New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-06
THE CAPTURE OF MANILA.
GENERAL HUGHES HAS A SHARP COL
LooUY WITH SENATOR PATTERSON.

Washington. March General Hughes was sub
5ected r series OF questions by Senator Patter-
son and other minority members Of the Committee
on the Philippines in the course OF his testimony
to-day. In reply TO these questions he said that
the Filipino forces would have been OF little as
sistance If 1t had been necessary capture Manila
from the Spaniards by assault
The capture of that city by pre-arrange-
rnent between General Merritt and Admiral Dewey
and the Spanish commander. was 1t not?" Mr.. Pat
terson asked
II know nothing about that" replied General
Hughes.
las military man. what is your belief. founded
upon your conversation with your superiors7" Mr.
Patterson then asked.
Senator Beverage insisted that the question was
not proper but Senator Patterson insisted that it
81 would ask" said the witness. eff 1t would not
be much better to excuse from answering, in
view OF the fact that General Merritt is IN Wash
ington, and you can get the information from him
first hand"
u prefer TO ask you. and you can answer as
YOU 1T
81 don't think ought to answer that question
replied General Hughes.
In reply to further questions the witness said
the FIlipinos had aided the Americans materially
By their knowledge OF the country and the &C
corumodatiorls they had supplied. but they had
never been considered & part of fighting force
IN the operations against the Spaniards. The
principal consideration in connection with them
was 10 keep them out Of the way, he said
In response to other questions by Mr.. Patterson
General Hughes said he certainly would construe
General Otiss remark, referred to in his report OF
September b. 1885, he would use force to com
pei the insurgent troops 10 retire to the line oess
mated by General Merritt, as meaning that ne
would use the United States military forces:
Senator Patterson was pressing Ieneial 1usnes
as 10 the motive OF General Otis for requiring the
Insurgents to retire the line designated when
Senators Beverage, McComas and Lodge objected
question General Hughes said however, tnat
ARuinaldo complied with the order except as TO one
no Indication Of enmity on the part OF the Fill
pinos. -. A., .
OF General Otis. in which the general SAID that
with the navy side and the insurgents on
The other the spaniaTds had been bottled up In
Manila, remarked that this statement oio not
Why not?' sharply asked the general.
Mr.. Beverage vigorously objected TO this line OF
questioning, tending, ne SAID; 10 put GeheIs
Hughes in the attitude Of criticising superior Of
dcer. -
General Hughes, showing some impotence. said !;
man would have left Manila 20 the insurrectos."
Senator Lodge addressing Senator Patterson with
some degree OF irrita bilfty. said:
You must not ask General Hughes 10 criticse
his superior officer his reports or anything else
General Otis is strong enough to stand criti-
NJ Patterson denied that he was crticising Gen
ersl Otis. which brought a quick retort from Cen
eral Hughes. who remarked: Then you are trying
70 criticise me-
Il am only trying TO reconcile the differences be-
tween you and General Otis" answered Senator
Patterson.
IF there are any differences between General
Otis and myself, and you will point them out I
VIII try TO set them right" replied General Hughes
with warmth.
This ended the colloquy. and Senator Rawlins
asked few questions of the witness. intending 10
CURED outside Manila, but General Hughes IN
sisted that II happened inside the town.