Evening star., 1902-04-30
GEN. SMITHS ORDER
SUBJECT OF DENUNCIATIoN IN
THE SENATE.
Mr.. Teller Declares That Its, Author
. Should Be Dismissed Mr.. Lodge
Regards It as Revolving.

Mr.. Teller continued his speech in the
Senate yesterday afternoon against the
Philippine bill. He concluded his speech
at 4:45 and then after short executive ses-
sion the Senate adjourned.
Mr.. Teller had read a number of articles
printed in newspapers relative to orders
issued and general policies in the Philip
pines.
During the reading Of the extracts Mr..
Tillman Is. c. said it was reported that the
government was very polite to the warlike
dattos of Mindanao and observed that con-
sderation was shown Mohammedans of
that island while cruel treatment was
meted out to the Christians of Samar
The Tom Ewing Order.
Discussing the alleged order Of Gen.
Smith. Mr. Teller said he understood that
Gen. Smith had tried to justify his order
by what Is known as the Tom Ewing or
der" During the civil war. by this order,
the population Of two counties in Missouri
was deported and the property destroyed.
He was proceeding to characterize the ac-
ton Of the American army In the Philip
pines as most cruel and barbarous when he
was interrupted by Mr.. Spooner (Wis.) with
the inquiry, Does the senator not remem-
Der Fort Pillow?'
What does the senator mean by his ref
Il.
mack CTenn.)
Il had in mind,'' replied Mr.. Spooner,
what has been considered a massacre of
colored troops there"
Mr.. Carmack insisted with some heat
that there was no massacre of troops or
killing Of prisoners at Fort Pillow.
Mr.. Teller was continuing his remarks
about Gen. Smiths order when he was in
derstand," said he, that the government
approves of Gen. Smiths alleged order. 1t
has ordered court-martial to try Gen.
Smith"
tinued Mr.. Fairbanks, that the court
martial was ordered as soon as the infor-
nation concerning the matter reached
Washington"
Mr.. Teller replied that according to the
newspaper article he had read the infOrma-
tion had been in Washington many months
but when pressed by Mr.. Fairbanks said he
knew nothing about the matter himself.
Proposes a Visiting Commission.
After having read certain documents and
official orders, Mr.. Teller offered an amend
ment to the bill providing for a commission,
to be appointed by the President and to con-
sist Of not less than seven or more than
fifteen persons, to proceed to the Philip
pines and try to secure a lasting peace be-
tween the United States and the Filipinos,
the United States to pay the commissioners
salaries of $4,000 year each and all ex-
penses.
Mr.. Teller continued his discussion of
General Smiths order, which he said had
shocked the public mind in this country, re-
gardess of party affiliations. He said he
would despair of our government if the
American people should not repudfate such
an order. "'
If" said he, 'it be true: that he issued
such an order I believe the officer ought
to be dismissed from the service"
He said he would despise himself if he
did not enter his protest against such in
humanity as was evinced by the order of
General Smith.
I'm the records Of all the great wars
since the middle ages he declared, you
cannot find such a disgraceful and wicked
order as that issued by General Bell or by
General Smith,
Mr.. Lodge said nothing was known here
OF General Smiths order until 1t was plead
ed by Major Waller as a defense for his
action in Samar. AS soon as Waller had
pleaded that order his defense the Pres-
dent himself had directed that General
Smith be court-martialed. He said he did
not know whether the order Of General
Smith was oral or written.
Mr.. Carmack CTenn) insisted that the
evidence indicated that orders of q very ex-
treme character issued in the Philippines
were being suppressed. not, he believed.
by the War Department. but by the mill
tary authorities in the PHILIPPINES.
In calling attention to the report of the
secretary OF Batangas province that there
had been SO great mortality in the province
as to reduce the population from 800. 900 to
about 100000. the mortality being due to
disease, Mr.. Tillman inquired whether the
Philippine committee had investigated that
matter
When informed that it had not, he ex-
claimed: "Well. how long are we going to
hold on to this bag of cats? What benefit
Is 1T to the American people to pursue this
Infamous Dolicy?"
AS the running colloquy continued, Mr.
Culberson asked Mr.. Lodge If he indorsed
the order issued by Gen. Bell
Mr.. Lodges Opinion.
NO replied Mr.. Lodge. II do not in
dorse cruel methods of warfare Gen.
Smiths order is one which every American
should regret. On the surface those orders
seem to me to be revolving"
In explaining the great mortality among
the Inhabitants Of Batangas, Mr.. Bacon
(Ga.) expressed the belief that the disease
among the natives had been caused by the
laying waste Of the province by war Crops
had been destroyed, and the inhabitants
had been confronted almost by a condition
of famine.
Mr. Teller in conclusion declared that this
government could not escape the condem-
nation of the world and of every right
thinking man for this miserable, wicked
attempt to compel these people to accept
our government whether they desire it or
not"
The Senate then, at 4:15 went into execu-
tive session.
At p m. the Senate adjourned.