The Washington times., 1902-06-01
General Debate on Phil
ippines Civil Govern
ment Bill Closes.
CARMACK THE ONLY SPEAKER
Administration Responsible for Atroci-
ties-Arny Defended-Charges Under
Peculiar Circumstances - Perjurers
Still in Ranks-The Bloody Shirt.

The first night session of the Senat'
OF the Fifty-seventh Congress was hell
last night with the purpose of afford
ing more time for tho general debate
on the Philippine civil government bill
General debate closed with the adjourn
ment Of the night session.
Mr.. Carnack was the only speaker
Mr.. Foraker, who had declared his in
tcntion to speak. left the Senate Cham
Der before Mr.. Carmack had finished.
BY unanimous consent 1t was agreed
early last week that the bill should
be voted on next Tuesday and that gen.
eral debate should end yesterday.
Mr.. spooner did not finish his speech
until O'Clock, and there were still
several Senators who wished to con-
tribute speeches. A recess was then
taken until o'clock.
A Democratic Audience.
Mr.. Carmack had a good audience OF
Democrats. but Senators Beveridge and
Warren we're the only Republicans pres
ent, and the Republican side of the
chamber was unoccupied.
Mr.. Carmack reiterated his charges
Of cruelty against officers in the Philip
pines. He defended the army and said
that the Democrats generally have done
the same. and that the policy of the Ad-
ministration in the islands is alone TO
be blamed for the atrocities perpe-
trated.
He read long list of cases in which
officers of the army were convicted OF
cruelty and torture 10 prisoners of war
and were punished with reprimands only
or with reprimards and slight fines.
These cases were two years ago or
more. There have been not even the
punishment of reprimands in the past
two years. There is not a case on
record of any officer being punished for
the war departure
Singular Instances of Retraction.
Mr.. Carmack said that in many in
stances of stories of torture that came
out in the islands themselves, the SOL
diers who made the charges have re-
tracted them, while not a man who has
returned to the United States has made
a retraction.
There is something singular about
this. 1t has a peculiar look. / have
few facts which may throw some light
on it."
He went on to tell of two witnesses.
<.wx< II.
testified against an officer for the muir
der OF two FiliDinos. These men. he
said. swore TO their testimony. After
ward they denied their first stories.
And yet these men, periurers on their
own statements. are still In the Ameri-
can Army"
air. carmack referred to the Decora-
tion Day speech of President Roosevelt
in speaking Of the Republican defense
OF the American army.
The Bloody Shirt.
Il infer from the speech Of the Pres
ident that the waving OF the bloody shirt
and references to the lynchings in the
South will be the last as well as the
first argument of the Administration.
Mr.. Carmack defended AguinaIdo
against the attacks OF the Republicans. |
saying that he had been convicted while |
still a prisoner. without being given a |
chance TO be heard. on the testimony of |
his enemies.
He asserted that Aguinaldo was hos
pitable and kindly. and that his treat
nent of his prisoners of war was char
acterized by great humanity. In telling
he story Of his capture by General Fun
ston. he related how Aguinaldo had or
Tered that the Macabebe scouts be fed.
md how they had then shot one of his
men and then kicked them
And when Funston told this to the
,yerfed dudes Of the Lotus Club. they
Tapped their fat hands and applauded
lirn," Mr.. Carnack commented.
A Grievous Burden.
He ended by predicting that the pos
ession OF the Philippines would be a
,rieyous burden TO the United States,
With no return commercially or other
wise.
Mr.. Carmack did not finish until near
y 10 O'Clock, and when he concluded the
enate adjourned.