The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-01-31

Washington, January N.-An ami
mated and prolonged discussion was
precipitated in the senate today over
right Of army officers to criticise utter
ances made in the senate or elsewhere
on the Conduct of affairs in the Philip
uines. At times it became somewhat
acrimonious, officers in the Philippines
being taken sharply to task for state.
ments attributed to them in dispatches
from Manila.
Rising to a question of privilege early
in the session, senator Dubois, of Idaho,
had read an Associated Press dispatch
from Manila in which General Wheaton
was quoted as criticising some utter
ances of Professor Schurman in
speech delivered in Boston. Senator
Dubois thought the president, in the
circumstances, would be warranted in
reprimanding General Wheaton for his
criticism. He declared that such COM
mert upon the action of the senate was
Outrageous and indecent and that
the minority had had quite enough of
threats and blackmaiL
Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts,
suggested that il would be wise to as
certain before General Wheaton was
reDrimanded whether he actually made
the statements attributed to him. Gen
eral Wheaton, lie said, was an officer OF
ability and character and no hasty ac-
ton ought to be taken in such case.
Senator Teller-'I don't think there's
any doubt that General Wheaton said
what is attributed to him."
Senator Lodge-'There may be a
great deal of doubt of it,
Senator Teller, continuing, said such
situation as had arisen was one of the
blessings growing out of the conditions
In the Philippines. A paddock, he as
serted. was to be placed upon the
mouth of every man, congressman or
private citizen, and all criticism of the
administration Philippine policy was
to be silenced. He referred to the criti
cism of senators who had antagonized
the administration policy in the Phil
ippines declaring they had been charg-
ed even with treason
81 suppose" said he. that no sena-
tor after a while Will be able to read on
this floor the declaration OF indepen-
dence without subiecting himself to
charge OF melting treason.
Senator Lodge said Senator Teller's
SLdLSIIIGHL the uSCldI VI
independence was silly" What Presi-
dent Schurman said in Boston, did not,
in his opinion. concern the senate. The
only point was whether a general of the
United States army had criticised the
senate. 1t did not appear from the dis
patch that General Wheaton had re-
ferred TO the senate at all.
In response to inquiries by Senator
Rawlins. of Utah. Senator Lodge said
= =; Il
DISPATCHES sent from Manila were CEN
sored or not. and he did not know
whether the war department had or
had not taken steps to ascertain wheth-
er General Wheaton had made the
statements attributed to him.
Senator Carmack. of Tennessee, queS-
toned the right of any officer of the
United States army to criticise either
the actions or the utterances Of any
private citizen.
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina,
interrupted to say that the general
commanding the army had been repri-
manded by the president for agreeing
with the admiral of the navy upon
question on which 'all the people of the
United States was absolutely agreed"
Senator Hoar. of Massachusetts.
contended that no unsupported news
paper report on a matter of this kind
Later Senator Lodge said ne desired
to apologize for referring to anything
Senator Teller may have said as silly"
He insisted that there was no disposi-
ton upon the Dart of anybody to sup
press news or views
Senator Rawlins insisted that the
suppression of opinions and informa-
tion was So notorious that one could
not depend upon the statements coming
to the United States from the Philip
pines. The Philippines commission. he
asserted. had arrogated to itself the
functions OF congress: indeed. the COM
mission had done many things which
congress never would have done.
Senator Dubois insisted that the dis
patch which he had presented bore evil
dence on its face of accuracy. I'VE
have been threatened and blsckmailed."
he said. las long as we ought to endure
IL. Such utterances as have been in
stanced are offensive to us and they
ought not to be permitted to pass with
out a reprimand by the president of the
United States. They are. coming from
officers Of the army. In exceedings bad
taste.'
Senator Spooner deemed ii the part OF
wisdom to ascertain: First. whether
General Wheaton had made the state
ments attributed to him. before any at
tempt was made to secure his censure-
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina
interrupted to inquire who would fur
nish the proof that the dispatch read
had not been inspired.
Senator Spooner replied that he did
not believe Ii was either inspired or
censored. hut felt the senate ought to
await definite Information. General
Wheaton. he added. was fine officer or
high character and notable achieve
ments-
"Yes." interiected Senator Tillman.
"he In a brilliant officer doing some
very dirty work That is my opinion."
sswell, IL is not mine" renlied Senator
Spooner. "I have the word OF the sena-
tor from Indiana. Beveridge, that the
censorship of news disnatches In the
Philippines was abolished some time
ago"
Senator Money made an extended
speech in criticism of the governments
policy in the Philippines
Renlying to a question of Senator
Hale as to what he would do with the