Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-15
House Stirred Over Charges
of Atrocities.
THE SOLDIER DEFENDED
HEATED COLLOQUY REGARDING
TREATMENT OF FILIPINos.
The Naval Bill Under Discussion-Mr
Mudd Briefly Speaks Of the
Schley Controversy.

b. ,he House today and the bill was sent
to conference. with Messrs Wadsworth,
Henry Comm and Williams (Miss.) as the
House conferees.
Ry unanimous consent bill was passed
for tn further distribution of Supreme
Court reports and digests to federal officials
and judges.
Also the bill opening to homestead entry
the extensive Ute tract in Colorado, en-
bracing about 9OG0000 acres.
As result of several cases of emergency
illness which have occurred in the House
resolution WAS adopted directing the ser
g-aut-at-arms to provide an emergency
equipment of medicines and Instruments. to
b. approved by Representatives Wilson,
Shawaltcr and Bait physician members.
Naval Bill Taken Up.
Tt. naval appropriation bill was then
taken up aud sn agreement made extending
the general debate until pm. today.
MIR. GroSveuor COhio} said he thought the
tim. had come for a careful investigation OF
the question uf building warships in gov
eminent yards in order that the exact facts
might be- de- ermined- He did not go as lar
IS some Of the advocates of government
construction in asking that all the ne"
ships be built in government yards. as that
would afford basis for comparison. In
one armored cruiser and one gunboat De
built in government navy yard, and one OF
each class of ship in private yard, thus
giving comparative test of government
and private construction, under SuOStan-
italy similar conditions.
Mr. Jones twash) spoke of the lack of
general information on the maritime aHd
naval resources of the great Puget sound
region. and gave many interesting details
Concerning this section of country.
Alleged Atrocities in Philippines.
MIR Vandiver tMoD sent to the desk and
had read u statement appearing In the
Irist, World signed by Corporal R. O'Brien.
Company NJ. 18th Volunteers, giving al
legged details If atrocities in the Philippines,
tn killing of native women and babes
der circumstances of unusual cruelty, IN
clu,iing the alleged use of dumdum bullets
Mr. Vandiver read letter from Patrick
Ford editor of the Irish World. saying
H. had talked with Corporal OBrien, Who
rr4 affirmed the charges and was ready to
make affidavit them. to be forwarded to
Washington. The charges were too hor-
ribl- for belief Mr.. Vandiyer said. if they
were not sUbsl utiaily borne out by official
repor;S Of 1utrages by our forces against
Gin natives. When Mr.. Vandiver asked If
any one in behalf of the administration
was ready to rise and defend the atrocities
b. American soldiers on natives Mr.. w A
Smith CMich.) retorted with an inquiry
whether any one on the other side of the
hamher was ready to rise and defend the
atrocities Of natives on American soldiers,
An Exciting Passage.
An Exciting passage followed between Mr..
Smith and Mr. Vandiver. The latter as
serted that atrocities neither one side
nor ti1e other were defensible.
Il have evidence piled mountain high,
declared Mr.. Eandiver. of cruelty ext0r-
ton. torture. murder. arson. rape and
every other crime known to the calendar"
That is false exclaimed Mr.. Smith.
and hHrl back the charge at the gentle
man and call upon him to produce the
proofs if ne can
The proofs ample aud will be pre-
scented said Mr.. Eandiver.
The gentleman ought to be ashamed CT
himself. interrupted Mr.. Smith. Ito assaiI
thu American army seven thousand miles
from home
Nh NandiVer responded that his respect
Tor the dictates of humanity was greater
than that for soldiers guilty of such cruelty
lie proceeded 20 read portions of the tes-
tinpny before the Philippine committee of
Tn Senate When he referred 10 Gen. Fun
ston- Mr.. Lands Und) interiected 1be
sarcastic inquiry. "Funston-that is the
gentleman who captured your Old friend
Emilio AguinaIdo.
les answered Mr.. Sandjyer land ,b;s
emilio Asuinaido seems to be a great bug,
near to the other side of the chamber"
bHt all his eulogfeS come from that uhe
ntmocratlcb side of the chamber" answer
I'd Mr. Lands
soon after Mr.. Vandiver became engaged
IN d warm coiIoquy with Mr. Hamilton
'Sl''h'- VII" demanded to know how a sta
Die government was going to be maintained
without soldiers.
Confusion in the House,
There was considerable confusion and the
chair had To rap vigorously for order
Mt Nandiver continued to recite cases of
alleged cruelty -
Mr. Mudd on Schley Controversy.
MI Mudd tMdJ gained recognition to
CIV notice OF an amendment he intended to
"ffer |" the bill providing that no part of
tue money appropriated shall be expended
tor an history written by Edgar S Mac
lay Tor use as d text book in the Naval
Academy or in the ship libraries of tn.
navy or in any part of the naval establish
men
Mr.. Mudd. before Offering the amend
mrnt stated that it had been his intention
To DISCUSS AT some length the Schley CON
trpverSH. This. however, he had aban-
duned. owing To the death of Admiral
Sampson The discussion, he said, could
not be- carried on without drawing Admiral
sampson INTO the controversy, and ne had
no desire To do that. as he had great re-
spect Tor his memory. There was glory
'h"ush for all he said, in the Santiago
ca;lpaign. Mr.. Mudd said however thai
he regarded the findings Of the President
regarding the Schiey court of inquiry as
less t-nable than the findings of the court
itS' - i'Hl %autiltdl Scnley. ne SAID, need I'd
n" d"itnse or no favors at the hands of
congress While his name might not be
hefdided by the present officials of the
Navy Department it was. however. held
In the esteem of the great mass of the
American pcopl.. His deeds were written
i;pertShably. he said, on the hulks OF the
Spanish Vessels which strewed the shore Of
Santiago bay.
Mr.. Hills Rejoinder.
Mr. Hin Comm made spirited rejoinder
Il Mr. Vandiver's speech on cruelties in the
Philippines. severely arraignng the Mis-
souri, member and the minority on the
ground. that an ex parte case was being
presented.
THE SENATE.
In the Senate today after the passage of
tire Union station bill, on motion of Mr.
Proctor. the Senate agreed to a conference
on the agricultural approximation hill
Messrs- Proctor. Hansbrough and Bate
were named conferees
The conference renort M