New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-07
THE PHILIPPINE INQUIRY.
GENERAL HUGHES IN ANOTHER LIVELY
COLLOQUY WITH DEMOCRATIC
SENATORS.


ley TELEGRAM TEIBUNF
Washington, March 6.-The aut-imperialisti ar
dor Of Mr.. Patterson tho new Senator from Colo
RADIO, got the better Of him again to-day. and but
for the timely interference Of Senator Lodge there
might have heen lively scene in the room Of the
Committee on the Philippines. Brigadier General
Hughes. lately returned from active and arduous
service i'm the Philippines. being examined on
several points touching the relations that existed
between AEunaldos army and the United States
forces under General Merritt after Dewey had
taken Manila, and while Agunaldos tatterde-
maIion troops were hanging ravenously on the out
skirts of the city. Mr. Patterson resumed his
questioning which yesterday led to r. sharp col
loquy between the witness and himself. In
deavor establish the fact that the Fiipinos had
effectively held the Spanish army within its lines
I'm Manila before the arrival Of the American
forces Mr. Patterson referred TO the surrender Of
two thousand Spanish troops to the insurgent
forces in July. 1898.
General Hughes said that the incident would only
make him believe that the Fihpnos had cut of
the supplies from the interior
Senator Patterson quoted from magazine article
by General Merritt published in July, 1899 In which
he spoke of the army under Aguinaldo, which, he
said had been an important factor IN the situation
which confronted the United States army, and
which had waEed desultory warfare against the
Spanish resulting in the capture OF -FOUR thousahd
prisoners
Does that modify your opinion?" asked Mr..
Patterson.
Not at ALL" said General Hughes. who followed
his answer with the question: Does he state that
these prisoners were soldiers
u presume he means soldiers was Senator Fai-
terson's response.
1t was brought out that most OF the prisoners
taken by the Fiipinos not spanish troops
Senator Patterson again inquired as TO the motive
of General Otis in requiring the withdrawal or
Agrnaldo's troops from Manila 10 the line desis-
mated by General Merritt Senator Beverage OBJ
jected. saying It not fair 70 ask Genera
hughes what General Otis meant
nd III hers
right TO ask the question, and Senator Patterson
insisted that any Senator had right respectfully
10 ask witness any question pertinent 10 the SUD
ject under discussion.
Senator Lodge ruled that personally he mad no
objection 10 the question. but he did object 10
one officer criticisng a superior
Senator Culberson said he wanted to announce
his absolute dissent from the proposition that
committee OF Congress is precluded from asking a
question on this subject the answer TO when
might be criticism OF superior officer
TALK OF a PRoTECTORATE.
! In answer to a further question by Senator Pat
! terson as to whether the Filipinos would accept
| independence unless It was accomplished by a
| nrotectorate by the United States General Hughes
! said that at a conference held by him with repre-
| sentatives of the insurgent army in Manila they
! would not commit themselves to a proposition OF
! a protectorate by the United States. They hrst
wanted independence he said. and after that they
would arrange for the protectorate, America Delhs
along with the other powers Inc P'''e0
and goodwill General Hughes declared when eX-
! ,sted in the Philippines outside of Manila. from
Iu1v 1895 to February, 1889. were due not 10 the
! Filipinos but to the Spanish padres
! Snealing of his conference in Manila, General
/ Hughes said he was unable 10 get Agunaldo 3
renresenta tives 10 define him what concessions
| they desired short OF absolute independence al
! though they insisted that they must have some
thing definite take back to the thirty thousahn
men who were virtually investing the CITY, because
,,I.ss +bAyy aid they would be unable to hold them
! in check.
! SON that you could not grant what they were
ASKING unable 10 get them to decide what they
/ wished except absolute independence. which. OF
/ course we were not authorized to give responded
/ DO you want this committee to understand
asked Senator Patterson mat tnese 3 nt
! Independence If it was accompanied by the WIN
/ n want YOU to understand that they wished pro-
| lection replied General Hughes,
NO. WI! SAID AK senator yEd PATERSON
This nettled General Hughes, who turned to the
| chairman Senator Lodge and asked If he was
| hound Ito answer according to the gentleman 5
senator Lodge with much emphasis replied: No;
you can an nroitee had no right to dictate to
| the witness how he should answer
ness N may s pei senator Patterson
! ""You are attempting to compel his answer. I
think his answer was direct" replied Mr.. Lodge
| ator Patterson. He then repeated his question.
General Hughes explained that at the time o. the
conference the FilipinOs appreciated their nabil-
ity TO alone but insisted that they must first
| have absolute independence.
| THAT is as definite answer you can give,
| Is ito" asked Senator Patterson
| General Hughes. manfesting unmistakable evil
dence of his irritation, replied: IF 1t does not
| answer your question. will YOU show me in what
! way II false
! Senator Beveridge asked General Hughes II he
| felt that he had answered the question.
| Il have answered IL three times the re
| Spouse.
| Senator Patterson remarked that there were
| answers and answers
| The coIlouuy was abruptly ended by Senator
| Lodge who announced that IT was IL O'clock the
! hour OF adjournment, and further that. beginning
| to-morroVr the committee would in executive SEES
| sion take up the Philippine government bill and
| consider g. although further hearings would be