Evening star., 1900-01-31
DEWEYSLEtTERREAD
Sensational Debate in the Senate
Over Aguinaldo.
PErPlGREW CHARGED WITH TREASON
Wanted to Have Printed Statement
Of Insurgent Chief.
AN EXCITIN SESSIO

When the Senate convened today Mr.
Hale (Me) made a partial report of the
conference committee on the urgent de-
ficiency BILL
1t was adopted and a further conference
was requested.
Mr. Allen (Nebr) offered a resolution dis
charging the committee on finance from
further consideration of the resolution he
offered January % regarding the National
City Bank Of New York. Objection was
made and the resolution went over.
Senatorial Debate Started.
At this point a spirited and sensational
debate was precipitated by the presentation
by Mr.. Pettigrew IS. d. of a resolution,
which he desired to have read for informa-
ton. The resolution consisted of several
pages, upon which We're pasted slips Of
printed matter. The clerk began to read,
and it became evident that the matter con-
tained in the resolution was the statement
of Aguinaldo concerning the insurrection
Of the Filipinos against the Spaniards, con-
cerning which Mr.. Pettigrew yesterday Of
fered a resolution to have printed as a
document. The statement contains Agui-
naldo's version of a conference between
him and Admiral Dewey and the state
ment that Admiral Dewey recognized the
Filipino republic.
Mr.. Lodge (dass.)-'1 should like to ask
whether that is the document which the
senator Pettigrew) offered yesterday to
have printed as a public document
Mr.. Pettfgrew suggested in reply that the
reading of the resolution by the clerk would
disclose the nature of the document.
Mr. Lodge, with visible manifestation Of
feeling, called attention to the fact that
there was row pending in the Senate a
resolution to print the document, and de-
clared his desire to protest earnestly
against this last effort of Mr.. Pettigrew
to secure the printing of Aguinaldos state
ment by the United States government.
Denounced as False.
'"The reason 1 protest." said Mr.. Lodge,
''is that the document contains a number of
statements that are absolutely false. State
ments are attributed to Admiral Dewey
which are utterly without founds ton
Now, the Anti-Imperialistic League and its
one organ can print such matter as this
without restriction. That is to be expected
of them. But that the United States gov
ernment should lend its aid to the cfrcula-
ton OF branded falsehoods concerning the
admiral of its navy is preposterous want
to read now a passage from letter ad-
dressed to me by Admiral Dewey:
as recently published in the Springfield Re-
publican, SO far as it relates to me. is
tissue Of fa1sehoods.'
This letter.. continued Mr.. Lodge, "is
sisilSu 0SoIS0 beWey.
Mr.. Lodge again protested strongly
against the publication by the United
States of matter that was known to be
false. He said the lies attributed to Ad-
conversations alleged to have taken place
eighteen months prior to their publication.
He declared it would be imposition upon
the United States to print such a resolu-
ton.
At this point Mr. Aldrtch (R. ~ raised
point OF order against the resolution. In
view Of the fact that Mr.. Petugrew already
had resolution pending providing for the
printing OF the statement as public docu-
nent the proposition was In violation of
the rules.
The chair OIr. Frye sustained the point
of order, thus disposing of the resolution
offered by Mr.. Pettigrew.
Mr.. Pettisrew Explains.
The South Dakota senator gained the
floor, however. and addressed the Senate
briefly. He spoke in an impassioned man.
ner and several times declined sharply to
yield to Interruptions. He said the paper
which he had offered in his resolution was
a translation made in Boston of a state
ment written by Agunaldo himself. 1t had
been sent by the Springfield Republican to
this city and submitted to Admiral Dewey,
with a view Of ascertaining whether 1t was
accurate or not. The admiral, Mr.. Petit
grew said, declined through his secretary
to say anything in regard to the document
teehng that he must adhere to his inten-
ton not to discuss the Philippine question
in any form in advance of the Philippine
commissions 8 report.
Now" said Mr.: Pettigrew, Admiral
Dewey, after the publication of the docu-
ment, sends here letter repudiating the
statements he is quoted as having made
and denouncing them as tissue of false
hoods.
pino republic shouted Mr.. Pettigrew,
and
"How?' inquired Messrs. Lodge and
Spooner in unison.
Mr.. Pettigrew, his voice keyed to a high
pitch. by proceeding to Subig bay with
Aguinaldo's forces and there receiving the
| surrender of a Spanish garrison, by bis
conferences and statements to Aguinaldo."
Mr.. Gallinger IN. H) objected to the con-
tinuance of the discussion.
DenOunces 1t as Treason.
Mr. Hawley (Conn.)-"I object to the
| statement, because it is treason. 1t is lend
| ing aid and comfort to an enemy of the
| United States, and the senator has been
doing that for months
| Mr. Pettigrew replied that what he want
| ed was to have the facts of the matter
placed before the country. He charged
the State Department with holding back in
| formation Of value to the senators and TO
| the people, and intimated that the depart
i
THE threat Of treason he declared.
will not deter us from disclosing the facts
as they may come into our possession"
Mr.. Lodge regained the floor and, speak
| ing forcefully, but in comparatively low
| tone of voice, said: MY objection to this
| pamphlet Is that it is a mass of falsehoods
"a tissue Of lies. l want all of the facts
in this matter. But do protest against
| the publication by this government of mat
| ter that has been branded by the admiral
of the navy as false.
"I did not intend to read all of the letter
| which have here from Admiral Dewey.
| hoped that a sentence would suffice. But
| now that facts are wanted, let us circulate
| all the facts, but not mere statements that
| are branded lies under the imprint of the
| United States government.
| Admiral Dewey's Denial.
He then read the letter from Admiral
Dewey. as follows:
| WASHINGTON. January 30 19oo
"Dear Senator Lodge: The statement OF
| Emilio Aguinaldo. as recently published
! in the Springfield Republican, SO far as il
! relates to me is a tissue of falsehoods.
I-never promised, directly or indirectly, inde-