The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-04-18
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Senate Philippine Committee Re-
quests Secretary Root to
Supply Desired Reports.
RELATE TO PROVINCES IN ISLANDS.
Gen. Macarthur Again on the Witness
stand-Case Being Tried at Manila
Against Mai. Waller Ends II De-
cisiOn of the Court Quickly
Reached but Is Withheld.

Washington, April 14.-The senate
committee on the Philippines began its
proceedings Saturday by adopting a
resolution offered by Senator Carmack,
calling upon the secretary of war for
all the orders, ciruclars and official re-
ports received from commanders and
their subordinates in the provinces of
Tayabas, Batangas, Samar and Laguna.
Gen Macarthur was again Saturday
the only witness before the commit
tee and his examination was begun by
Senator Culberson. His questions re-
lated to the relationship between the
native forces and the American
troops when the latter first landed at
Manila.
Senator Culberson called attention
to the fact that there is testimony on
file to the effect that Gen. Anderson
had writted to Aguinaldo inviting his
cooperation at Manila and that the
latter had accepted and that it also is
stated that Gen. Merritt had himself
sent an aide to Gen. Green suggesting
that arrangements be made with the
Il
ing in the occupation of the trenches.
He then asked if, in view of these
facts, the Inference was not author
lied that friendly cooperation was
not desired by the American officials
with the Filipinos in the attack upon
the Spaniards.
Assuming the facts to be as stated"
the witness replied, ''if that were all there
is in the premises it might be admitted
that inference was to be drawn as iEdf-
Gated. But there are other facts which
form a part of the case and which show
the cooperation in the attack on Manila was
not a voluntary one on our part."
Gen. Macarthur then relates that on
the evening previous to the attack
upon Manila, after Gen. Merritt had
issued his order of battle he (Mac Ar
thur) was in consultation with Gen.
Anderson when the latter received
communication from Gen. Merritt di-
recting the latter to inform Aguinaldo
that the battle which was to take place
the next day was to be between the
Americans and the Spaniards and that
he must not participate under any cir
cumstances. Aguinaldo was at that
time, Gen. Macarthur said, five miles
away and the message was sent to him
by wire. He knew, however, that the
Filipino leader had received it because
he had declined to accept the sugges-
tion and he and his native forces had
participated in the engagement the
next day. What had become of that
~
he did not know. He also said that if
there had been cooperation between
Aguinaldo and Gen. Anderson while
the latter was in command of the
American forces he did not know it.
Important Point Raised.
Senator Culberson reiterated the
statements concerning Gen. Merritt's
first dealings with the Filipinos as to
the use of the trenches and also the
order to Gen. Anderson cited by Gen.
Macarthur regarding the notification
to Aguinaldo and asked if that were
mot change of policy on Merritt's
part after he had reaped the benefit of
cooperation with the native troops"
This question practically brought to
a close Gen. MacArthur's statement
for the day, the remainder of the time
being given up to discussion among
the members of the committee as to it's
propriety.
Senator Lodge, as chairman of the
committee, held that it was competent
to ask the witness his opinion on a
given subject, but when the question
involved criticism upon a superior
officer, which was in itself breach of
military discipline, he did not, he said,
believe the committee had a right to
ask it or that the witness could be COM
PEELED to answer it.
The ruling was freely commented
upon by democratic members as calcu-
lated to rob the inquiry of much of it's
usefulness, and they appealed from the
ruling of the chair.
A vote was about to be taken when
the hour for adjournment arrived and
no vote was recorded.
cConDD