The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-20
AAO Wv 'hVOAI ilkLDV
FORMER FILIPINO LEADER NOT A
RoBBER AND LOOTER.
strictly Honest i'm Money Matters. the
General Says. but ssfn DupIicsty
He Has Few Equals"
Attempt Made to Discredit the Gen
erals Statements While He Was
Testifying Before Senator'S.
MAI. I. W. T. WALTERS REPORT
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE HAZARD
OUs TRIP ACROSS sAMAR.
Island Now PacihedsBy the Surrender
of Lukban's Successor
Leader of the Rebels

WASHINGTON. March 19.-General Otis
continued his testimony before the Senate
Philippines committee to-day. Referring to
his order of Sept. S. 1898, directing the with
drawal OF the insurgent troops outside the
defenses Of Manila, General Otis explained
that commission from Aguinaldo's Cabi-
net visited him. In the discussion which
followed he said they did not mention the
fact that the towns Immediately adjacent
to Manila were not a portion of the city
lie classed as ridiculous Aguinaldo's re-
quest TO receive a portion of the northern
part of Manila, occupied by the Spaniards
in trade for some of the southern part of
the city. held by the insurgents
General Otis said he did not give the in
surgents actual permission to occupy the
blockhouses. which Aguinaldo claimed had
been given. What he had said was: 81 don't
care anything about the blockhouses. We
are not going to take possession of them"
General Otis said that Aguinaldo had de-
manded OF General Merritt the right to oc-
cupy the palace and to make appointments
in the civil government, which caused Gen.
Merritt to cable Washington for instruc-
tions. The reply was that there must be no
dual occupation of Manila. General Otis
then detailed the circumstances attending
the capture of noilo. the offer of the Span
ish General Rios TO hold the place against
the insurgents. pending the arrival of
United States troops. and the capture of the
town by the Visayans before the arrival of
the United States troops Agunaldo was
over1oyed when ne learned that the detach-
ment had been sent out because he (Aguin-
aIdo) declared that the first shot would be
4
between the United States and the insurg-
ent forces. General Otis said he had cabled
Washington. saying that the taking of
1loilo meant war in the islands and had
received the response to defer action which
he did until the insurgents made on
the United States forces in Manila. lie had.
he said. issued his proclamation extending
military authority to all parts of the archi-
pelago, under Instructions from the Presi-
dent.
Senator Rawlins sought to show that
many of the things done by the United
States military authorities were in contra
ventfon OF the protocol, but General Otis
explained that he felt il his duty TO pro-
tect lives and property. The committee ad
journed until 2:30 p. m. in order To permit
General Otis TO conclude his testimony to-
day
SOVEREIGNTY OMITTED
At the afternoon session General Otis. re-
ferring to the proclamation, said he ex-
pressly omitted therefrom the word "sov-
ereignty," because the F1ipinOs attached
20 it the meaning the word conveyed TO
them while under the domination of Spain.
Senator Carmack called his attention to
the difference between the language used
by the President in his instructions and
that contained in his (otis'sl proclamation,
and asked why, .he had also omitted the
rule, authority must remain supreme"
General Otis explained that when these
Instructions of the President were re-
ceived he was somewhat surprised. He was
afraid they would be disastrous and assist
ant 10 Agunaldo'S government TO excite the
people OF LuZOn. General Otis said he told
Admiral Dewey, who had called on him the
following day that he did not think the
President understood the situation. owing
TO the great distance of the islands from
Washington. and that under the conditions
then prevailing he would be perfectly ius-
titled In making certain amendments. Lead
ing FiIipinos told him that the words re-
ferred 10 might be used by Mabini 10 excite
the people
General Otis admitted. in reply to an in
quiry from Senator McComas, that the act
Of Congress limiting the service of the vol
unteer troops until July 1901. their return
10 the United States and the forwarding of
others TO take their places, greatly ham
pered him in the pacificatfOn of the islands.
When the trouble In China occurred notice
had been passed among the Fiipinos tnat
the United States would not be able TO
send more men 10 the Philippines. and this
emboldened them 10 resist the authority OF
the government.
Senator Patterson asked General Otis if
the idea OF the Filipino people regarding
the hopes and aspirations for independence
a mistaken one.
No" said General Otis ''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-
cans, i suppose. We have the papers or the
original junta." He thought Aguinaldo was
performing a double part at the time. He
then explained the location of the Nebraska
regiment which was first attacked outside
Marila.
IN response 10 Senator Carmack ne said
that he had no plan of acticn in contem-
plarion In the event the fight had not
occurred that night and that the treaty
had been ratified the next day. although
plan could have been found very quickly.
No man ever worked harder in the in
tsrest or peace than 1. said the general.
but II the United States troops had at
tackled the Fili9in0s and driven them out
OF the city when they first got there il
would have been much better. They got
very 'cOcky after while and thought they
could sweep rs into the bay" The trouble
.n Luzon. General Otis said, was caused by
the good men being overthrown, 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 IL necessary asked Senator Pat
terson.
DIDN'T WANT INDEPENDENCE
General Otis replied; "They asserted
that they wanted 10 drive the Spaniards
out" Further on he remarked that what
they were for he did not know. He had an
idea. however formed some time previous
20 the breaking out OF hostilities. that the
Insurgents intended 10 drive the Americans