New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-12
THE PRESIDENT ATTACKED
PETTIGREW MAKES SENSATIONAL
CHARGEs-LoDGE WANTS FULL IN
FORMATION ON THE PHILIP
PINE QUESTION
.Es SENSATIONAL
PETTIGREw

Washington Jan. ia spirited and at times
sensational debate was precipitated in the SEN
ate to-day on the Philippine question, the basis
for the speechmaking being a resolution OF IN
quiry offered several days ago by Mr.. Pettgrew'
Of South Dakota to which substitutes were pro-
posed Mr. Pettigrew attacked the Presidents
policy in the Philippines, and made charges
against those who were supporting the Admins
tration He declared that a systematic EFFORT
was being made to prevent accurate Information
from reaching the people of the United states
and that 1t was political scheme to further the
candidacy of Mr.. Mckinley for denomination
and reelection. The discussion was terminated
by resumption Of consideration of the Currency
bill at o'clock
SENATOR LODGES SPEECH.
At the close of morning routine business the reso-
luton offered by Mr. Pettigrew, with the substitute
for Il offered by Mr. Lodge laid before the
Senate The object of both the resolution and the
substitute to obtain from the President IL not
incompatible with public interests, all Information
in regard to the instruction in the Philippines MT.
Lodge suggested that both Mr.. Pettigrews resolu-
ton and his own substitute be withdrawn, and that
the resolution offered by Mr. Hoar be adopted as
a substitute for both, amending Mr. Hoars resoiu-
ton as might be deemed desirable or advisable.
The resolution offered by Mr. Hoar was sweeping
IN It's call for information relating to the Philippine
Instruction but Mr.. Lodge said his desire for all
information concerning the instruction was so
great that he proposed to offer an amendment
extending its provisions.
L had been stated he said, that there was danger
of an uprising in Manila by the Fipinos. with the
object of numbering Americans and all foreigners.
1t had been stated also that Fipinos had threat
ened to throw bombs into the funeral procession of
General Lawton He wanted Information these
points well others. He wanted TO know
what information the Government possessed as to
reprisals on other tribes by Aguinaldo and the
Tagalos. He wanted especially to know how the
Filipinos had treated American and Spanish prison
ers there being q wide divergence OF Information
that point. IF the Government had information
relating to the encouragement received by Aguin-
aldo and the insurgents from the United States
and what effect that encouragement had on the
course OF the rebellion he thought the Senate and
the people entitled to It. This point most
important, and the Senate and the people were
anxious for the truth 1t was a matter too. of
common report that the Anti-Imperalist League
had been urging American soldiers to oppose the
This work Mr.. Lodge thought, had had little
effect because Of the insignifcance of the persons
engaged in II. Little attention had been paid by
the Government to this reasonable action be
cause" said Mr.. Lodge, mo sensible wants to
convert n bore into martyr. though the bore
be malevoleat." He thought there DISPOSE
ton In any quarter to suppress information. He
believed. with the amendment he proposed. Mr..
Hoar's resolution would cover every point which
Information desired.
Mr.. Hoar said he was in general accord with his
colleagues ideas as to the resolution He would
be glad to have the correspondence between the
President and the Peace Commission at Paris. but
at this time would not insist on that He wanted,
however, the recommends lions and instructions of
the President to the Philippine Commission
Mr. Lodge suggested that the resolution OF Mr.
Pettigrew and his substitute be laid the
table, and that OF Mr.. Hoar, with his proposed
amendment, be adopted.
Mr.. PETTIGREw ATTACKS THE PRESIDENT.
his resolution for specific information which he
desired It made difference to him, he said,
what information the Massachusetts Senators
wanted. Mr.. Pettigrew then launched into rather
sensational speech. containing bitter attacks on
the Administration. 1t evident. he said, that
the object of the Administration to keep de-
tailed information from the people, and it was
quite as evident that the political of the
President and of the Republican party was of
greater concern to the Imperialsts than whether
the information asked for should reach the Fill
pinos. 1.-THE trouble with the Imperialsts," said
Mr.. Pettgrew, is that they have COMPOUNDED the
interests of the people of the United States with
the political desires and ambitions Of their puny
President and regarded him and his success as
more important than rightful treatment Of the
Filipnos. II any amendment is to be made to the
resolution. it ought to be made to read that the
information should be transmitted to the Senate
II incompatible with the Presidents interests
as a candidate for reelection The fact Is, this
whole business is bound up in the Presidents de-
sire again be a candidate of his party for Pres-
dent"
CENSORSHIP OF DISPATCHES.
Mr. Pettigrew then devoted time to dis
cussion Of the censoring OF dispatches from the
Philippines. He declared that important and Sig
nifcant facts had been stricken from news dis
patches from Manila and from official reports be-
| cause it was regarded by the powers that be as
undesirable that they should reach the American
| people.
aoftl ofc aid he he In
| treaty was mangIed and partly suppressed until
after the election in Ohio" He discussed at length
the proclamation issued by the President declaring
that il was in such shape that General Otis recon-
mended ii should be changed In order not to pro-
woke hosti1ties on the part of the Filipinos Sub
sequenty, he said 1t altered materially, and as
| altered published to the Philippine natives.
| AS originally drawn II was, to- his mind, q nat
| declaration of war, and when Aguinaldo and his
leaders into possession of the original they so
| regarded it.
| Pettigrew vehemently, was one of concealment
and dupcity intended to deceive not only the peo-
| pie of the United States. but also the islanders
| themselves
| In substantiation Of his charge that the dis
patches from the Philippines were censored in the
| interests Of the Administration Mr.. Pettigrew
quoted from letter written by Robert M. Collins,
Associated Press correspondent at Manila. In this
letter Mr. Collins related the substance Of inter
view the subject of censoring dispatches which
| he had with General Otis Mr. Pettigrew read the
statements of Mr. Collins, in which he said it was
the evident desire of the officials to prevent certain
information from reaching the people of the United
States. When Mr.. Collins filed dispatch contain
| ing information which he thought was proper to
send the United States he had been informed by
the censor that he had been instructed TO cut out
| anything that might hurt the Administra ton.
Later, when he had desired to send story relating
| to the OF silver in the Philippines, the censor
| had told him that his instructions to allow