Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-06
Says Minority ovsrdraws the Reports Of
Cruelty by American Soldiers.
TORTURE EXCEPTION AND NOT ARULE
COmmends Policy Of Roosevelt, Root and
Ohaffee as Humane and Just
CRITICISM INSPIRED BY pARTIsANsHlp
Sfassnchusetts senator says United
States Troops Have Suffered Intol-
cradle Treatment and Been
Provoked TO Cruelty.

WASHINGTON. May SIN vindication Of
the Americans policy in the Philippines,
Mr.. Lodge OF Massachusetts,. chairman Of
the Philippine committee. addressed the
senate today. Long before he began to
speak the galleries we're thronged with
people and the attendance on the floor OF
the senate was unusually large. Mrs.
Cowles the presidents sister, was an In
terested auditor.
His review Of the situation in the islands
and Of the utterances Of the minority in
criticism Of the condition was notably inter
esting. He spoke with deep earnestness and
mt times became eloquent Mr.. Lodge
warmly resented the imputation cast on
the president, the secretary Of war and the
army for the alleged cruelties and atroci-
ties said to have been practiced In the is
lands. He said every effort had been en-
ployed by the oficials in authority to pre-
vent such crueltles as had been referred
TO and measures had been taken to pun
ish those guilty OF them. Such things, how-
ever were incidents Of every war and could
pot be prevented absolutely
ProvOcations for Torture.
He had no defense to make of many of
dhe cases Of tortures which had been noted.
but the men Of the American army had
been provoked almost beyond human en-
ldurance. He recited scores Of instances
of the cruelties and tortures practiced by
the Filipino insurgents on American pris-
,Oners. Men had had their ears cut OF;
rad been disemboweled; had been driven
into streams. and, while drowning shot to
death; had been tied to trees and stoned
TO death by women and children and buried
alive. others had been shot and boloed
treaeherously while succoring the wounded.
In the face Of these horrible atrocities the
American troops had been guilty OF admin
istering the water cure,'' but the instances
OF this kind were isolated and no part Of
the general policy In the Philippines.
He warmly defended General Chaffee for
his conduct OF military AFFAIRS In the is
lands and paid brilliant tribute TO his
heroism and patriotism. AS he concluded
his defense of the American army and the
American administration he drew cordial
applause from the galleries.
RawIins Bianaes Lodge.
In q brief reply Mr.. Rawlins OF Utah
declared that the charges which had been
made were not against General Chaffee and
the army, but against the senator from
Massachusetts (Mr, Lodge) and others who
were responsible for the present condition
in the islands.
Both the sundry civil service and the
bill for the purchase Of the Rosebud reser-
walton we're passed.
Soon after the senate convened today
che bill changing the terms OF the circuit
courts Of the United States within the First
circuit was passed.
other bills we're passed as follows: Re-
Iieving Harry c. Mix from the payment oi
$1,000 recognizance given for the appear
Rnce In court Of A. r. Holt.
The amendment to sundry civil bill post
poning the st. Louis exposition has beer
adopted by the senate.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Proctor oi
Virginia was adopted, directing the secre-
tary OF war to furnish the senate with
copies OF all reports OF all officers OF the
artillery made since January l. 1900, as tC
the condition OF the magazines and EN-
placements OF seacoast guns mounted or
disappearing carriages.
The bill providing for the purchase Of the
lands OF the Sioux Indians In the Rosebud
reservation in South Dakota then was takeT
up. the pending amendment being that o.
Mr.. Teller. eliminating the commutatior
clause OF the bill and providing that set.
tiers, In order to make good their titles Il
the land. shall live on II for five years.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Teller
was agreed to and the Bill was passed.
New Commission TO he Named.
Consisting of the secretary OF the treas
ury, the postmaster general and the sec
Tetary OF the interior, a commission Is {,
be named TO select a site in Washington
for hall OF records. the limit OF cost o
the site being 100000 and that for tn
building being $500, 900. appropriating $40.
900 to pay the salary and expenses of twi
commissioners to investigate the resources
and expenses OF South and Central Amer
lean railroads and the feasibility OF estab
fishing an intercontinental railway; appro
prlating s165OOO for repairs to the Whit
House in lieu OF the t4s. 900 heretofore pro
Vided. and appropriating $4,000 more for
temporary once building to be used Will
the repairs to the White House are Il
progress
At o'clock the civil service bill wa
laid aside and Mr.. Lodge addressed tn
senate on the Philippine government bill
opening by saying he hoped the time woul
come when measures In regard to tn
Philippines would be discussed with vieV
of getting the best legislation possible.
Objects OF the Bill.
One OF the objects OF the bill was I
help TIE development Of the island. Tn
opponents OF the bill. he said. had charge
that Il opened the way 10 exploiters, syn
dieates and carpet-baggers. He was awar
OF the general hostility OF the demoerati
party to any man who has made money o
Is making money.
Mr.. Ledge discussing the testimony c
Governor Taft. declared that he was on
OF the most candid and fAir-minded 9
men, who had made great saerinces to g
TO the Philippines. He paid high tribut
also to Acting Governor Luke Wright an
declared that II he and Governor TAFT wer
not to be trusted no American was to
trusted.
The attack OF the minority however. ha
=. not been confined TO the Philippine com
mission. Democratic senators had made a
HGtAek on the army. because II had bee
charged cruelties had been committed o
Fiiipinos.
RepetitIon of old Howl.
The army had been victorious. and
the Philippines Il now meets the san