The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-04-07

The legislative enquiry into the condi-
tion Of things in the Philippine Archi-
pelago. which was broken on some two
weeks ago, was taken Up again this
morning by the Senate Philippine Com
mittee- General Macarthur was present
as the witness
Before the examination began Senator
Culberson called the attention Of the con-
mittee 70 the fact that, although Gov
ernOr Taft had been testifying for three
weeks. and had been instructed TO fur
nish the committee with copies OF all re-
ports received by him from the civil gov
ernOrs, one such report had been with
held and not furnished TO the committee.
This report, Senator CuIberson said, con
taiEed serious charges against the mill
tary administration Of the province and
against the conduct Of the army gener-
ally.
The chairman Senator Lodgel said
that his first knowledge Of the withhold
ing Of a report had come to hin in a
letter from the Secretary OF War. It had
been withheld. not BY Governor Taft.
but by the War Department and for the
reason that il made most sweeping at
tacks on officers OF the army and on the
army in that province. The object was to
have General Chafee report upon IL
Senator Culberson said that the chair
mans remarks seemed to assume that it
was within the authority OF the Secretary
Of War TO control. in some respects. the
examination before the conl-41ttee; and
if the position OF the chairman went so
far, he Senator CuIbersonl desired 10 en-
ter his earnest protest against IL. He
moved that The Secretary OF Mar bo di-
reeted to furnish the committee With a
copy OF the report IN question. TO be
published in the committees proceed
ings
senator RawIins exp----~F his full con-
currence with Senate. -on.
Charges Agail-- raft
IN the course Of an extended eouOquy
on the subject. Senator CuIberson said
that Governor Taft had deliberately with
held a damaging report. while testifying
before the committee. although at the
same time he had submitted q large nun
Der Of favorable reports with respect tc
other provinces
70 co A--tA4 l'-A ~ 4AA4 lAAc w -AlL U
q provineez~ Senator Allison enquired-
From the civil governor OF the prov
ince Of Tayabas," Senator CuIberson re-
piled. "A Federal officer at that. a major
in the volunteer army. The withholding
Of that report by the Secretary Of War
is a proposition on his part to control a
committee Of the Senate"
Thrown Into Prison
Senator RGwlins stated on authority OF
the newspaper press that ;he governor
who made the report in question had been
seized and thrown into prison. with the
other members Of his government. in
resentment for The statement which they
had made officially That was the case
which confronted the committee. and he
asked II the committee was not entitled to
know what the facts were It was nat
ter which ought TO have publ
The matter was closed by II
Of a resolution directing the Secl
War TO furnish to the committee
port in question. with General Cb.
statement in regard to it wheneyc.
ceived.
Macarthur On the Situation
General Macarthur. having made
preliminary statement that he went 10
the Philippine Islands in June. 1898. re-
mained there three years. succeeded Gen
eral Otis in command on Nay 8. 1900 and
left on July 4. 1901. was asked by the
chairman to describe in his own way the
general situation in the islands when ne
left, the prospects OF paeifcation and Of
the establishment Of an orderly govern
ment
He spoke Of the confused condition OF
mind with which he had gone to the Phil
ippines. but said that al the end OF 4
year some definite ideas had begun 10 de-
velOp themselves. First. as 10 the Wis
dom Of permanent American occupation
Of the islands, and as 20 its material ad-
vantages alike 20 the United States aud
20 the Philippines; and. second. as 10 the
psychological and remote consequences
OF building tho best -ypa Of republican
Institutions in the lar East.
General Macarthur was proceeding to
elaborate these points. but made little
progress when the committee adjourned
q