The Washington times., 1902-05-01
Senate Committee Deems
1t Improper to Summon
Prisoners of War.
MACARTHUR AGAIN HEARD
Believes Retention of Philippines Will
Rebound to Benefit of Natives-Says
Destruction of Life Was Not Excessive.
A "Tuitionary" Annex.

The Senate Philippine Committee yes
terday at its executive session refused
the request of the minority members of
the committee that Aguinaldo Sixto Lo-
rez. Mabini and other Filipino leaders
be summoned before the committee. The
action was taken By a strictly party vote.
Senator Lodge later in the Senate ex-
planned the position of the majority In
the matter. He said they had been very
doubtful IL il would be proper 10 call
upon prisoners Of war to testify. and that
In addition 1t was thought to be out OF
the question to hear so many witnesses
before adjournment. He said he was in
favor Of sending a committee to the
Philippines to examine witnesses.
The committee also refused to send a
cablegram for Major Gardener. though it
is understood that both Republicans and
Democrats wish 10 hear what he has to
say. This question was also discussed at
length later in the Senate.
General Macarthur Continues.
General Macarthur resumed his testi-
mony before the committee yesterday
with an application Of the statement
made by him on Tuesday.
During his testimony ne reviewed the
consequences of the French revolution.
The Democratic Senator's took some ex-
ceptions to this on the ground that
while. as they said. it might be interest,"
ing. 1t was certainly not the result of
General MacArthur's observations in the
Philippines. Senator Carmack said the
statement was an argument to sustain a
certain policy and was not in any sense
testimony
In reply to questions by Senator Patter-
son. General Macarthur expressed his be-
lief that the retention of the islands
would produce material benefits to the
Filipino people.
Such Of them as still live after they
have been subiugated. 1 suppose you
nean?" remarked Mr. Patterson.
Results of Warfare.
"Oh. don't believe that there has been
my unusual destruction of life in the
replied General Macarthur
There has been some, of course. as an
INCIDENT OF warfare.
1.-The destruction amounted to the loss
4 80 1-3 per cent of the population OF one
'rovince. did it not." said Mr. Patterson.
IF you believe that started the
fitness.
Have We not Just as much right to be-
ieve the report Of an army officer who
Tas civil governor Of the province as we
ave to believe your" asked the Senator.
you can believe what you please" re-
orted the witness
Mr.. Burrows remarked that the large
cath rate in that province was due to
isease.
ITO disease. starvation. and war-all
Peace Proposition of 1900.
Senator Patterson read from peace
roposition made in June 1900 by seven
filipino leaders to General Macarthur, in
luding general amnesty, guarantee Of
afsty to persons and property and the
estitution of all eonfiscated property and
Their guarantees: and he asked the gen.
raj whether, IL that proposition had been
ccepted. peace would not have resulted.
General Macarthur made an explanation
how the paper came to be submitted to
i'm He had taken the initiative Of the
lovement himself. but il had proved abor-
We. The paper submitted had not been
satisfactory to him.
General Macarthur said that any effort
y the Filipinos to establish government
their own would be a failure. They
nd rudimentary ideas Of government and
ere. therefore. in an especially plastic
ondition for molding into American
eas. But they had no conception OF the
echanics OF politics. by which the results
icy are all anxious to attain could be
.ached.
The withdrawal of the United States
ON the islands would result in prevent
q the introduction OF republican insti
CONTINUED from Second Page.)