Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-16

ton. after the allega lions of Philippine
outrageS were presented.
a speech by Van Diver Mo, reciting
instances of alleged outrage brought on
the discussion. Personalities and re-
ordinations We're freely passed about.
General debate on the naval bill
closed at ! o'clock and when the House
adjourned the measure was being read
for amendment.
The Senate amendments to the agri-
cultural appropriation bill were disa-
greed TO by the House. and the bin was
sent to conference with Wadsworth.
Henry, Conn, and Williams, Miss, as
the House conferees.
BY unanimous consent the bill open-
ing to homestead entry the extensive
Ute tract in Colorado, embracing about
100000 acres, was passed
The naval appropriation bill was then
taken up and an agreement made eX-
tending the general debate until p NJ
Grosvenor, Ohio, said he thought the
time had come for a careful investiga-
ton of the question of building war
ships in government yards in order that
the exact facts might be determined.
lie did not go as far as some Of the ad-
vocates of government construction in
asking that all the new ships be built
III government yards, but he proposed
that one battleship, one armored cruiser
and one gunboat be built in a govern
ment navy yard and one of each class
of ship in private yard, thus giving
basis of comparison.
Van Dira,- n "A
had read a statement appearing in the
Irish World. signed by Corporal Rich
ard O'Brien, Co. NJ 26th Volunteers,
giving alleged details of atrocities in
the Philippines, the killing of native
women and babes under circumstances
Of unusual cruelty, including the alleged
use of dumdum bullets. Van Diver read
a letter from Patrick Ford, editor of
the Irish World. saying he had talked
with Corporal O'Brien, who re-affirmed
the charges and was ready to make
affidavit to them, to be forwarded to
Washington.
The charges were too horrible for be-
lief. Van Diver said, if they were not
substantially borne out by official re
ports of outrages by our forces against
the natives. When Van Diver asked
if anyone in behalf of the administra-
ton was ready to rise and defend the
atrocities by American soldiers on ma
tives. w. A. Smith, Mich, retorted with
an inquiry whether anyone on the other
side of the chamber was ready to de-
fend the atrocities of natives on Amer
lean soldiers.
An exciting passage followed between
Smith and Van Diver. The latter as
serted that atrocities neither on one
side or the other We're defensible.
Il have evidence piled mountain
high" declared Van Diver "of cruelty.
eXtortiOn. torture, murder arson, rape
and every other crime known to the
calendar"
THAT is false" exclaimed Smith.
"and l hurl back the charge at the
gentleman and call upon him to produce
the proofs If he can
The proofs are ample and will be
presented" said Van Diver"
THE gentleman ought to be ashamed
of himself" interrupted Smith, ito as
sail the American army, 1000 miles from
home"
Van Diver responded that his respect
for the dictates of humanity were great
er than that for soldiers guilty of such
cruelty. He proceeded to read portions
Of the testimony before the Philippine
committee of the Senate. When he re-
ferred TO Gen. Funston, Lands, Ind,
interjected the sarcastic inquiry:
"Funston-that is the gentleman who
captured your old friend Emilio Agui-
naldo?"
I NC
Emilio Aguinaldo seems to be a great
bugbear to the other side of the cham
ber."
But all his eulogies comes from that.
the Democratic side of the chamber,
answered Lands.
Soon after Van Diver became entan-
gled in a warm colloquy with Hamilton.
Mich. who demanded to know how a
stable government was going to be
maintained without soldiers.
( There was considerable confusion and
the Chair had to rap vigorously for
order.
Van Diver continued to recite cases
of alleged cruelty.
Mudd, Mad, gave notice that he
would move an amendment to the bill
prohibiting the use of any money car
ried in the naval bill for the purchase
of Maclay's history, the animadversions
in it against Admiral Schley being re-
sponsible in his opinion for the court
of inquiry. If the history had been
clear of partisan feeling, he said, and
had the historian accepted the high
minded thought pronounced by Schley
that there was glory enough for all,
the American nation would not now bt