The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-16
EXCITING DEBAT
ON PHILIP ZINES
Scene Has Shifted from Senate
Chamber to Hall of House.
W0RDy WARFARE IN AIsLEs.
Speech of MIR. vanDiver, of Mississippi,
Brought on the Discussion-Per-
sonaIities and Recriminations
INDUCED in Freely.
WORDY WARFARE In AISLES.
iRr Associated Press.l

Y
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 15.-The
House to-day was plunged into an ex-
citing debate on Philippine affairs. Thus
far the subject of alleged atrocities in
the islands has engaged the attention OF
the Senate alone and only occasional
echoes have been heard in The House. But
to-day the reports Of cruelty and outrages
were rehearsed in the House with the
same vehemence and bitterness that has
at times characterized the discussion in
the Senate. The naval bill was the order
of the day, but it received only scant at
tention after the allegations of Philippine
outrages were presented.
A speech by Mr.. Van-Diver. of Missouri,
reciting instances of alleged outrages
brought on the discussion which at times
developed into wordy warfare across
the ascs separating the two sides Of
the chamber. Personalities and recrimi-
nations were freely passed about.
TOO HORRIBLE FOR BELIEF.
Mr.. VanDiver, OF Missouri, sent to the
desk and had read a statement appear
ing in the Irish World, signed by Corpo-
raj Richard O'Brien, Co. +. Twenty-third
Volunteers. giving alleged details of afro
cities in the Philippines. the killing of
native women and babies under circum-
stances of unusual cruelty, including the
charges were too horrible for belief, Mr.
VanDiver said, If they were not sub
stantially borne out by official reports
of outrage by our forces against the ma
tives.
When MIR. VanDiver asked If any one
in behalf of the administration was
ready to rise and defend the atrocities
by American soldiers on natives, Mr.. W..
A. Smith, of Michigan, retorted with an
inquiry whether any one on the other
side of the chamber was ready to rise
and DEFEND the atrocities Of natives on
American soldiers.
An exciting passage followed between
Mr.. Smith and Mr.. VanDiver. The lat
ter asserted that atrocities neither on
the one side or the other were defensi-
BILE. II have evidence piled mountain
high declared Mr.. VanDiver, ''of cruel
ty, extorton, torture murder. arson. rape
and every other crime known to the cal
endar.'
THE RETORT VIOLENT.
THAT is false" exclaimed Mr. Smith,
land I hurl back the charge at the gen
tleman and call upon him to produce the
proofs if he can
1.-The proofs are ample and Will be pre-
sented," said Mr.. VanDiver.
1.-THE gentleman ought to be ashamed
of himself interrupted Mr.. Smith, ito
assail the American army 1000 miles from
home.'
Mr. VanDiver responded that his re-
spect for the dictates of humanity were
greater than that for soldiers guilty OF
such crimes. He proceeded to read por-
tons Of the testimony before the Philip
pine Committee. When he referred 10
General Funston. Mr.. Lands lnterJecteoi
the sarcastic inquiry: Funston. that is
the gentleman who captured your OLD
friend Emilio Aguinaldo?'
Yes" answered Mr.. VanDiver, and
this Emilio Aguinaldo seems to be a great
b,.gbear to the other side OF the cham
ber." ,
But all his euogies come from that
(the Democratic) side OF the chamoer'
answered Mr.. Lands.
Soon after Mr.. VanDiver became en-
gagged in a warm colloquy with Mr. Ham
ilton, of Michigan, who demanded TO
know how a stable government was gong
TO be maintained without soldiers.
Mr.. Mudd, of Maryland. gave notice
that he would move an amendment &c
the naval bill prohibiting the purchase
of Maclay's history, the animated aver
sions in it against Admiral Schley being
responsible, in his opinion for the cour'
of inquiry
Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio. said he though
the time had come for careful tnVestlsa
ton of the question of building warshlps
in government yards in order that the
exact facts might be determined.