The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-02-08
FREES PHILIPPINES
WITHIN -FOUR YEARS
Senate Passes Bill, 90 to "a, to Give
Greater Degree OF Self
Government
MEASURE GOES TO HOUSE
Has Backing of President and Will
BE Pressed for Early
Passage


Washington, Feb. 4.-The Phil
ippine bill, which would extend to
the islands greater degree of self
government, and would authorize the
President to grant them absolue in
dependence within four years, passed
the Senate tonight, So to "a. Var
ious Democratic Senator's, led by
Chairman Stone, of the foreign rela-
tions committee, tried unsuccessfully
to amend certain features of the in
dependence clause, but in he end the
Democrats, joined by six Progressive
Republicans, voted solidly for the
measure.
1t is understood the bill will go to
the House with the backing of Presi-
dent Wilson and will be pressed for
an early passage. Administration
leaders tonight seemed confident that
the bill, including the independence
feature, which Democratic Senators
declare squares 1t with the Baltimore
platform, would have the approval Of
the House Democratic majority.
The Republican Senators who vot-
ed for the bill were: Borah, Clapp.
Kenyon, Lafollette. Norris and
Works. BY overwhelming majorities
the Senate refused to modify the
Clarke amendment. which contains
the independence provision, and also
gives the President authority to ex-
tend or withhold independence at the
end of four years if he should find
conditions in the islands unfavor-
able. The time. would be extended,
however, only until an incoming
Congress could consider the subject.
Senator Stone declared the bill
was in reality not an independence
measure because OF the extension
provision, and offered an amendment
to eliminate It, but his proposal
was voted down 60 to II. Senator
Hitchcock. chairman OF the Philip
pine committee, sought to amend the
bill by extending independence with
in four years on condition that the
people and Legislature of the Philip-
pines should ratifv constitution.
This was rejected, So to 25
II am making a last appeal for
what / think is good faith and just
treatment OF he Philippines" said
Senator Stone in urging his amend
ment. 81 aim unquestionably and
Internationally in favor of carving
out the pledge of the Democratic
party by relinquishing control over
the Philippine Islands completely
We are, in this bill, not offering in
dependence In fact, but merely a sug
gestion Of 1t to some future Presi-
dent"
Senator Norris in opposing a pro-
position I'm the bill empowering the
President to retain naval bases in
the Philippines. declared President
Wilsenn had been converted from n
man Of peace to militarist.
"The President" said Senator
Norris, recently announced a pro-
gramme of preparedness contrary to
views he held year ago. and in the
last few days he has changed his
mind on that. Now he says he Is in
favor of the United States having the
largest navy In the world"
Senator William Alden Smith scor-
ed the Democrats for their determin-
ation to give up the Philippines and
declared the American people did not
wish to see the American flag over
the islands hauled down.
''This action is an unjustifiable
and uncalled for surrender of Amer
lean rights" he said. "If these islands
become anarchistic and the people get
to warning among themselves you
VIII be blamed for 1t. as you ought
to be. If other countries go to war
over them IL will date from the day
when you towards abandoned task
which Providence placed in your !
hands and which by this act you are
acknowledging you are unable to
master"
Senator Stone, replying, character
lied Senator Smiths remarks as a
"vocigerous, scathing, dreary, inane,
partisan harangue."
AS passed the bill carries provis-
ion authorizing the President when
independence is granted TO negotiate
treaties to adjust all propery rights
of citizens OF the United States and
other countries in the islands, and TO