These islands represented unique acquisitions, because they were not geographically connected to the North American continent; previous territories had all been contiguous the continent. Cultural distinction islands from traditional acquisitions. to, or located on further separated these Treaty of Paris highlights Girection of changed policy Congress had to determine the ceded islands political status and the inhabitant's civil rights. For the first time in its history, the United States had acquired territory without promising citizenship. Further, the Treaty of Paris hold the promise, actual or implied, of statehood. did not Congress debated the policy implications of the treaty during the ratification process in early 1899. During the ensuing debate, Congress examined the propriety of acquiring territories without defining their legal status. Supporters of the treaty maintained that the United States had a sovereign right to acquire and govern territories. : As such, the United States was responsible for establishing suitable forms of government for the territories and preparing them for eventual self-government. Opponents of the treaty declared that the federal government had no power to hold territories indefinitely as colonies, because doing so was contrary to democratic principles. hood The debate also raised questions regarding possible statefor the newly acquired territories. In February 1899, a joint resolution introduced in the Senate stated in part: "1. That the acquisition by the U.S., through conquest, treaty, or otherwise, of territory part not adjacent to and geographically of the Continent of North America carries with it no constitutional or moral obligation to admit said territory, or any portion thereof, into the Federal Union as a State or States." "2. That it is against the policy, traditions and interests of the American people to admit states erected out of such nonAmerican territories, or portions thereof into our Union. . . at any time or under any conditions." The resolution was not adopted and thus the possibility of evenstatehood for offshore territories was not ruled out. On February 6, 1899, the Senate ratified the treaty by narrow margin, but the issue of status was left unresolved. 9000213 - a Palennent tual