The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-20
OTIS AND AGUNALDOl
AMERICAN GENERAL ANALYZES
 FILIPINO CHIEFTAN
The Latter Honest in Money Matters But in Duplicity He Has Few Equals-Caused Luna's
 Murder.


 continued his testimony before the Sen- ate Philippine Committee today. Refer ring to his order of September g. 1sss di- recting the withdrawal of the insur gent troops outside the defenses of Manila. General Otis explained that a ccmmitte from Aguinaldos Cabinet yis- ited him.
 In the dis ,ussion which followed, he said they did not mention the fact that aie towns immediately adjacent to Ma nila were not a portion of the city. He classed as ridiculous Agmnaidos request to receive a portion of the northern part or Manila, occupied by the Spaniards, In trade for some of the southern part of the city held by the insurgents
 General Otis said he did not give the insurgents actual permission to occupy the block houses which Aguinaldo claim ed had been given. What he had said was: T don't care anything about the block houses, we are not going to take possession of them"
 General Otis said that Agunaldo de- manded of General Merritt the right to occupy the palace and to make appoint ments in the civil government which caused General Merritt to cable Wash ington for instructions. The reply was that there must not be any dual occupa- tion of Manila. General Otis then de- capture of lloilo. the offer of the Spanish General, Rios. to hold the place against the insurgents pending the arrival of the United States troops and the capture of the town by the Visayans before the arrival of the United States troops
 Aguinaldo, he said. was over1oyeo when he learned the detachment had been sent out because he Aguinaldo) fired at lloilo which would bring on war between the United States and the insurgent forces. General Otis said he had cabled Washington. saying that the taking of Iloilo made war in the islands, and had received the response to defer action which he did until the insurgents made war on the United States forces in Manila. He had. he said. issued his proc- lamation extending military authority to all parts of the archipelago under tn- structions from the President. Senator Rawlins sought to show that many of the things done by the Unites States military authorities were in contravention of the protocol. but General Otis explained that he felt 1t his duty to protect lives and property.
 The committe adjourned until 2:30 p. m. in order to permit General Otis to conclude his testimony today.
 At the afternoon session General Otis, referring to his proclamation, said he ex- pressly omitted therefrom the word "sov- ereignty," because the Filipinos attached to 1t the meaning of the word conveyed to them while under the dominion of Spain.
 Senator Carmack called his attention to the difference between the language used by the President in his instructions and that contained in his tOtis's) proclama- tion and asked why he had also omitted the words control" government" lawful rule" ''authority must remain supreme" General Otis explained that when these instructions of the President were received he was afraid they would be disastrous and assist the Aguinaldo oVpr anf ha V.t1- zOn. General Otis said he told Admiral Dewey he did not think the President un- derstood the situation and that under the conditions. he would be Justified in mak- ing certain amendments. General Otis admitted that the act of Congress limit ing the service of the volunteer troops until July, 1901, their return to the Tni- ted States and the forwarding of others to take their places, greatly hampered him.
 When the trouble in China occurred, mo- tice had been passed among the Fi1ipi- nos that the United States would not be able to send more men to the Philippines and this emboldened them to resist the authority of the government.
 Senator Patterson asked General Otis if the idea of the Filipino people regard pendence was mistaken one.
 No" said General Otis. "Aguinaldo had his ambitions"
 Speaking very deliberately he said:
 
 for the purpose of driving the Spaniards out and then attacking the Americans suppose. We have the papers of the orig inal Junta.''
 He thought Aguinaldo was performing a double part at that time.
 If the United States troops had at- tackled the Filipinos and driven them out of the city when they first got there it General.
 The trouble in Luzon. General Otis said was caused by the good men being over thrown. because of fear of assassina- tion.
 Until the time of the ratification of the treaty was not the Filipino army there for the purpose of asserting and maintaining the independence of that is- land by armed force If necessary" ask cd Senator Patterson.
 General Otis-They asserted that they wanted to drive the Spaniards out.
 Further along he remarked that what He had an idea, however. formed some time previous 10 the breaking out of hos tiltties, that the insurgents intended to drive the Americans out if they could. The Filipino army, he declared, was there to over-awe the people in Northern Lu- Zon and elsewhere.
 Mir Patterson-Was the Filipino army there for the purpose of plunder?
 General Otis-Yes; and I think they were going to try to drive the Americans into the sea.
 MT. Patterson-Simply to convert them selves into robbers?
 General Otis-Madc up largely of rob bers, yes.
 When you were communicating with Aguinaldo," inquired Mir, Patterson. 'as the General in command of the Filipino forces. did you at heart believe him to be robber and a looter?"
 General Otis declared he did not say Aguinaldo was robber and looter. He characterized him as much better than the majority of the Fihpinos. In money matters he believed Aguinaldo strictly honest and then bringing his fist down on the table and speaking with great emphasis. the General said: Tn duplcity. he has few equals"
 Asked by Senator McComas about the assassination of General Luna, General Otis said there was no doubt that this was Aguinaldo's act.
 My opinion of justlce.'' remarked Sem ator Patterson. lis that you should bring here the man who is accused of assas- sination.'