The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-29
MAC ARTHUR SHOULDERS IT
Assumes All Blame For Manner Of
Aguinaldo's Capture.

Washington, April 29.-The senate
committee on the Philippines today re
sumed the examination of witnesses il
connection with the investigation of the
affairs in the islands General Mac
Arthur continued his examination he
explained the statement in his annual
report OF June 30 1900, that the United
States had acquired sovereignty by
treaty and in a way owned the Philip
pine islands, but did not own the Phil
ippine people by saying that these
conclusions We're reached after cOnVer-
sation with an Infinite number of peo-
pie and observation, and that they rep
resented the bulk Of the views of the
nationalist party. He then, in response
to questions by Senator Patterson. de-
within the American lines on the night
of February 5. 1899, when the outbreak
occurred, and identified what is re-
ported to be a copy OF the order OF
General Luna for the massacre of the
foreign residents of Manila. Senator
Patterson sought to SHOW that it was
not difficult to deceive Aguinaldo by
forgery and referred to his capture by
General Funston through a forged let
ter signed 'Lacuna."
General Macarthur with considerable
emphasis declared that General Fun
ston was not responsible in any way for
any methods which obtained in the cap
ture of AguinaldO-
Il am responsible in that matter in
every way and particular" said General
MacArthur. 1T was one of the decep-
tiOns frequently practieed in war, and
whatever blame attaches thereto l
take"
With regard to the order for the Ma
rila massacre General MacArthur an
swering further questions by Senator
Patterson said the order he saw was
signed by Sandico and not by Luna.
General Macarthur detailed the efforts
made by him to ferret out Luna's con-
nectiOn with il.
The witness could not recall a letter of
General Reeves. who was the chief Of
police at Manila, in which he stated that
he did not believe a massacre was in
tended because it was entirely contrary
to the manner in which the Fillplnos
had waged war in the past
ReVerting TO the SandicO order, Sen
ator Patterson quoted from report OF
DR. F. c. Bourns, surgeon IN the
United States army, as to how he came
in possession of lit through Filipino
who made copy Of the original. The
/ senator referred to a later statement
by DIR. Bourns to the effect that the
Filipino might have stretched things a
General Macarthur claimed there
might have been two orders.
Would you hang a yellow dog on the
/ testimony that is paraded here as to the
genuineness of those orders? % asked
+ Senator Patterson
The witness said it would depend on
what kind of yellow dog it was.
General Macarthur disclaimed any re-
sponsfbility for the orders of General
/ Jacob H Smith to make Samar a howl
ing wilderness. Replying to a question
by Senator Beveridge. General Mac
Arthur said that absolute chaos would
result should the Filipinos be given
complete independence and the United
States entirely withdrawal from the is
lands, but he said he would like to ex-
plain this statement at another session
rt1sar raFar
excused until tomorrow, the committee
going into executive session to further
/ consider the advisabinty of summoning
witnesses asked for by the minority