The Washington times., 1902-04-13
SURRENDER OF MANILA
NOT PRBARRANGED
Macarthur Questions That
Battle Was Mere Form.
Excused From Answering Mr. Patte1son's
Questions-Might Involve Reflection
on Superior Officers.

When General Macarthur was before
the Senate Committee on the Philippines
yesterday morning he was asked by Mr..
Culberson whether General Merritt's pol
Icy, with respect to the Filipino army be-
| fore Manila. was the same as that pursued
by General Anderson. His answer was:
What General Merritt's policy was I
cannot say. The Filipino troops occu-
pied line opposite to the Spaniards.
! and, of course, their presence in that po-
sition was a great assistance 10 the
American army"
The general was asked whether, under
the then existing conditions Aguinaldo
and the Filipino forces were not justified
in inferring a friendly cooperation be-
tween the American and Filipino forces
against the Spaniards.
Conclusion Not Warranted by Facts.
His reply wae that the conclusion
might be drawn il there were not other
facts to prevent it; and he went on TO
tell of notice having been given to Aguin
aldo that his forces were not to partici-
pate in the fight TO take place the next
day between the United States and the
SpaDiards. Notwithstanding that notice,
he said the Filipinos did participate in
the assault the next day.
Senator Patterson-When did you learn
that the attack on Manila was a mere
form to give the Spaniards an opportunity
TO surrender?
General MacArthur-I never learned
that fact yet.
Senator Patterson--Will you state TO
I he puafft ion hat oh,
an understanding?
Never Reached Him Officially.
General MacArthur-That fact never
reached me as brigade commander.
Historically, is it not true?"
81 cannot say
You do not deny its truth"
Il do not deny il. or affirm it
"On the theory that the attack on Man
lila was simply feint by an understand
ing with General Merritt and Admiral
Dewey on the one side, and the Spanish
general on the other does not that ac-
count for the change of attitude toward
Aguinaldo? AS long as the cooperation
of Agunaldo was deemed necessary, it
was favored. but when II was agreed that
there was TO be no resistance, the Ameri- |
cans wanted 10 do it themselves
Orders to Fight
General MacArthur-So far as ! know
there was no such agreement. Ny orders |
ders got into the fight
Senator Patterson-H you any ques- |
tion now that there was an understand |
ing between those in command of the |
American army and those in command OF |
the Spanish army that The resistance TO |
the American attack to be but nom |
inal and that the city was to be sur
Have you any question as TO I
that?
General MacArthur-Yes. good deal
have heard that stated and have seen
I In print. Bur know nothing TO justify
(. ! followed my orders All that ! |
lave heard since is absolutely eX parte
Where ii came from | do not know.
The Question Eliminated.
This course OF examination was based
areely upon an article written by Gen |
: b. Greene and published in the Cen
ury Magazine" in April, 1899. The ques-
ion whether the specified arrangements
lid not account for the change of atti-
ude toward the Filipino troops was OBJ
ected TO on the part of the Republican
members Of the committee. and gave rise
o a long controversy. The chairman Mr.
.odge finally ruled that as the question
night involve a reflection on the wit
less superior officer it should not be al
owed
Senator Patterson asked General Mac
Arthur whether he had any know ledge OF
he enlistment, or attempted enlistment.
II men in the Philippines for service In
he British Army.
Il have no such knowledge was the
eply.
The committee adjourned till Monday.