Evening star., 1902-01-14
WANTS AN INQUIRY
Senator Hoar on the War in the
Philippines.
Mr.. MASON ON CUBAN RECIPROCITY
The House Discusses Pensions
Appropriation Bill.
HOMES FOR THE VETERANS

When the Senate met today concurrent
resolution was passed appointing a joint
committee of Congress to consider the ques-
tion of a site for hall of records to be
erected in Washington.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Harris was
also passed directing the Attorney General
tc inform the Senate as to what steps had
been taken to secure the payment of IN
terest still due the United States on ac-
count Of the subsidy debt Of the Kansas
division of the Union Pacific Railway Com
pany.
Conduct of the Philippine War.
Mr.. Hoar called up his resolution Of
fered yesterday providing for an investiga-
ton of the conduct of the Philippine cam
paign, etc, and after explaining that the
purpose of the resolution was not to inter-
fere with the work of the Philippine COM
nittee, claimed that We ought to have some
reliable information regarding the war in
the Philippines, which he characterized as
painful controversy. During the civil
war, he Said there was a committee which
reported upon their responsibility the facts
which were needed for the Senate and for
the country. There are many things about
which the public has been In doubt, as, for
Instance, the statement appearing in the
public press and twice made in the Senate
that Aguinaldo had sold out his country
men.
I'VE want to know who promised the
Philippines Independence he insisted.
Some charge that Dewey did, and Dewey
says they lie, and the matter was allowed
to stop there"
Was it worth while for u.s. he asked, to
be considering these great questions which
involve the proprety and good faith and
integrity of our dealings with these un-
fortunate people in the matter of their lib
erty when We were in the dark? He said
he wanted to know something about the
character of the FilipiEos; he wanted Gov
ernor Taft to come before a Senate COM
mittee where he could be asked questions.
He said he had received some terrible
stories from brave soldiers and officers of
high rank about the way the war in the
Philippines is conducted.
Mr.. Hoar called attention to what he
characterized as the conflicting reports of
General Chaffee and Governor Taft of the
Philippine commission, and said it was i'm
portant that the country should know
which Of these had taken the correct view
OF the situation. Hence he appealed for
careful inquiry by the Senate.
Mr.. Hoar thought there should be a COM
mittee to take up these questions and con-
slider both sides of them. He declared it to
be one of Gods truths that mo one people
has the right to crush the liberty out of an
other people," and added: 1--WE are en-
gagged in the Philippines in the unholy office
of crushing out a republic. and if we had
dealt with them as we have dealt with
Cuba the Filipinos would now be happy,
prosperous people, sending their children
to our schools and initiating our institu-
tions."
MIR. Lodge Replies.
Mr.. Lodge replied to his colleague, saying
that the question had been debated at great
length. He asked that the resolution should
be referred to the committee on the Philip
pines of which Mr.. Loldge is chairman. He
thought any futher reference would be the
most serious reflection of which the Senate
could be capable, notwithstanding Senator
Hoar's disavowal of any intention to cast
reflection upon the committee. He consid-
cred the committee well fitted to investi-
gate any qustions of dispute in connection
with the Philippines, but would admit
frankly that he did not consider such an
investigation necessary. If found necessary
to appoint another committee he thought
all must agree that the necessity for the
| existence of the standing committee would
| cease.
| Replying, Mr.. Hoar again disavowed any
intention to reflect upon Senator Lodges
| committee. All that he wished was that
| some committee should take the testimony
| bearing on the subject while it was avail
| able. and he added that if his colleagues
| committee would take cognizance of the
| subject he would be satisfied.
Mr.. Lodge gave notice that he would al
| the proper time move to refer the resolu.
\ tion to his committee.
| Mr.. Carmack Tenn) announced himsel1
| as in accord with Mr.. Hoar in desiring ar
investigation of Philippine affairs, but saiG
| that he thought that the investigation
| should be conducted by the committee or
! the Philippines. He agreed as to the ne
| fairs in the Philippines and referred to the
| conflicting reports on the subject He
| would have the question thoroughly sifted
| SO that the country might know the truth
| of the entire matter.
At Mr.. Hoar's suggestion the resolution
| was left upon the table until tomorrow fol
| further consideration.
MIR. Mason on Reciprocity,
| Senator Mason addressed the Senate upon
| his resolution of yesterday relative to reci.
! procity with Cuba. He advocated such
| reciprocal arrangement in strong terms.
| He spoke of the complaint as to the in
| ability to market the products of Cuba, and
urged that Cubans should be allowed to
| store free such products in the warehouses
| of the United States.
| Mr.. Mason referred particularly to the
| Buffalo speech of President Mckinley, and
declared that reciprocity was the legitimate
| child of protection. He insisted that the
protective tariff was necessary to this gov
| ernment. and declared that Mckinley had
| not abandoned the policy of protection in
! his Buffalo speech.
Mr.. Mason said that if Cuba were free tc
trade elsewhere he might vote differently
| upon reciprocity proposition. In view OF
the demands We had made on Cuba relative
| to her foreign and other policies he be-
| lieved We should treat her in fair way
| commercially. He also believed by such
| an arrangement the United States would
| find a market in Cuba for breadstufrs
meats and provisions
| At the conclusion Of Mr.. Mason's speech
| the Senate at 2:33 p.su adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE