Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-07
THE DELAYED REPORT
MADE CHARGES AGAINST MILL
TARY ADMINISTRATION.
Senate Philippines Committee Calls
on the Secretary of War for
the Document.

the Document
The hearings by the Senate Philippines
committee on the situation in the Philippine
archipelago were resumed today with Ma j.
Gen. Arthur Macarthur on the stand, but
before he had begun his testimony Senator
Culberson, one of the democratic members
of the committee, took occasion to call at
tention to the omission of the report of
the civil governor of one of the Philippine
provinces from the record of Gov. Taft's
testimony. This is the report referred to
in the correspondence between Gen. Miles
and Secretary Root, of which the secretary
said:
Charges Against the Military.
The reference in the memorandum to the
letter of Gov. Taft to the Secretary of War
dated February I, 1902 is to a letter trans
mitting for the purpose of an investigation
by the military authorities report by the
civil governor Of the province of Tayabas.
containing in general terms and without
specifications or names serious charges
against the military administration in that
province and against the conduct of the
army generally in it's relations to the civil
government.
Senator Culberson quoted this paragraph,
supply these reports of the civil government
to the committee as they should be re-
ceIved. Il don't care about the controversy
between General Miles and the Secretary
said Mr.. Culberson, but submit that the
governor of the archipelago ought not to be
allowed to violate the rules of the commit
tee. | therefore urge that in accordance
with the understa ndings had with Governor
Taft we should have this report and all
others of similar character. He ought not
to be allowed to withhold 1t.
Mr.. Culberson's Motion.
He added that the report in question had
been received by Governor Taft while he
was before the comn1sstee. 1t was evident
that this report had reflected on the mill
tary administration of the Philippines and
he moved that the chairman of the COM
mittee be requested to procure and present
this report. He understood the report had
been withheld for the purpose of procuring
a statement to be presented with 1t calcu-
lated to parry it, but he thought the report
should be presented now, and ii there was
countervaiiing testimony II could be re-
ceived later. He took occasion to object
to what he characterized as the effort OF
the Secretary Of War to direct and control
the proceedings of committee of the
Senate.
Senator Lodge replied that he had known
nothing Of the report that had been with
held until he had read the statement quoted,
and he had then learned that it had been
referred to Gen. Chaffee in order to secure
his comments upon it. Undoubtedly, he
said, the Secretary had thought that the
charges against army officers should not be
sent out without an explanation of them.
Senator Allison suggested that Governor
Taft had been i'll since his appearance be-
fore the committee and that he should be
written to upon the subject.
Senators Rawiins and Patterson indorsed
the position of Senator Culberson.
Mr.. Rawlins' Charge.
Mr.. Rawlins said that II the investigation
was to be more than mere farce the re-
port should be called for. He took occa-
sion to say that the Secretary Of War had
withheld other information which had been
called for even by the Senate, and he in
stanced the report made by that official on
the question Of the transport service, say
ing that the Secretary had in his reply
withheld the reports made by government
inspectors which were on file In the depart
ment. He also stated that the civil COVER
nor of Tabayos had been major in the
United States army, and he said that the
press dispatches indicated that he and other
civil officers Of the province had been placed
under arrest last Friday, doubtless" he
added, because Of the character Of the re-
port"
Mr. Carmack expressed the opinion that
the Secretary of War had "come into pos
session Of information that did not suit
his views and is trying 10 suppress 1t un-
til he can cook up something to break the
force of it,
Secretary Asked for the Report.
Senator Culberson changed his resolution
as to call directly upon the Secretary Of
War for the report, with request to forward
any Information he may have from Gen.
Chaffee, and in this form the resolution
was adopted.
Gen. Macarthur then began his state
ment, which he said. fwould be a review
of his observations in the Islands. and opin-
ions he had formed He said that after a
complete study Of the situation he had con-
cluded that permanent American occupa-
tion of the islands was advisable
The general had not eoncluded his state
ment when the committee adjourned until
1870 o'clock tomorrow.