New-York tribune., 1916-07-17
Republican Senate Lead.
ers Hope to Kill House
Philippine Bill.
LODGE WOULD TALK
MEASURE TO DEATH
Democratic Haste Gives Hope
That Whole Policy Will
Be Defeated.
From The Tribune Bureau J

Washington, July 16.-Hope Of kill
ing the whole policy of "scuttle" in the
Philippines, even 10 the promise TO
grant independence "as soon as n
stable government can be established
animates Republican leaders to-day as
the result of the eagerness of the
Democratic Senators to get home, as
shown in their caucus last night.
A conference Of the three Demo
cratic leaders most interested in the
bill, Chairman William A. Jones of the
House Insular Affairs Committee,
Senator Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock. of the
Senate Philippines Committee, and
Senator John F. Shafroth, was held
Just prior TO the Democratic caucus,
but. despite strong effort. the caucus
declined to commit itself absolutely 10
this measure. Permission to change
the order" of the bills to be pressed,
which was given by the caucus to the
steering committee, is considered as
giving very wide latitude, and the
Republican leaders opposing the bill
were sure to-day that they could kill
the measure.
Weeks Discussion Demanded
Senators Lodge, OF Massachusetts,,
and Lippitt, of Rhode Island, have
served notice on the Democratic Sena-
tors that when the Philippines bill
comes up it will require full weeks
discussion. There is no room in the
programme arranged by the caucus for
a weeks discussion on the Philippines
bill. especially as il is realized that If
once the hope of beating the measure
was reused. and enthusiasm gotten up
over it, there might be no end 10 the
talk short Of laying the bill aside.
The Philippines bill which has lain
on the Presidents desk for
months awaiting action is an entirely
different measure from that passed by
The Senate early in the session. The
bill passed by the Senate contained
the famous Clarke amendment. which |
would have granted the islands lnde |
pendence in from two to five years, in |
the discretion Of the President. In the /
House the entire Senate bill was I
stricken out, and the old Jones bill of /
two years ago, which at that time /
passed the House, but was never acted /
on in the Senate, was substituted. /
There is not an entire sentence OF the /
Jones bill which is not also in this |
years Senate bill.
Wilson Likes Present Bill.
The present bill. however. is regard !
ed by the Administration, and by /
Philippines Commissioner Quezon as a /
long step in the direction of Philippine /
independence. In the first place, it de-
clares officially, for the first time, the
ultimate intention of this government /
to grant the Philippines their indepen-
dence. Then the measure contains a
condition on which independence will /
be granted-"as soon as a stable gov
eminent can be established" The bill /
also provides for the election by the
Philippine people, in the meantime, of .
both branches of their legislature. in
stead Of having the upper house con-
trolled by appontees of the President,
as at present, thus granting the island
ers at once a much larger measure of .
government.
Two alternatives face the Democrats
if they desire to enact the bill. One is .
TO have conference committee ap-
pointed to adjust the differences be-
tween the two houses, while the other
is for the Senate to agree TO the bill /
as passed by the House. which would .
make a conference unnecessary and .
would send the bill to the White House /
for the Presidents signature.
To Adjust Some Details.
The only reason for the Democrats I
wanting to send the bill to conference /
since they know the House will never /
adopt the Clarke amendments to adj /.
just several little legislative details. /
One of these fixes the date for the /
election TO be held in the Philippines, I.
and, through the delay, that date has I
now passed.
The opponents Of the bill are hoping /
that the conference plan will be adopt |
ed, since that will give them much more /.
to flibuster against the