The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-12
AN INFAMOUS AGGRESSION
Mr.. Pettigrew's Opinion of the War
in the Philippines.
He Asserts That the Impcrin1ists
Confound the People with ..Thcir
Puny Prcsident- - The Sole Con-
sidcration of the Administration
Question of Political Success.

In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Pettigrew
called up his resolution asking for infor-
| nation as to affairs in the Philippines, and
it was laid before the Senate, together with
the substitute offered by Mr. Lodge. The
resolution calls for information as to the
alleged interview between the Filipino Cen
eral, Torres. and General Otis, proposing
on the part of Aguinaldo. cessation of
hostilities and the establishment of :. neu-
trail zone between the two armies.
MIR. Lodge suggested that this resolu-
tion and his own substitute should lie with
drawn, and that the resolution Of his col
league, Mr.. Hoar, should be substituted for
them, subject to such amendments as
might be proposed. He said that while
the Hoar resolution was broad in its re-
quests for information he desired to make
some amendments to it. These amend
ments embraced communications in re-
gard to any plans of the Filpinos for an
uprising in the city of Manila. the destruc-
ton of foreign property, and the massacre
of foreign residents. Mention was also
made of the encouragement given the in
surgents by persons within the United
States, and special request was made for
Information as to the effect produced by
this encouragement. With the amendments
proposed by him, Mr.. Lodge stated that
he thought that the Hoar resolution would
provide for all the information that would
be desired. Mr.. Pettigrey, however. in
sisted upon the consideration OF his own
resolution, and referred to the fact that
previous similar document had been
shelved on the ground that it would prove
an announcement to the Filipinos.
The trouble with the imperialists is
he said. that they confounded the people
OF the United States with their puny Presi-
dent, and that the question of political
success had more effect in their minds
than the question of whether the insur-
cents should be encouraged or not. The
people had right to know what his reso-
luton asked, whether Aguinaldo had sent
word to General Otis the day after the
fighting began that the fighting had begun
by mistake and that he wished it stopped
Immediately and neutral zone estab-
lished; and whether Otis had replied that
the war having commenced should 20 on
to the grim end. These questions we're so
pertinent, so potent. and so important,
that they should be the subject of a sep
arate resolution. and not clouded by ref
erence to other horrible things. The con-
slant efforts OF Aguinaldo TO havs peace
restored had been. Mr.. Pettigrew assert
ed. censored out OF General Otis reports
TO the Government Even the Sulu agree
ment. he said. had been mangled and
partly denied until after The election in
Ohio
Mr.. Pettigrew read extracts from the
Presidents proclamation of December 81,
1895, and said that that proclamation was
declaration OF war. Lay down your
arms" it said, submit TO our sovereignty,
our military rule. or We will proceed
against you by force Of arms"
Continuing, he said that Otis had altered
the proclamation materially, but that he
had sent il to General Miller at Iloilo, and
General Miller had published 1t as prepared
by the President in all its brutal phrases.
The whole wretched business had been one
OF duplicity and concealment.
The expression brutal phrases" was
taken up and resented by Mr. Gsllinger,
who declared that the United States Gov
had used no brutal language to- |
ward the Filipinos.
Mr.. Pettigrew declined to yield to inter- |
ruption and continued his remarks He !
severely on the censorship |
practiced at Manila, saying that the CEN
sors there had been instructed to cut out |
of newspaper correspondence, not that |
" MIN HtAp lHc Dut IIdt
which might hurt the Administration at
home Quoting from General Merritt's re-
port Mr.. Pettigrew exclaimed: IF this
had had a spark OF honor it
would have told the whole truth at that
lime and informed the insurgents that they
had nothing to expect except slavery at |
1ur hands. instead of our parading as their
friends
He also quoted from General Otis des-
patches showing that in the battle OF Ma
nila the engagement was strictly defen-
Sive on the part OF the insurgents and
that the attack was on our part. And
yet" said Mr.. Pe,tigrew, "it is claimed
by the President that the Filipinos struck
a foul blow. Who struck the foul tlow?
Who was guilty OF duplicity? Who was
guilty Of deception throughout the whole
Of this miserable transaction? If / were n
Filipino l would fight till / was grey IL
not killed before. against this unholy and
aggression
In conclusion Mr.. Pettigrew suggested
that it would be desirable to ascertain |
whether American soldiers in the Philip
pine Islands have been guilty of killing
prisoners. desecrating churches, and rob
bing men and women, with the usual hor-
rors that follow warfare.
The resolution went over without action.
and as the close of the morning hour.
which gave the Finance bill the right of
way, shortened Mr. PettigTew's speech,
he annuonced that he would again call
up the resolution at an early date.