Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-16
EXCITEMENT IN THE HOUSE
Vandivsr Of Missouri Takes Up the Demo-
cratic oudgel Against the Army.
SAYS HE HAS PROOF OF VILE ATROCITIES
smith of Michigan Declares the state
ment False and Demands that
the Missourian
HIS Evidence.

His Evidence.
WASHINGTON, May 15.-The house to-
day was plunged into an exciting debate on
Philippine affairs. Thus far the subject OF
alleged atrocities in the islands has en-
gagged the attention OF the senate alone,
and only occasional echoes have been
heard in the house. But today the reports
OF cruelty and outrage we're rehearsed in
the house with vehemence and bitterness.
The naval bill was the order OF the day,
but it received only scant attention, after
the allegations Of Philippine outrages were
presented. A speech by Mr. Vandiver OF
Missouri reciting instances or alleged out
rage, brought on the discussion. Person.
allties and termination were freely
passed about. Mr.. Vandiyer was supported
In his criticisms by Mr.. Wheeler OF Ken
lucky, while vehement defenses Of the
American soldiers were made by Mr.. Hep
burn Of Iowa, Mr.. Grow OF Pennsylvania,
Mr.. Hill Of Connecticut, Mr.. W.. A. Smith
OF Michigan and Mr.. Lessler Of New York.
General debate on the naval bill closed at
4 o'clock and when the house adjourned the
measure was being read for amendment.
Rejects senate Amendments.
The senate amendments to the agricul-
tural appropriation bill were disagreed TO
by the house today and the bill was sent
to conference. with Messrs. wadsworth,
Henry Of Connecticut and williams OF Mis-
sissippi as the house conferees.
By unanimous consent a bill was passed
for the further distribution Of supreme
court reports and digests to federal o~ficiais
and judges. Also the bill opening to home
stead entry the Ute tract in Colorado, en-
bracing about 1900, 900 acres.
AS a result of several cases OF emergency
illness which have occurred in the house a
resolution was adopted directing the SER
geant-at-arms to provide an emergency
equipment Of medicines to be approved by
Representatives Wilson, Showalter and Ball.
physician members.
Mr.. Mudd of Maryland gave notice that
he would move an amendment to the bill
prohibiting the use OF money carried in
the naval bill for the purchase OF Mac
Lays history, the "animadversions' in 10
against Admiral Schley being responsible.
In his opinion, for the court of inquiry.
II the history had been clear Of partisan
feeling. he said, and had the historian ac-
cepted the high-minded thought pronounced
by Schley that there was glory enough for
ALL" the American nation would not now
be the butt Of criticism Of the naval ON
GERS OF the world.
Precipitates the Row.
Mr.. vandiver Of Missouri sent to the desk
and had read a statement appearing in the
Irish World, signed by Corporal Richard
o'Brien, Company M. Twenty-sixth volun-
teers, giving alleged details of atrocities
In the Philippines, the killing Of native
women and babes under circumstances of
unusual cruelty. including the use of dunn
dunn bullets. Mr.. Vandiver read a letter
from Patrick Ford, editor of the Irish
World. saying he had talked with Corporal
O'Brien, who reafirmed the charges, and
was ready to make affidavit to them, to be
forwarded to Washington.
The charges were too horrible for be-
lief, Mr.. Vandiver said, II they were not
substantially borne out by oficial reports
of outrages by our forces against the ma
tives. When Mr.. Vandiver asked IL anyone
In behalf Of the administration was ready
to rise and defend the atrocities by Amer
lean soldiers on natives, Mr.. w. A. Smith
OF Michigan retorted with an inquiry
whether anyone on the other side Of the
chamber was ready to rise and defend the
atrocities Of natives on American soldiers.
Exciting CrOss-Fire.
An exciting passage followed between Mr..
OAAANh ~ Va uhuANGIs Inc ldIIeT as
serted that atrocities, neither on one side
nor the other, were defensible.
II have evidence, piled mountain-high.''
declared Mr.. Vandiver, "of cruelty, extor-
ton. torture. murder, arson, rape and
every other crime known to the calendar"
THAT is false" exclaimed Mr.. Smith,
"and / hurl back the charge at the gen.
tleman and call upon him to produce the
proofs II he can"
The proofs are ample and will be pre-
sented," said Mr.. Vandiver.
The gentleman ought to be ashamed OF
himself" interrupted Mr.. Smith, ito assaii
the American army, 1000 miles from
home"
MIR. Vandiver responded that his respect
for the dictates of humanity were greater
than that for soldiers guilty Of such cru
city.
Appalling Crimes by Natives.
Mr.. Hill of Connecticut detailed a visit
paid to General Smiths headquarters in
the Philippines and added:
1 found the department Of General Jacob
h smith in peace and quietness, and yet
while that condition existed this Incident
actually occurred: A company of Tagalos,
Filipinos-the Filipino army, II you choose
to call II such,-descended on a village of
peaceable FIlipinos who chose to carry on
their regular business pursuits in peace
and quietness and destroyed that village,
numbering men, women and children and
N the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Van
diver desires a specimen of barbarity /
want to tell you what they did to loyal
F~flipinos and Americans. They took men
out and tied them to ant hills, six or eight
or ten feet high and six feet In diameter,
filled with ants that are absolutely raven
Gus and eat up everything they come In
contact with. They tied these men TO ant
hills and allowed them TO be eaten to death
by ants. They buried them I'm the ground
up to their necks and allowed them 10 be
picked to death by the birds and eaten by
the ants. They took loyal Filipinos and
loyal Americans and cut them open In the
abdomen. taking out a portion OF the bow
els and mailing II to a tree and driving
them around the tree with bolos while they
disemboweled themselves; and yet you gem
tlemen stand here and condemn American
soldiers for standing by the men who are
loyal TO the American flag and who are
suffering such outrages as these.