Evening star., 1902-03-08
WHEN REVOLT BEGAN
EXAMINATION OF GEN. HUGHES
RESUMED.
Questioned Regarding the Opening Of
Hostilities in February, 1900
Labor Problem Considered.

Senator Patterson continued his question
ing of General Hughes in the Senate COM
mittee on the Philippines today, taking up
the beginning of hostilities in February,
1899. The witness repeated his previous
statement that the first shot had been fired
by an American.
Senator Patterson asked General Hughes
what he had meant when he said upon
hearing the firing at first, THE thing Is
on"
There was some sparring between the two
as on previous occasions, the senator in
sisting upon a direct answer and the wit
ness upon replying in his own way. 4 In
tend,'' said the latter, ito answer In the
best way 1 can to cover the whole condi-
tions. l wish to answer In my own way,
as l am informed l have rlght 10 do l
felt that they had made an attack upon
us and that we must defend ourselves he
added.
did you mean simply that you should
defend yourselves or that you shoud make
all attack also
Il had no intention beyond Wnat have
stated"
Mr.. Patterson then sought to bring out
the fact that the attack was mace oelore
the FilipinOs were ready anu Ieh"Iai
Hughes admitted that the Filipino mill
tary leaders were absent in a conference
at Malolos. He said that hostillties were
so active the next day that there was no
opportunity to attempt to heal the oredch.
President McKinley's Proclamation.
Senator Patterson questioned General
Hughes concerning the effect or president
MckinIey's proclamation of January g. 1899,
for the extension of the military occupation
of the United States to the entire archlpel-
ago, asking the witness if there was any
thing to do but to attack the Filipino
forces
General Hughes replied that the policy
was to use only peaceful means so long as
they We're effectual, but that when these
were exhausted to resort to war.
General Hughes said the Filipinos made
their best fight the 9th Of February,
1899. He denied that in subsequent battles
they were slaughtered, but many were
killed when cornered and continued to fight
when they should have surrendered.
A number of questions were asked by
Senator Dubois on points covered by the
Philippine government bill, now pending in
the committee. In reply to these General
Hughes said that he thought that white
labor would be a total failure in the Philip
pines, and that other labor would be neces-
sary there. The natives are he satd phys
ically weak and lazy, and the witness
thought the only resort will be 10 continue
to import Chinese and Japanese labor for
the present at least
The Labor Question.
General Hughes also expressed the opin-
ion that 1t would be well to encourage negro
emigration to the Philippines from the
United States. He added that the colored
troops taken to Samar mixed readily with
the natives. and that many Of the latter
shed tears when the colored soldiers were
removed. Next to the American negro he
thought the Japanese most desirauie The
Chlnese labor was the most available, but
there was prejudice against them on the
part Of the Flipinos.
Speaking Of the American chamber of
commerce Of Manila. he said it is composed
largely OF Englishmen and other Europeans.
terests."
Ihe committee adjourned for the day.