Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-02-03

Accused Of Saluting the FilipinO
Flag-What General LawtOn Said
-Pettigrew's Defense OfHis Order.
Washington, Feb 1.-The debate in
the senate. ordinarily calm and digni-
fled, burst yesterday into passionate
utterances and bitter recriminations.
The debate grew out of a phase of the
Philippine question, and no scene has
been witnessed since the discussion of
the war resolutions in the last congress
which, in sensational features, COM
pared with that of yesterday.
The discussion arose quite uneX-
pectedly. Mr. Pettigrew, who has
precipitated nearly all of the debate
upon the Philippine question during the
present session, sought to have read Il
resolution embodying document witt
ten by Emilio Aguinado upon the Fill
pino insurrection, and containing his
version of the alleged recognition of the
Filipino republic by Admiral Dewey.
Mr.. Lodge, with visible manifestation
of feeling, protested earnestly against
this last effort of Mr.. Pettigrew to Sc
cure the printing of Aguinaldo's state
ment by the United States government
'The reason l protest" said Mr..
Lodge, "is that the document contains
a number of statements that are alb
solutely false. Statements are at
tributed to Admiral Dewey which are
utterly without foundation. Now, the
Anti-Imperialistic league and its or
gan can print such matter as this
without restriction. That is to lie ev-
pected of them. But that tie United
States government should lend its aid
to the circulation of branded falsehoods
concerning the admiral of the navy is
preposterOus.'
Mr.. Aldrich raised 4 point of order
against the resolution on the ground
that Mr. Pettisrew had already IL reso
luton pending providing for the print
ing of the statement as a public doc,l-
ment. The chair (Mr. Frye) sustained
the point of ORDER thus disposing Of
the resolution.
Mr.. Pettigrew gained the floor. now
ever, and addressed the senate. He
spoke in an impassonei manner and
several times declined sharply to yield
to interruptions. He said the paper
which he had offered was translation
made in Boston of a statement written
by Aguinaldo himself. It had been
sent by the Springfield Republican
to this city and submitted to Admiral
Dewey, with view of ascertaining
whether it was accurate or not. The
admiral. Mr.. Pettigrew said. declined TO
say anything in regard to the document,
saying he must adhere to his intention
not to discuss the Philippine question
in any form in advance of the Philippine
commissions report. Now" said Mr..
Pettigrew, admiral Dewey, after the
publication of the document, sends here
a letter repudiating the statements he is
quoted as having made. and denouncing
them as tissue of fails schools. Ad-
miral Dewey did recognize The Filipino
republic" shouted Mr.. Pettigrew, "and
-"
"How?" inquired Messrs. Lodge and
Spooner, in unison.
by saluting the Filipino flag" de-
clared Mr.. Pettigrew. his voice keyed
up to a high pitch. by proceeding to
Subig bay with Aguinaldo's forces and
there receiving the surrender of the
Spanish garrison: by his conferences
with and statements to AguinaldU."
Mr. Hawley objected to the statement
because it is treason. 1t Is lending
aid and comfort to an enemy of the
United tSates. and the senator has been
doing that for months"
Mr.. Pettigrew replied that what he
wanted was to have the facts of the mat
ter placed before the country. lie
charged the state department with hold
ing back information of value to the
senate and to the people, and intimated
that the department was afraid to
publish them to the world.
Mr. SpoOner read an expression from
the late General Lawton, in which tn"
general said: IF | am shot down by
a Filipino bullet. it might as we'll come
from one of my men, because / know the
cont ntinuance of fighting is due to re.
ports sent out here from America"
Mr. Rawlins criticised the censorship
Of the administration ION the threshold
of a political campaign" He also OBJ
jected to the use of u letter from Il
DdlTlbl ike NfcItldl At " toI III SulipOt l
of political propaganda.
Mr. Gallinger complained of what he
called Mr.. Pettigrews sneer at the
American soldiers. and his charges
against the president. To him the
question was simple, and it was whether
we should believe Il man who was in
open rebellion or the hero of Manila bay.
Mr. Jones said the most unfortunate
circumstance that had happened in
connection with the discussion of the
Philippine subject was the disposition
TO cut off debate and suppress facts.
He would have the censorship removed.
not only in Manila, but in the depart
ments in Washington.
Mr. Sewell said that he had opposed
the acquisition of the Philippines. but
so soon rs the Paris treaty was ratified
he had acquiesced in the result. Il
saw the flag attacked he said, land
after that with me it was the country
and the flag, right or wrong. l dep
rccate beyond measure" he said. the
action of the senator from South Da .
kota." He declared that under the cir
cumstances he considered Mr.. Petit
grew traitor to his country and his
conduct as monstrous.
Mr.. Teller made a pacificatory speech
Every senator had right. he said. to
express his views here whether for or
against the government. Still he was
opposed to printing Aguinaldo's state
ment, because it raised a question of
veracity unless Admiral Dewey's denial
was to go with it. He saw no occasion
for the characterization of senator
as traitor.
Mr.. Pettigrew replied briefly to the
accusations against him. He said
that he yielded to no man in his de-
Less Than by Cuban Census.