The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-07
WAR FOUGHT OVER
Patterson lrritates General
Hughes With Questions.
LODGE OBJECTS TOO
All Comes of Trying TO Bolster
Up Filipino Army.

questioning which yesterday led to a
sharp couoquy in the committee room
between the admiral and himself In an
endeavor to establish the fact that the
Filipino army had effectively held the
Spanish army within its lines in Manila.
previous to the arrival of the American
forces, 8Ir. Patterson referred TO the sur
render Of 200 Spanish troops TO the in
surrection forces in July, 1895. General
Hughes said that the incident would only
make him believe that the Filipinos had
cut off the supplies from the interior.
Senator Patterson quoted from maya
zine article b. General Merritt, published
in July, 1889. in which he spoke OF the
army under Aguinaldo. which. he said.
had been an important factor in the stu
alton which confronted the United States
army and which waged a desultory war
fare against the Spanish. resulting in the
capture OF 1900 prisoners.
Does that modify your opinioa?' ask
ed Mr.. Patterson.
Not at all" said General Hughes, who
followed his answer with:
Docs he state that tese prisoners were
soldiers?"
4 presume he means soldiers" was
Senator Patterson's response.
It was brought out that most Of the
prisoners taken by the FiIipinos were not
Spanish troops.
Senator Patterson again inquired as to
the motive of General Otis in requiring
the withdrawal Of Aguinaldo's troops
from Manila to the line designated by
General Merritt. Senator Beverage OBJ
jected. saying it was not fair to General
Hughes with General Otis.
Senator Camrack and Senator Culber-
son claimed the right to ask the ques-
ton. and Senator Patterson insisted that
the senator had a right 10 respectfully
ask a witness any question pertinent TO
the subject under discussion. Senator
Lodge said that personally he had no
objection 20 the question. but he did OBJ
Ject TO one officer criticising a superior.
Senator Culberson said he wanted to
announce his absolute dissent from the
proposition that a committee from con-
gress is precluded from asking a ques-
ton on this subject. the answer to which
might be criticism of a superior officer.
In answer to a further question by SEN
ator Patterson as 10 whether the Philip
pines would accept independence unless
it was accompanied by protectorate by
the United States, General Hughes said
that at a conference held by him with
Representatives of the insurgent army at
Manila, they would not commit them
United States. They first wanted indie
pendence. he said. and after that they
would arrange for the protectorate,
America being considered along with the
other powers.
The peace and good will. Genera
Hughes declared, which existed in the
Philippines outside OF Manila from July.
1895. to February. 1888. were due. not to
the Filipinos but to the Spanish padres.
Referring TO his conference at Manila.
General Hughes said he was unable 10
get Aguinaldo's reports to decide with
him what concessions they desired, short
OF absolute independence. although they
insisted that they must have something
definite 10 take back TO the 5000 men
who were virtually investing the city.
because unless they did they would be
unable TO hold them in check.
You knew at the time inquired SEN
ator Patterson that you could not grant
what they were asl,ing2
II was unable to get them 10 decide
what they wished except absolute indie
pendence, which. OF course. We were not
authorized to give responded General
Hughes.
Senator Patterson: do you want This
committee to understand that these com
missioners representing the Philippine
army did not want independence II it
was accompanied by the withdrawal OF
the American feet?1
General Hughes: 7 want you 70 IN
derstand that they wanted protection"
Senator Patterson: II win ask you to
answer my question. yes or no"
This settled General Hughes somewhat.
who turned to the chairman. Senator
Lodge and asked Il he was bound 70 "sn-
swer the gentieman's cictatons-
Senator Lodge answered with much en-
phasis: No, You can answer the ques-
ton in your own way"
The senator then said the committee
had no right 70 dictate 20 the witness
how be shall answer
Senator Patterson. T understand that.
however evasive q witness may be.
cannot ask Cor a more direct answer
Senator Lodge Yea are attempting
to compel this answer. ! think his ans
wer was direct
Il do NOT think IL vas." quickly re-
sponded Senator Patterson.
He then rep.a ted the Question General
Hughes explained that II the time ~ she
she F'iiipinos appreciated their
ius bIify CD stand clone. but insisted ihat
tfey must first have abs5iuss inscpenG-
eacc-
..Tgsat IS IS definite al answer as you
can siee it asked sanarer Patferso1-
General Hughes. uaaifsstiHg unr1lsiat-
ahis evidence - his Irritation repiiels
III q does r1- answer yogr question. vfl
SOS sdoU ne ia vhst saT u fessr
Senator Beter.aze taea asked fsensraI
Efszhss s. H. fest that BE- hsa answered
the q-asflae
3 a.e anszeses &, illres aass. vas
1he rspa
Senator Fatte-ea remarked tsaf shere
utrs answers and a-Eue-s TIE cole
rav vas aarlrG a5 ~ Scatter
To.sre vEa --r tha bas- ~ ads
,s-rrr.sn So rher -sss fhat na-r-
.s1eisE arros. its oaraz.ts ure.f
phg-rsaa rsrr~ot4eat hi1 asa eesrses
e. aiihaaEh farshsr hssass sga.3 -
aele lAte-