Evening star., 1902-03-20
GEN. OTIS EXPLAINS
WHY HE SUPPRESSED CERTAIN
) pHRAsHs~eH THE PRESIDENT
Regarded the Insurgent Army as Bent
on Plunder-Breaking Out
of Hostilities.


said he expressly Aonatted therefrom the
word ''soyereignts1.He because the Fitpinos
attached to it the meaning which the word
conveyed to them While. under the domina-
ton Of Spain. Senator Carmack called his
attention to the difference between the Ian
guage used by the President in his instruc-
tions and that contained in his (Otis') proc
lamation, and asked why he had also omit
ted the words scontrol," government, /"
lawful <ruie'' and 'authority must remain
supreme
I'VE were at that time fighting hard for
peace replied General OTIS When these
Instructions of the President Were received,
he said he Wass Somewhat surprised. On
the following day.,. Admiral Dewey had
called upon him. VI remarked that did
not know how l could issue them at that
time; that was afraid they would be dis
astrous and assist the Aguinaldo govern
ment to excite the people Of Luzon. He
said he told Admiral Dewey that he did not
think the President understood the stua-
tion, owing to the great distance of the
islands from Washington, and that, under
the conditions then prevailing he would be
perfectly justified ih making certain amend
ments. He said he had the advice OF lead
ing FiIipinos Who told him that the words
referred to might be used by Ma bini to ex-
cite the people. He said Aguinaldo had
taken notice OF the change In title mill
tary governor of the Philippines from ''in
the Philippines" and regarded this as hav-
ing some sinister significance.
The Taking Of Iloilo
General Otis justified the taking OF 1loilo
at the time he did because Of military and
commercial reasons and as an act of hu-
manity, notwithstanding that under the
terms of the protocol the authority of the
United States was confined to the city, bay
and harbor of Manila! I'VE had a perfect
right to respond to the prayer Of the citi-
zens of 1loilo. whose lives and property
were being destroyed" said he.
He then explained the location of the Ne
braska regiment. which was first attacked
outside Manila He said. in response to a
question by Senatof Carmack, that he had
no plan of action In contemplation in the
event that the fight had not occurred that
night, and the treaty had been ratified the
rext day, although a plan could have been
found very quickly
terests of peace than T. said the general.
But if the United States troops had at
tackled the FilIpinos and driven them out OF
the city when they first got there 1T would
have been much Better. They got very
.ceckey' after while, and thought they
could sweep lis into the bay
General Otis admitted. In reply to an in
quiry from Senator. McComas, that the act
Of Congress limiting the service Of the vol
| uEteer troops until July; 1901, their return
of others to take ftfieir places greatly ham.
pered him in the satsabation Of the Islands.
When the trou:4f sq, China occurred. no
| that the United stats. would not be able
to send more men to. the Philippines. and
this emboldened iem 70 resist the author
ity Of the governIhent:Ii
senst9e a Of he bs dp esasra esnanr 1S
hopes and aspirations fbr independence was
a mistaken one. 7 ~
No" said Gene raj dhtis. "Aguinaldo had
his ambitions" Speaking very deliberately,
he said, "and he was sent over from Hong
Kong for the purpose Of driving the Span
iards out and then attacking the Ameri-
Gems, I sippose. We have the papers of
the original junta." ,fHe said he thought
hgthhlao that time was reforming double part at
Purposes of the Insurgents.
The trouble in Luzon, General Otis said.
was caused by the good men being over
thrown, because Of fear OF assassination
Until the time of the ratification Of the
treaty was not the Filipino army there for
the purpose of asserting and maintaining
the Independence of that island by armed
force, II necessary? ?' asked Senator Patter-
son.
General Otis-"They asserted that they
wanted to drive the Spaniards out
Senator Patterson-"Did they assert that
Americans might come in?''
General Otis-"AGufnaldo expressed him
self In his proclamation.
Senator PattersoI1E"Can you answer that
''It is hypothetical question: responded
the general. T.
Senator Patterson insisted that it was
not and pressed for an answer.
General Otis remarked that what they
were there for he did not know. He had
an fdea, however, formed some time previ-
Gus to the breaking out of hostilities that
the insurgents intended to drive the Ameri-
cans out If they could The Filipino army.
he declared, was there to overawe the peo-
pie In Northern Lu2On and elsewhere.
Admitting" said Senator Patterson,
that they were there to overawe the peo-
pie. did you have any doubt in your mind
that the hope of the Filipino army was in
dependence?" %'. = -
They never intended to secure independ-
ence but to set up government under
Agulnaldo, was the response. -.., ..,ss-
We'll, then, Independence of some kind ?''
innured -Senat or Patterson. .-..
Not according to their. own protesta-
drns, responded General Otis. -~..-,.
WAS the Filipino army there for the pur-
pose of plunder?' asked Senator Patterson
Yes, and 1 think they were going to try
to drive the Americans into the sea-"
Simply to convert themselves into rob-
bers" asked Senator Patterson.
"Made up largely of robbers, yes" re-
sponded General Otis g..
When you were communicating with
Aguinaldo," inquired Senator Patterson, "as
the general in command Of the Filipino
forces did you at heart believe him to be a
robber and a leoter2'
Character of Aguinaldo.
General Otis declared he did not say
Asuinaldo was robber and looter. He
characterized him as much better than the
majority of the Filipinos. In money mat
ters he believed AgIinaldo strictly honest.
and then, bringing his fist down on the
table and speaking with great emphasis,
said: I'm duplicity he has few equals"
Senator Patterson made a sarcastic re-
mark that Aguinaldo had "a good many
illrstrious colleagues
Asked by Senator McComas about the
assassination Of Genefai Luna, General Otis
said there was ndtd0lIht this was Aguinal-
dos act. ...-.,.
tor Patterson, ~ fEiaft you should bring
here the man who Is accused of assasina-
tion." -yarfot; -...-
The committee then adjourned until today.
.'-' 5sr'SSs'r
WILL RATIFY SALE OF ISLANDS.