The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-04
GENERAL CHAFFEE's MESSAGE
STATING MAJOR GARDENER COULD
NOT BE SPARED AT PRESENT,
Made the Text of an Unvarranted In
situation by RawIiEs, Who Was
Answered Holly.


the body to proceed without interruption.
To-day it was different. Mr.. SpOoner, Of
Wisconsin. Mr.. Lodge. OF Massachusetts,,
and Mr.. Foraker. of Ohio. became aroused.
They spoke in defense of the administra-
ton. OF the army and of Governor Taft,
and they spoke holly, almost unrestrained-
~. The result was one Of the most spirited
debates that yet has occurred on the Philip
pine question. While the debate took a
wide range IL revolved around the resolu-
ton calling for Major Cornelius Gardener,
IN the Philippine islands. to appear as soon
as possible before the Philippine committee
as a witness. As a cablegram from General
Chanee was read by Mr.. Lodge saying that
IL wa impracticabIe for Gardener TO leave
the Islands at present. as he was a special
figure in a court OF inquiry. which was in
vestiSating the conditions Of the province
OF which he was provincial Governor. Both
Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. PettUs indicated that
they could see no good TO cone from a
pursuit OF the discussion and the latter
urged the withdrawal Of the resolution.
At the opening OF the debate Mr.. Lodge,
chairman Of the Philippine committee. ex-
planned that when it had been learned that
Major Gardeners regiment would not leave
the Philippines until about June 10 the
on the Philippines had decided
20 secure. IL possible. Major Gardeners
presence as soon. as possible. Later 10 was
found that Major Gardener had fled no
specifications of the charges lie had made
10 tho Philippine Commission. The COM
mittee then had rescildcd It's acucn calling
for Major Gardener. Yesterday, he said,
the War Department was Noticed that
Major Gardener had filed a few specifca-
lions. very indefinite In character and men,
tiOning the name OF only one officer. When
m - r-aEffuuffon a ordered Major Car
dener complained that the investigation
had developed into an attack upon him,
and he asked for counsel. y board was
appointed 10 investigate Gardener charg-
es. and some tine probably would elapSe
before the board could make its report.
In the circumstance the Philippines COM
rGit;ee had thought it well 10 permit Major
Gardener an opportunity 10 prove before
the Philippine authorities the truthfulness
OF his charges-sn opportunity which he
would have, full and fair.
RAWLINS OFFENSIVE.
Mr. Rawlins said it was evident that
Major Gardener thought the investigation
NrDbe made ofSis charges WIS ia une-isnd-
~ haEds. He said the bias of General Chat
fee. as shown in his cabIegram. indicated
that Major Gardener was reluctant to SUBJ
nit himself 10 an investigation by officers
who had been the subject of his criticisms.
Now. Nr. Rawlins said, it is proposed to go
tnrolsn the farce OF awaiting the SDeclu-
cations fled by Major Gardener and the
result Of an inquiry made by the board.
He sympathized with the motives of the
Washington officials that the charges
should be investigated, but he held that
some tribunal ough TO be selected to make
the investigation without the possibility of
the charge OF partialtty. he believed the
committee ought not 20 refuse TO send for
Major Gardener, as his testimony was eX-
tremely important.
Mr.. SpOoner said the observations of Mr..
EnyVinG nero nrffn rhnr anfnTfGfie of the
action OF the Democrats In the course OF
this debate. He had read carefully the tel
egram from General Chaffee and had dis
covered nothing indicating a bias on his
part. The senator from Utah, said Mr..
Spo0ner, seems so blinded with suspicion
of the army and of almost everybody
charged with any responsibility IN the Phil
ippines.' IL seemed 20 him there was a too
great Willingness on the part of the minor
Mr.. Rawlins seemed 10 think no army
board could be instituted which would in
vestigate searchingly the case OF Major
Gardener. He denied eTnphatically that the
officers constituting the board had served
In the province of which Major Gardener
was governor.
The charge of Mr.. Rawlins. Mr.. Spooner
said, was that as Gardener had made a
general Impeachment OF military officers in
the Philippines no board could be con-
stituted which would give him an impartial
trial. The American people" he declared.
will not believe that charge because they
will know that it is not true Of the army in
the IhlIpplheS OF any othef American
army"
CASE OF FUNSTON.
Referring TO General Funston, Mr..
Spooner said he may have talked too
much. but il he had he had done no more
than some others who are not in military
life had done about this war in the Philip
pines. The charge had been made, he said.
that Funston had fought his way to fame
with the jaw bone Of an ass. That was I'M
just and unworthy of those who made II.
Funston had won fame as a soldier by
leading the bravest of men in battle and
had won at the same time the commenda-
ton Of President Mckinley. one OF the
most beautiful characters in the life OF our
Nation Funston had not won his fame
with the jaw bone OF an ass. but with his
sword.
In the Senate OF the United States. of all
places, said he, the effort ought not TO be
made TO esmirch the reputation and the
honor OF the army. Outrages probably had
been committed in isolated instances in the
Philippines. He cOndOned no outrages OF
any kind. All charges officially made OF
such Outrages would be investfEated thor
oughly, and undoubtedly the guilty youId
be punished. But" said he, the Amer
lean people will convict no man without a
hearing and viii convict no man on state
ments made in the Congressional Record.
They Will demand condign punishment of
the guilty. but the Investigation must be,
by the same demands, conducted with fair
ness and Justice"
Mr.. Spooner declared that he was not
willing 10 vote for the resolution because
the secretary Of war. as soon as the mat
ter had been brought 10 his attention. had
ordered an investigation TO be made of
the charges OF Major Gardener. The COM
plant Of the minority seemed TO be. said
he. that the secretary OF war had not given
the charges Immediately upon their recep-
ton 20 the Associated Press for wide dis
seminatiOn-
lie was interrupted by Mr.. Carmack. who
said the complaint was that the Charges
had not been furnished TO the Philippines
committee.
CASE OF GARDENER.
That is" said Mr.. Spooner. that they
had not been made public? We had heard
nothing from the minority" declared Mr..
SpoOner. except suppression. suppression,
suppression. aud yet every possible effort
Is being made b. the department 10 ascer-
tain the facts and TO punish the guilty"
The minority. he insisted. urged that Major
Gardener be brought here to Washington
60 repeat his charges before the Philippine
committee against his comrades who were
5000 miles away. The sense OF decency OF
the world. he Declared. would be shocked
by such action. Major Gardener. he said.
had asked 10 come here and give his testi-
mcny. Why he had asked he did not know.