Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-21
FILIPIN0S' IDEA OF LIBERTY
Means Nothing More Than Mere
License to Them, General
Otis Declares.

WASHINGTON, March 20.-General Otis
today resumed his testimony before the SEN
ate Philippines commission. Senator Pat
terson continued his questioning and re-
ferred to a letter dated September s, 1898,
addressed by General Otis, to Aguinaldo, as
"the commanding general of the Philippine
forces" in which he spoke of the sacrifices
made by the revolutionary forces lin the
interest of civil liberty"
General. Otis declared that this related
to their dealings with the Spaniards. He
admitted that before the United States
army arrived in Manila. and for some little
time before they took possession, the in-
surgents had the Spaniards hemmed in in
Manila. He denied that he led Aguinaldo
to believe that the United States would
not assume absolute sovereignty and gov
ernmental control of the islands. Asked
what he meant by the statement in his let
ter that rather than see the ships of the
United States navy control the navigable
waters of these Islands and It's army de-
vastating their territory, l greatly prefer
to advise my government not to send any
more troops here,' General Otis answered
that that was his opinion. because he did
not want to see any war. 81 wanted to
conquer by peaceable means" said he, but
gave the impression that there were
tFS sss., ~f't On. $50! sing an ,nqu..,
by Senator Hale, that had the gov
eminent taken him at his word. not
to send more troops, anarchy would
have reigned throughout the island. He
thought that his letter should be considered
as a whole. THAT was a period when I
was laboring hard" said he, ''to keep the
peace and to keep our men and officers
from paying attention to the insults re-
ceived from Philippine officers and In
surgents."
Answering Senator Patterson, General
Otis said that the commission OF which
General Hughes was a member had stated
to representatives Of Aguinaldo that no
concessions could be made without the sac
rifce Of some of the attributes of sover-
eighty.
General Otis declared that the Fflipinos
have no correct idea of liberty. Liberty
with them said he, '1s license"
"But what is your standard Of qualihca-
ton for self -government2" asked Senator
Patterson.
what kind of a government" asked
General Otis. do you mean d~espotic gov
ernment?"
terson's response.
OChNl ONAF ooN NhCJ WOlC pCIACCIly
qualified for a despotic, military govern
ment.
Replying to Senator Dubois. General otis
said the Introduction Of Chinese coolie labor
into the Philippines would be unwise. Japa-
l nese labor, he thought, would be the mos
acceptable because they affiliate readily
with the Filipinos.
A question by Senator Beveridge regard.
} Ing the effort to furnish the Filipinos will
I literature sent from the United States pre-,
D cipitated a lively discussion. General Otil
1 said that when Mabini was brought In h
t had a pile OF New York papers with hin
= which had antagenized the sovereignty o
E the United States in the Philippines.
Did he have copies OF Senator Hoarl
speech?" Inquired Senator Patterson.
ooh, yes; those speeches were all owe,
D the islands," replied the witness.
Senator Allison, who was in the chair
! said he would exclude any ~allusion to sena
! tors speeches. Senator Patterson inter
4 jected the remark that senators should no
/ be attacked from masked batteries.