West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-03-20
GENERAL OTIS CHANGED 1T.
Tells Why He Omitted Certain Words
From Proclamation of Nc
kinney.

Washington. March 20.-General
Otis, in continuing his testimony be-
fore the senate committee yesterday.
said in par::
Referring to his proclamation. nc
said he expressly omitted therefron
the word sovereignty" because the
Filipinos attached to it the meaning
which the word conveyed to them
while under the domination Of Spain.
Senator Carmack called his attention
to the difference between the Ian
guage used by the president in his
instructions and that contained in his
(OtisO proclamation, and asked why
he had also omitted the words con
troll" government" lawful rule ;
and authority must remain SUI
pre1ne."
General Otis explained that when
these instructions OF the president
Gere received he was somewhat sur
prised. He was afraid they would be
disastrous and assist the AguinalcO
government 10 excite the people OF
LuZon. General Otis said he told Al
miral Dewey. who had called on him
the following day, that he did no:
think the president understood the
situation, owing TO the great distance
of the islands from Washington and
that under the conditions then pre-
vailing he would be perfectly justi-
fed in making certain amendments
Leading FIlIpinos told him that the
words referred to might be used by
Mabini to excite the people.
Good Men Feared Assassination.
The trouble in Luzon. General Otis
said, was caused by the good men
being overthrow, because Of fear Of
assassination.
Until the time of the ratification
OF the treaty was not the Filipino
army there for the purpose of assert
ing and maintaining the independ-
ence of that island by armed force Il
necessary" asked Senator Patter-
son.
General Ots-They asserted that
they wanted to drive the Spaniards
cut.
Further along he, in part, declared
that the Filipino army was there ID
oe=rAwe the people Of Northern LII
zOn and elsewhere.
Admitting" said Senator Patter-
son, that they were there to over
awe the people. did you have am
doubt in your mind that the hope OF
the Filipino army was independ-
ence?"
They never intended to secure in
dependence. but to set up q govern
ment under Aguinaldo," was the re-
Spouse.
"Was the Filipino army there for
the purpose of plunder?" asked Set
ator Patterson
Yes, and J think they were going
TO try to drive tie Americans into th+
sea-" --A
Simply TO convert themselves into
robbers?" asked Senator Patterson.
Made up largely of robbers, yes .
responded General Otis.
When you were communicative
with Aguinaldo." inquired Senator
Patterson, ''as the general in COM
mand Of the Filipino forces, did yoG
at heart bei.eve him to be robbee
AID loote-?'
AguinaIdo . Trickste-.
General Otis declared he did not
say Aguinaldo was a robber and e
looter. He characterized him as
much better than the majority OF the
Filipinos Tn money matters he be-
lieved AguiIaldo strictly honest. and
then. bringing his fist down On tho
table and speaking with great en-
phasis. the general said:
In duplici-y he has few equals"
Senator Patterson made q sarcas-
tic remark that Aguinaldo had 3 good
many illustrious colleagues.
Asked by Senator McComas about
the assassination Of General Luna.
General OTIS said there was no dou5;
this was Aguinaldo's act
My opinion OF justice" remarked
Senator Patterson. is that ycu should
bring here the man who is accused
or assassination"
River and Harbor Sill Considered
Washington March 20.-The house
Yesterday made fair progress with
the river and ha:bor bill. Afse- tie
close &C the sene al debate - OF the
1IS pages OF the bill were disposed
c. No sxdm ents were adopted.
The general debate yesterday wss
featuEeleSS-
Ed~arc Green Dead
Bellows Falls. Vt. March s0.-E.-
-rJ --a-r buSla,d - IT.@s- n-~