The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-03-14
GEN. HUGHES IS EVAS|VE
Refuses to Answer Questions as Di-
rectly as Senator Patterson
Would Like to Have Him.
RELATE TO AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPPINES
HostiIities in the Island-Gen.
Hughes Says First Shot Was Fired
by ericans-PrOceeding of the
House.

House.
Washington, March Ex-senator Pat
terson continued his questioning of
Gen. Hughes in the senate committee
on the Philippines Saturday, taking up
the beginning of hostilities in Febru-
airy 1899. The witness repeated his pre-
vious statement that the first shot had
been fired by an American. Senator
Patterson asked Gen. Hughes what he
meant when he said upon hearing the
firing at the first: "The thing is on"
There was some sparring between
the two as on previous occasions,
the senator insisting upon di-
rect answer and the witness upon
replying in his own way. Il in
tend" said the latter, ''to answer
in the best way 1 can cover the whole
conditions. / wish to answer in my
own way as I am informed have
right to do. felt that they have made
an attack upon us and that we must de-
fend ourselves" he added.
"Did you mean simply that you
should defend yourselves or that you
should make an attack also?"
81 had no intention beyond what I
have stated"
Mr.. Patterson then sought to bring
out the fact that the attack was made
before the Filipinos were ready and
Gen. Hughes admitted that the Fill
ipino leaders were absent in confer
ence at Malolos. He said that hostil-
tiles were so active the next day that
there was no opportunity to attempt
to heal the breach.
Senator Patterson questioned Gen.
Hughes concerning the effect of Pres
ident McKinley's proclamation of
January 10, 1899, for the extension of
the military occupation of the United
States to the entire archipelago, ask
ing the witness if there was anything
to do but to attack the Filipino forces.
Gen. Hughes replied that the policy
was to use only peaceful means so long
as they were effectual, but that when
these were exhausted to resort to war.
House Proceedings.
Washington, March 10.-Some pre-
liminary routine business preceded
the debate on the bill to classify the
rural free delivery service in the
house Saturday.
Bills were passed authorizing the
South Omaha Bride company to con-
struct bridge across the Missouri
river; to add Baxter, Marine and
Searcy counties to the western judicial
districts of Arkansas.
The conference report on the bill
to give the Spanish claims commission
power to compel the attendance of wit
nesses and the production of papers
was adopted.
Mr.. Simms (Tenn.) then rose to a
q question of privilege. In connec-
ton with the adoption of the confer
ence report on the permanent census
bill. He contended that the state
ment of the conferees with reference
to section 5, which originally placed all
the employees of the bureau at the time
of the passage of the act under the
protection of the civil service has "Mis-
led and deceived the house.
The speaker held that as the whole
subject had been disposed of, no ques-
ton of privilege was presented.
The debate upon the rural free de-
livery bill was then resumed and Mr..
Griggs (Ga.) made an hours speech in
favor of the bill.
Asks for Information.
Washington, March 10.-Represent-
Of Cof 10 n
troduced in the house resolution of
inquiry calling upon the secretary of
state for information as to whether
he declined to request the British gov
eminent to grant passports to Rev.
Hiram W. Thomas and wife, who are
alleged to have requested permission
to go to South Africa for the purpose
of distributing funds raised in the
United States for the relief of non
combatant prisoners.
Congressman Call on President.
Washington, March 10. : Speaker
Henderson and Chairman Payne, of the
ways and means committee, and Sen
ator Allison, members of the finance
committee, called at the White House
Saturday, presumably in relation to
the pending controversy over Cuban
reciprocity. There was the most pos
tive declination to discuss the pur-
pose of the call. 1t was said, however,
that the president had in no way
changed his attitude favorable to reci-
procity. In this connection there were
renewed intimations of a special mes
sage which would clearly set forth the
presidents views on the subject
The republican members of the ways
and means committee favorable to
Cuban reciprocity have held long con-
ferences to perfect their organization
for carrying forward the contest. In
connection with these conferences, the
belief has gained ground that there
would be special message, if it proved
to be necessary.
There was renewed talk of compro-
mise Saturday, one report being IL per
cent. reciprocity might be substituted
for 20 per cent. Both sides, however.
denied the IL per cent. compromise
story.
Fair to Get Over n MiIJiop