Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-13
DEBATE STILL RACES.
Philippine Discussion in Senate In
creases In Bitterness.
BEVERIDGR SCORES THE OPPOSITION.
Rnwllns and Cnrmack Resent Impu-
tntion of Unfairness President
Has No Objection to French
Honors for Dewey and Stiles.

Washington, May 7.-For almost
four hours Tuesday a fierce discus
sion of the Philippine situation ragged
in the senate. 1t was started by Sen
ator Beveridge, of Indiana, who made
some sharp structures on the mem |
bers of the opposition, because, as he /
said, they persisted in selling in
their speeches only one side OF the |
story. While he admitted that some |
outrages had been committed by |
American soldiers in the Philippines, |
it was true, too. that unparalleled |
kindness had been shown by the
American troops to Filipino prison
ers and Filipino wounded. Food and
medicine, he said, had been shared
with them, and they had been sue
cored on the battlefield and cared
for tenderly in the hospital. While
saying that the omission to tell this
side of the story by the democrats
was unintentional, he suggested that
it was unfair to make an arraign-
ment of the American soldier and
not tell both sides.
Senators Carmack and Rawiins
warmly resented any imputation of
unfairness. Senator Rawlins declared
| that no partisan motives had actuat-
| ed the opponents of the present Phil
| ippine policy, but that they were
moved only by patriotism and love
of country.
Senator Turner (Wash) delivered
scathing criticism of the methods
practiced by the military authorities
in the Philippines. dwelling particu-
larly upon the alleged order of Gen.
Smith, whom he denounced as
monster in human form. He urged
the Philippine committee to turn all
question to the eud that the people
might be fnlly informed OH the stu
ation.
Senator Hoar (Mass.) briefly de-
Tended the action of the Philippine
committee, saying that already it had
furnished much valuable Informal
ton. He urged that the committee.
in all justice, should call some prom
inent Filipinos to testify in their own
behalf.
May Continue for snme Time.
Washington May 7-Ihere has
been more ca. less speculation among
senator's as 10 the probable time the
present debats on the Philippine gov
eminent It'll uflt continue. Senator
Lodge expressed the hope when
spoken to On the sabieGt that o vote
might be secured early next week The
democratic members. of the committee
did not, however, encourage that view
and the fact developed during the day
that the minority members on Monday
evening met and discussed the course
to be pursued. They did not take any
formal action, but quite generally ex-
pressed the opinion that the effort to
secure modification of the bill, if not
its defeat, should be continued for the
present. The opinion was expressed
by some of those present that as the
bill looks to the disposal of the fran
chises and public lands of the Philip
pine people without their consent they
would be justified in making every par
1iamentary effort to defeat it. There
was no disposition shown to prevent a
vote on the bill. It may be said, how
ever, that the minority members of
the committee are quite united in their
purpose to continue the debate on the
bill and are not yet disposed to name
a day for taking the vote. They say
there are still many speeches to be
made.
Story is Denied
Washington, May 7.-The published
statement that the president had
made objections to the declared pur-
pose of the French government to be-
stow the decoration of the Legion OF
Honor upon Admiral Dewey and Gen.
Miles is authoritatively denied at the
white house. 1t is stated that the
question of the bestowal of decora-
tons upon Admiral Dewey and Gen.
Miles was never discussed by the presi-
dent with anyone, and that he has not
the least objection to such action by
President Loubet ON the occasion of
TIE unveiling Of the Rochambeau
statue If he so desires.
The Gardener Charges.
Wa ehingtoIl May 7-Nhen the
Philippine committee met Tuesday
Senator Lodge presented cable
from Geu. Chaffee giving the charges
and specifications of Maj. Gardener
relative to- Tayabas province. These
consisted esf allegations that troops
had burned buildings, ill-treatment
of natives by Lieut.. George De G.
Catlin and rape of five women by sol
diers. Senator Lodge stated to the
committee that ,Catlin had been I'M
der treatment for deranged mind.
Private's Evidence.
The witness before the committee
Tuesday was r. V. Hughes, of Phila-
delphia, formerly private in company
| FL, Eighth infantry. He testified to
seeing the water cure administered
once to native when the troops
were searching for information. He
also saw one native knocked down
, twice by order of Lieut.. Merchant
) and another beaten on the chest
with stick to make them give in
: formation. He said the insurgents
: engaged in similar work and gave
: an instance of an American soldier
> being cut to pieces with bolos. He
testified that the native prisoners
were we'll treated, the sick cared fol
and the food furnished very nearly
the same as that furnished TIL
l ~