Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-03-11
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
Facts In Regard to the beginning OF
Hostilities in the Island-Geh.
Hughes Says First Shot Was Fired
by An,ericun.-Prace Of this
;. HOUSE.

Washington, March N--ssu's,toa Pat-
&srson continued his questioning OF
Gen Hughes in the senate committee
on the Philippines Saturday, taking up
the beginning of hostilities in Febru-
ary 1899. The witness repeated his pre-
vions 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: 1.-THE thing is on"
There was some sparring between
the two as on previous occasions.
the senator insisting upon Oh
rect answer and the witness upon
replying in his own way. Il in
tend" said the latter, Ito answer
in the best way can cover the whole
conditions. l wish to answer in my
own way as am informed have q
right to do. felt that they have made
an attack upon us and that we must de-
fend ourselves" he added.
Ibid you mean simply that you
should defend yourselves or that you
should make an attack alsoW
81 had no intention beyond what 1
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 FIJI
ipino leaders were absent in a confer
ence at Malolos. He said that hostil-
ities 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, 1885, 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 touse only peaceful means solong
as they were effectual, but that when
these were exhausted to resort to war.
House Proceedings.
Washington, March 10.-Some pre-
; liminary routine business proceeded
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 thewestern 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 question of privilege. In connec-
ton with the adoption of the confer,
ence report on the permanent census
bill. He contended that the state
.,nent Of the eonferees with reference
10 section 5, which originally placed all
Che employees OF the bureau at the time
~ the passage of the act under the
protection of the civil service has Mis-
led and deceived" the house.
: Il. 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 II
favor of the bill.
Asks for Information.
Washington, March 10.-Represent
alive Burleson, of Texas, Saturday IN
PRODUCED in the house resolution o.
inquiry calling upon the secretary q
state for information as to whether
he declined to request the British gov
ernment to grant passports to Rev
hiram w. Thomas and wife, who are
ALLEGED to have requested permission
10 90 to South Africa for the purpose
of distributing funds raised in tht
Tinted States for the relief of non
combatant prisoners.
Consressmen Coll on President.
washington. March 10. = Speaker
Henderson and Chairman Payne, OF the
WAYS ard means committee, and Sen
ator Allison, members of the finance
committee, called at the White House
Saturday. presumably In relation t.
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 wa.
changed his attitude favorable to reel
procity. In this connection there wer
renewed intimatfeps of special mes
sage which would clearly set forth tn
presidents views on the subject
The republican members of the way
and means committee favorable t.
Cuban reciprocity have held long con
ferences to perfect their organization
for carrying forward THO contest. Il
connection with these conferences, TIL
belief has gained ground that ther
would be a special message, if itprove
TO be necessary.
There was renewed talk of comprc
mise Saturday. one report being ~ pc
cent. reciprocity might be substitute
for 20 per cent. Both sides, howevel
denied the 12 per cent. compromis
story.
Fair to Get Over a Million.
Washington, March 1o.-The hous
committee on industrial arts and e,
positions Saturday authorized Chail
man fawney to recommend to the az
preparation committee that the SUI
dry civil bill contain provisions {
100000 for the government exhibit {
the st. Louis exposition, $4,000 for a
Indian exhibit and 100000 additions
for the uayarpment hnildinp