The Washington times., 1902-05-04
WILL REPLY TO THE
MINORITY ATTACKS
Continued from Second raee)

-. Continued from Second raee)
! to go through the farce of awaiting the
specifications filed by Major Gardener and
| the result of an inquiry made by the
| board. He sympathized with the mo-
tives of the Washington officials that the
charges should be fully investigated; but
he held that some tribunal ought to be
selected to make the investigation with
out possibility of the charge of partially.
He believed that the committee ought
not to refuse to send for Major Gardener
as his testimony was extremely important.
Mr.. Spooner, in opposition, made an ax-
haustive. aggressive. and eloquent defense
of the army in the Philippines. He said
outrages might have been committed
there. but there was no reason why the
American troops. as n whole, should be
denounced and held responsible.
He denied that there was a word in
General Chaffee's report showing bias,
but charged that the minority was blind
ed with suspicion of the army and showed
American army officers.
General Funston Defended.
He valiantly defended General Funston.
admitting that he may have talked too
much, but that if he had, the talking had
not been confined alone to those in the
military service. General Funston did not
fight with the 'iawbone of an ass" in
Cuba, or in the Philippines, he warmly
stated.
Mr.. Spooner insisted that the American
people would insist, and would secure,
punishment OF those guilty of wrong do
ing in the Philippines.
Arfa mil trtl1 irf
one upon testimony in the Congressional
Record. he declared. He warmly re-
sented the charge that there had been any
attempt at suppression of conditions in
the Philippines so far as he knew.
Mr.. Spooner called attention to the fact
that long before the Gardener charges had
become known publicly, the Secretary of
War had ordered an investigation.
A Just Procedure.
But he did not blazon it to the world
declared the speaker.
He did not wish to ruin the character
of reputable army officers, before he
knew they were guilty of the charges
made. That was honest, that was just.
And it was done long before the minority
of this body knew of the existence of the
narueHeT cHdTseS
He insisted that the Secretary of War
had done his duty in the premises, that |
he had acted with alacrity. and so acted |
that fair play would be done the Ameri- |
can army now engaged in warfare.
Mr.. Foraker defended the attitude of
Governor Taft. denying in toto the
charges of lack Of candor and suppress
sion of official documents.
Mr.. Lodge insisted that ii would be an
lnheard of act to summon away an Off
,er of the Government who was under
IN investigation.
Mr.. Morgan stated that IL Major Gar
iener was under a military investigation
n the Philippines. the Senate had no au-
hority to order him away.
Mr.. Rawlins charged that an attempt
vas being made to obstruct the minority
n their efforts to secure information.
Mr.. Lodge protested against such an
niust charge. and called the Senator
rom Utah TO order.
Mr.. Culberson read from the record
4 Governor Taft's testimony before the
Committee. in which the Gov 1
rnor had specifically stated that he lad
urnished the committee with all the in
from the Philippine governors '
Yet at that very moment, continued s
Ir. Culberson, "he had in his possession
everal charges against the American !
oldiers made in extenso by Major Gar {
ener."