The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-09

Washington, May Sin vindication
81 the administrations policy in the
Philippines. Senator Lodge, of Massa-
chusetts. chairman of the Philippine
committee, addressed the senate today.
Long before he began to speak the
galleries were thrOnged with people and
the tendance on the floor of the SEN
ate was unusually large. Mrs. Cowles,
the presidents sister, was an interested
auditor.
His review of the situation in the is
lands and of the utterances of the mi
nOrity in criticism of the conditions
there was notably interesting. f~orceful
and effective. He spoke with deep ear
nestness and at times became eloquent.
Senator Lodge warmly resented the
imputations cast on the president, the
secretary of war n the army for the
alleged cruelties and atrocities said to
have been practiced in the Philippines.
He said every effort had been employ
ed by the officials in authority to pre-
vent such cruelties as had been REFER
ed to. and measures had been taken 20
punish those guilty of them. Such
things, however, were incidents of eV-
cry war and could not be prevented alb
solutely. He had no defense to make
of any of the cases of torture which
had been cited. but the men of the
American army a been provoked al
most beyond human endurance. He
recited scores of instances of cruelties
n tOrtures practiced by the Filipino
insurgents on American prisoners. Men
had had their ears cut off: had been
disemboweled; had been driven into
hill -~4 l.
death: had been tied to trees and stoned
to death by women and children; had
been buried alive. Others had been
shot and boloed treacherously while
succoring the wounded.
In the face of these horrible atrOc;-
ties. some of the American troops had
been guilty of administering the wa
ter cure" but the instances of this kind
were isolated and no part Of the ger
eral policy in the Philippines.
He warmly commended General Chat
fees d of military affairs in the
islands,, and paid a brilliant tribute 70
his heroism and patriotism AS he con-
cluded. his defense of the American
army and the American administration
drew cordial applause from the CALLER
les.
In a brief reply. Senator Rawlins, of
Utah. declared that the charges which
had been made were not against Gener-
al Chafee or the American army, put
against the senator from Massachusetts,
CMr. LODGE and others who were re-
sponsible for the present Philippine pol
icy.
Both the sundry civil appropri9t
bill and the bill for the purchase of the
Rosebud indian reservation was pass
Nd.
Senate Daniel. of Virginia, present
ed a resolution expressive of the sorrow
Of the senate at the death of Represen-
tative Otey. and providing for the APP
pointment of a committee of senators
10 attend the funeral. The president
appointed the committee.
As an additional mark of respect, the
senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.
Two desks were draped in black and
covered with flowers when the house
met today. One was the old familiar
place occupied by Representative Cum
mings and the other was that of Rep
~resentative Peter ]. Otey, of Virginia,
whose death occurred at LynchburS
yesterday.
DR.. Couden, the chaplain. in his invo-
cation dweIt upon the double affection
that had come upon the house and pray
ed for the family and friends of Mr..
Otey.
Mr.. Jones, of Virginia, announced the
death of Mr.. Otey and offered the Gus
fomary resolutions of regret. In &C
sordance with the terms of the resolu-
tions the speaker appointed the COM
nittee to attend the funeral
Then. at 1915 o'clock, as a further
mark OF respect the house adjourned.