New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-04
THE ARMY DEFENDED.
REPUBLICAN, SENATOR'S RE
PLY TO DEMOCRATS.

Try TELEGRAPH TO THE rRlRr>E.I

Try TELEGRAPH TO THE JNE.l
Washington. MAY 3.-The Senate listened to-
day to a few last sputterings on the part Of
the minority over the Gardener case. The Pat
terson resolution requesting the Secretary of War
to summon Major Gardener al once from his post
of duty in the Philippines. laid again be
fore the body and Mr. Rawlins unburdened him
self of final lament at the refusal OF the Phil
ippine Committee 70 pick out Major Gardener
az the one Indispensable witness among all the
officials civil and military. now serving in the
Philippines, and bring him to Washington at
time when the authorities there are trying
to get from him the specifications on which his
general charges of malddministration and cruel
y were based. Senators Lodge and Spooner, In
pursuance Of the newly announced policy Of the
Republican side to discuss and explode the
accusations aimed at the military and civil or
der in the Philippines, replied to Mr.. Rawlins
with spirit and effect and Mr.. Lodge gave
notice that he would reply to the minority's
cavillings and criticisms in a set speech on Mon
day next.
MR. LODGES EXPLANATION.
NJ Lodge chairman of the Philippine Com
mittee explained that when it had been learned
that Major Gardeners regiment would not leave
the Philippines until about June 10 the com
nittee had decided To secure Major Gardener $
presence as soon as possible. Later it was found
that Major Gardener had filed no specihca-
tions of the charges he had made to the Phil
ippine Commission. The committee then had re
scinded it's action calling FOR Major Gardener
Yesterday. he sAid, the War Department was
Informed that Major Gardener had filed few
specifications indefinite iu character ana men
tioning the name Of only one officer When an
inquiry was ordered Major Gardener complained
that the investigation had developed into an
attack on him, and asked for counsel \ board
was appointed TO investigate Major Gardeners
charges and some time would probably elapse be
fore the board could make It's report. In the cir
cumstances the Philippine Committee had thought
it well 70 give Major Gardener opportunity
to prove before the Philippine authorities the
truthfulness of his charges-an opportunity
which ne would have, fully and fairly
MR.. RAWLINS CHARGES PARTISANSHIP.
Mr. Rawlins said it was evident that Major
Gardener thought the investigation 10 be made
OF his charges I'm unfriendly hands He said
the bias of General Chaffee as shown i'm his
cable dispatch. indicated that Major Gardener
was reluctant 10 submit himself to an investi-
cation by officers who had been the subject of
his criticisms. Now, Mr. Rawlns continued. it
was proposed to go through the farce Of await
ing the specifications filed by Major Gardener
and the result of an inquiry made by the board.
He sympathZed with the desire Of the Wash
ingtOn officials that the charges should be fully
investigated. but ne held that some tribunal
ought to be selected to make the investigation
without possibility Of the charge OF partiality.
He believed that the committee ought not to
fuse to send for Major Gardener, as his test-
mony extremely important.
MR.. sPoONER's DEFENCE OF THE ARMY.
Mr Spooncr said that the observations OF Mr..
RawIns were characteristic of the action Of the
Democrats in the course Of this debate He had
fee, and had discovered nothing indicating bias
his part.
The Senator from Utah" continued Mr..
Spooner, seems to be blinded with suspicion
Of the army and Of almost everybody charged
with any responsibility in the Philippines" 1t
seemed to him that there too great will
ingness the part of the minority to impeach
the whole American army. Mr.. Rawlins seemed
to think no army board could be constituted
which would searchingly investigate the of
Major Gardener. He denied emphatically that
the officers constituting the board of inquiry
were those who had served In the province of
which Major Gardener was Governor The
charge of Mr. Rawlins he said. was that
Gardener had made a general impeachment of
military officers in the Philippines. no board
could be constituted which would give him an
impartial trial. THE American people" he de-
clared will not believe that charge. because
in the Philippines any other American army"
Referring General Funston. Mr.. Spooner
said he might have talked too much, but If he
had he had done more than some others
who are not in military life had done about
this war in the Philippines. The charge had
been made. he said, that Funston had fought
his way 10 fame with the jawbone of ass.
That was unjust, and unworthy Of those who
made it. Funston had won fame a soldier by
leading the bravest OF men in battle and had
won the same time the commendation of
President Mckinley. one Of the most beautiful
characters in the life of the nation. Funston
had not his fame with the jawbone of an
ass but with his sword
NO CONVICTION WITHOUT A HEARING.
In the Senate of the United States of all
places Mr. Spooper said the effort to besmrch
the reputation and the honor Of the army ought
not 20 be made. Outrages probably had been
committed in isolated instances in the Philip
pines He condoned outrages of any kind
All charges officially made of such outrages
would be Investigated thoroughly. and undoubt-
edlv the guilty would be punished But" said
he the American people will convict no man
without a hearing, and viii convict no man