal Democrats and the dissenting mem
bers. but there were no actual encounters.
The dlstul bance in the caucus dis
closed that the opposition to the Philip
pine independence is prepared 10 20 to
extreme lengths and the situation as
eumes even q graver aspect because of
the open opposition Of the Tammany
delegation TO the Administrat on.
There are said to be at least thirty
five Democrats in the House who will
not subml. to caucus decree to carry
out the Presidents purpose few ad-
heren,s to the independence bin might be
obtained from .he Republican ranks, but
on the whole il is predicted that tho
minority Will stand fairly solidly against
the proposition.
NR-AnnA AnnY nnU cnyyNvYn