The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-11
APPEAL FOR PEACE
PETITION FROM 1000 FILIPINos
READ IN SENATE.
THEY ONLY ASK FOR LIBERTY
WILLING TO ACCEPT AN AUToNo-
NOUS GOVERNMENT.

!
II. Wilson and Shafter to he Pro-
mOted to Major Generals of the
Regular Army and Retired, Ac-
cOrdinE to Senate Amendment 10
Army Bill.
Washington, Jan. 10.-Considerable prog
ress was made to-day by the Senate with
the army reorganization bill but the final
vote upon the measure seems to be as
far off as ever To-day's proceedings
were characterized by several sharp col
loquies, some of which were of a person
! al character.
An appeal was presented by Mr. Teller
of Colorado, from more than 1900 persons
in Manila, urging the United States gov
ernment to cease its operations against
the Filipinos. The appeal is sensational
in its statements and so unusual in form
that Mr. Hawley of Connecticut made
a vigorous objection to its publication as
a document He declared that it was a
treasonabie denuucation of the govern
ment, and an attack upon our soldiers.
Mr. Teller presented a memorial from
zoos Filipino and peaceful Inhabitants
of Manila. The memorial was in the form
of an appeal to the Congress of the
United States, and, as Mr.. Teller stated,
was signed personally by the leading
people of Manila, and that section, law
yers, bankers and professional men rep
! resenting the best elements of that COM
munity." 1t reviewed the circumstances
leading up to the present struggle of the
Filipinos for Independence It paid
| high tribute to Agunaldo and his coad-
tutors in their endeavor to obtain liberty
and independence for the people of the
| Philippines.
| Reference was made to some OF the prin-
cipal events Of the present revolution
against American authority, the petition
urging that the American troops had fail
! ed to make a serious impression upon the
! revolutionary party. II pointed out that
! Aguinaldo had declared he might lose the
| hope of victory, but he would not lose
! the hope of dying for the liberty and the
| independence of his people. 1t points out
| that the revolution has the support Of
practically all the people of the Philip
pines, and declares that though 100 reyo-
| lutionists be destroyed, 1000 will rise up to
support the fight for independence. All
! of the islands of the archipelago says
the memorial, are supporting the revolu-
ton and they will not yield until the
last drop of Filipino blood has been shed.
The Filipino nation, the memorial con
| tinues, bearing in mind the history of
| America and it's humanitarian doctrines,
asks the government of the United States
to cease its persecution of men strug-
Cling to be free"
The appeal declares that an autonomy
similar to that enjoyed by Canada or
| l1u moi no To NJ to flag
Filipinos, which desire fun liberty and in
| dependence, and they urge the government
of the United States to give them liberty
and independence.
When the reading Of the document haA
been concluded Mr.. Teller renewed a re-
quest that it be printed as document
! but Mr. Hawley objected.
Mr.. Teller presented an order for the
Filipino appeal as a Senate document. Mr.
| Hawley Immediately protested.
| IF Jefferson Davis" he said, had
! brought forward a similar paper after the
battle of Gettysburg, and demanded to
have 1t read and printed as Senate doc
ument, it would have been a mid crime
| in comparison with this"
The order went over until tomorrow.
| Consideration of the army reorganiza-
| tion bill was then resumed, the pending
question being the amendment providing
| how volunteers might be appointed first
| and second lieutenants in the regular
| army The amendment as agreed to
! finally provides that persons not over ~
years Of age, who have not served as vol
| unteers subsequent to April q, 1893, may
| be ordered before boards of officers for
| examination, and on estab ishment Of fit
ness may be appointed first or second
| lieutenaDts, but such appointments shall
not change the relative rank of officers
heretofore commissioned. Volunteer en-
| Ifcf Cd rnar ma fa Ifcn
tenants in the regular army under the
| same provisions as now authorized by law
| for enlisted men Of the regular army.
An amendment adding fifty frst-class
! privates to the signal corps was adopted.
| Consideration was concluded of the com
mittee amendments to the army reorgani-
| zation bill, and the Senate took up the
amendments proposed by individual SEN
ators. The amendments providing for the
| appointment Of Gems. James H. Wilson
Fitzhugh Lee and Gen. Shafter to be
major generals of the regular army and
! retired precipitated an extended and, on
the part of Mr.. Pettigrew, a bitter de.
| bate. The amendments prevailed, how
ever. despite the opposition.
Mr.. Daniel Of Virginia, offered an
| amendment authorizing the President 90
| select from the list of brigadier generals
Of volunteers, two officers without regard
to age for the purpose of appointing the
| major generals OF the regular army ana
retiring them Mr.. Daniel stated that the
amendment was intended 70 provide for
the retirement of Gems. j. II. Wilson and
| Fitzhugh Lee.
Mr.. Sewell offered an amendment TO
| the amendment authorizing the President
to select a regular army officer not above
the rank of brigadier general to be ap-
! pointed as a major general and retired
a provision intended to apply to Gen
! Shafter.
! Mr.. Sewel paid handsome tribute TO
! both Gen. Wilson ana Gen. Lee. The lat
! ter he said, had conferred brilliant SER
| vice upon the country in a ciyil capachy
and It was well known that he had been
selected practically 10 lead the attack
upon Havana. He characterized him as
one of the finest officers in the army.
Mr.. Pettigrew declared the proposed
action was conferring distinction for hon
or not won. He read extracts from SEN
| ator Lodges history OF the campaign
/ and asserted that Congress never pro-
notes anybody unless Il Is sure he has
| never done any hRhtlng."
! Mr.. Sewell made a warm defense OF
| Shafter.
Mr.. SeweHs amendment was agreed 10
/ Il 10 II, and the original amendment as
! amended was agreed 10 without division.
Mr.. Pethgrew offered a. a new section
| OF the bill an amendment providing that
! one-third Of the original vacancies Great