New-York tribune., 1902-01-28

Using Lne senate for its acton or statements re-
garding the Philippines. [ don't know who Cen
eral Wheaton Is. but he probably is some charity
boy appointed TO West Point by Senator or Rep
resentative, and since supported by the govern
meut Such remarks as he is quoted having
made are, however outrageous and indecent
Mr. LODGE DEFENDS GENERAL WHEATON.
Mr.. Lodge suggested that II would be wise TO
ascertain before General Wheaton was reprimanded
whether he actually made the statements at
tributed to him. General Wheaton, he said. was an
officer OF ability and character. and no hasty action
ought 70 be taken in such a
Mr.. Teller-I don't think there's any doubt that
General Wheaton said what is attributed TO him
Mr.. Lodge-There may be great deal Of doubt
or II.
Mr.. Teller. continuing. said such a situation
had arisen OF the blessings growing out
Of the conditions in the Philippines. paddock,
he asserted. was 10 be placed upon the mouth of
every man. Congressman or private citizen. and all
criticism Of the sdmnistra tons Philippine policy
be silenced. He referred 10 the criticisms
Of Senator's who had sEonzed the administra-
tions policy in the Philippines. declaring they had
been charged even with treason. "I suppose" said
he. that no Senator after while viii he able 70
read this floor the Declaration Of Independence
without subjecting himself 10 d charge of melting
treason" He said that If Professor Schurman's
speech published in the Philippines II was
known over there that he proposed that the Fill
pnos ultima tely should have their Independence
Anybody he asserted who will criticise the
utterances in that speech would CritCtse the Dec
laration Of Independence. II ne dared 70 10 so
Mr Lodge said Mr.. Teller's statement concerning
the Declaration of Independence was silly. What
Dr.. Schrman said in Boston did not. IN his
opinion. concern the Senate. The only point was
whether general Of the United States army had
criticised the Senate Il did not appear from the
dispatch that General Wheaton had referred % the
Senate at all. He had perfect right 70 comment
on Professor Schurman's utterances If he wished
70 II would be = most unusual proceeding 70 as
sumo that General Wheaton was guilty Of any
tndiscretion until he had been heard from
In response 20 inquiries bv Mr.. Rawlins. Of
Utah. Nj Lodge said he did not know whether
per dispatches sent from Manila we're cen
sored or not and he did not know whether the
War Department had or had not taken steps 70
ascertain whether General Wheaton had made the
statements attributed 70 him
Nj Carmack. Of Tennessee. questioned the right
Of any officer Of the United States army TO criticse
either the actions or the utterances Of any prt-
vate citizen.
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION CRITICISED.
When the Philippine tariff bill was taken up Mr.
Rawlins questioned Mr.. Lodge about acts 81 the
Philippine Commission which he said were de-
signed 10 prevent the discussion Of Philippine in
dependence in the islands
Nj Lodge said such acts were passed but they
were for the purpose Of suppressing the insured
ton. that II was desirable that peace should he
established before independence Of the Islands and
other questions were discussed.
Mr. Rawlins said that the acts of the commits
sion were suppression OF free speech IN the Phil
tppines
Mr.. Lodge said that the acts related wholly 70
armed insurrecuon in the islands
Mr.. Dubois. returning 70 the Wheaton incident,
said he objected TO army officers criticising the
tee, and saying that their action was encouraging
the Fuipinos. He said that the armv officers
naturally wanted the war 70 continue. They were
the people who thrived on II.
Mr. Hoar contended that No unsupported news
pa per report on matter OF this kind ought % he
the introduction Of the Manila dispatch into the
Senate proceedings. He thought the whole matter
ought 10 be eliminated from consideration. as he
believed il likely that General Wheaton would be
reproved II he had many any statements ne ought
not 70 have made
For the time this closed the incident
Mr Nelson. in charge of the Department ~ Com
merce hH, had read long letter from John ",
Hayes. general secretary treasurer Of the Knights
Of Labor, in support OF the bill
Mr.. Jones. OF Arkansas. read a protest on the
part OF railroad engineers. hremen and other en-
ployes against the transfer OF the Department OF
Labor 70 the new Department OF Commerce.
The nil went over without any progress having
been made. and discussion Of the Philippine tariff
bill resumed.
NO SUPPRESSION OF NEWS
Mr Lodge said he desired n apologize for re-
ferring n anything Mr. Teller might have said as
silly. and pointed out that the statement Of Cen
eral Wheaton did not criticse the minority q the
Senate but simply Professor Schurman. He in
sisted that there no disposition on the part Of
anybody suppress views He irstanced
the circulation Of letter urging the soldiers in the
army Of the Philippines nor 70 continue 10 serve.
Who sent out that CIRCULAR" inquired Mr.. Jones.
Of Arkansas.
1t was sent out I think replied NJ Lodge by
Edward Atkinson. 1t urged soldiers not 70 serve
in the Philippine The letter widely cir
culated and attracted attention
MI Rawlins insisted that the suppression or
opinions and information 50 notorious that one
could not depend on the statements coming 70 the
United States from the Philippines The Philippine
Commission, he asserted, had arrogated 10 itself
the functions Of Congress; indeed the commission
had done many things which Congress never would
have done. The dispatch under consideration ind-
Gated he said, that the authorities In the Philip
pines prepared even TO define and punish
what they considered reasonable acts and utter
Mr. Dubois insisted that the dispatch he had
presented bore evidence its face Of accuracy
we have been threatened and blackmailed.' he |
-erances as have been iustanced are offensive 70
Is, and they ought not to be permitted TO pass
without reprinand By the President Of the United
States They are, coming from officers Of the army
IN exceedingly bad taste
Mr. spooner demed i the part Of wisdom TO
the statements attributed 10 him before any at
-empt was made to secure his censure
Mr.. Tillman interrupted inquire who would !
furnish proof that the dispatch read had not been
Mr. spooner replied that he did not believe it
was either inspired censored but he felt that |
The Senate ought TO await definite informau |
General Wheaton, he added fine officer, OF |
YES |interjected Mr Tilman: he is brilliant |
oficer doing some very dirty work. That IS my |
We'll. it is not mine replied Mr.. spooner. Il
nave the word Of the Senator from Indiana Cdr
n the Philippines was abolished some time ago
Mr. Money made extended speech in criticism |
he q