The age-herald., 1902-03-07
Has Another Warm CoIIOQuv
 With Senator Patterson
LODGE DEFENDS WITNESS
Senator cuIberson Said He Thought Committee Had Right to Ask Questions, No Matter If Did
 Criticise superiors- eA

Washington, March 6-General Hughes gave further testimony before the Sen ate Philippines committee today. MT. Pat terson resumed the questioning which yesterday led to a sharp colloquy in the committee room between the witness and himself. In an endeavor to establish the fact that the Filipino army had effeo- lively held the Spanish army within its lines In Manila, previous to the arrival of the American forces, MT. Patterson re- ferred to the surrender of 20Oo Spanish to the insurrection forces in July, 1898. General Hughes said that the incident would only make him believe that the Filipino had cut the supplies from the interior.
 Senator Patterson quoted from a maga- zinc article by General Merritt published | in July, 1899, in which he spoke of the ] army under Agutnaldo, which he said 1 had been an important factor in the sit uation which confronted the United | States army and which had waged a desultory warfare against the Spanish resulting in the capture of A. 900 prisoners
 Does that modify your opinion9' ask ed MT. Patterson. | Not at all," said General Hughes who l followed his answer with the question: l Does he state that these prisoners were soldiers?'
 q presume he means soldiers" was Senator Patterson's answer Were Not Spanish Troops. It was brought out that most of the prisoners taken by the Filpinos were not Spanish troops.
 Mr. Patterson again inquired as to the motive of General Otis in requiring tho withdrawal of Agulnaldo's troops from Manila to the line designated by General Merritt. Senator Beveridge objected, say ing it was not fair % ask General Hughes what General Otis meant 1 Senator Lodge ruled that personally he l had no objection to the question, but he l did object to anyone criticising superior. | Senator Culberson said he wanted to an- nounce his absolute dissent from the proposition that committeeman of Con gress is precluded from asking a question on this subject, the answer to which might be a criticism of superior of dcer
 Would Not Commit Themselves.
 In answer to a further question by Senator Patterson as to whether the Fil- ipinos would accept independence unless 1t was accompanied by protectorate by the United States General Hughes said l that at a conference held by him with | representatives of the insurgent army in Manila they would not commit them selves to a proposition of protectorate by the United States. They first wanted independence. he said, and after that they would arrange for the protectorate' America being considered along with the other powers.
 l The peace and good will, General Hughes declared which existed in the l Philippines outside of Manila from July, 1s9O to February. 1899, were due not to the Filipinos but the Spanish padras. Revertng to his conference in Manila, 1 General Hughes said he was unable to get Auginaldo's representatives to define l to him what concessions they desired l short of absolute independence, although they insisted that they must have some thing definite to take back to the S0,000 men who were virtually investing the city, because unless they did they would be unable to hold them in check.
 You knew at the time," inquired Senator Patterson, that you could not grant what they were asking?"
 Wanted Absolute Independence.
 'I was unable to get them to decide what they wished except absolute inde- pendence, which of course we were not authorized to give" responded General Hughes.
 Senator Patterson: Do you want this l committee to understand that the com- missioners representing the Philippine army did not want independence if 1t was accompanied by the withdrawal or the l American fleetT'
 General Hughes: q want you to un- derstand that they wished protection"
 Senator Patterson "I will ask you to answer my question yes or no
 This nettled General Hughes somewhat. who turned to the chairman, Senator | Lodge and asked if he was bound to | answer according to the gentleman's dic- l tations?"
 Senator Lodge, with much emphasis. re- piled:
 No; you can answer the question in your own way"
 The Senator said the committee had no l right to dictate to the witness how he l shall answer.
 l Senator Patterson: ''Do I understand 1 that however evasive witness may be | 1 cannot ask for more direct answer?" | Senator Lodge: You are attempting to compel his answer. I think his answer was direct"
 Repeated His Question.
 'I do not think it was responded Senator Patterson. He then repeated his question.
 General Hughes explained that at the time of the conference the Filipinos ap- preciated their inability to stand alone. but insisted they must first have absolute independence
 That is as definite an answer as you can give, is it?" asked Senator Patter- son.
 General Hughes, manfesting unmis- takable evidence of his irritation, re- piled:
 'If it does not answer your question will you show me in what way 1t fails?"
 Senator. Beveridge then asked General Hughes if he felt that he had answered the question
 "I have answered 1t three times" was the response.
 Senator Patterson remarked there were answers and answers
 The coloauy was abruptly ended by Senator Lodge. who announced it was 12 o'clock, the hour for adjournment and further commencing tomorrow the com mittee would sit in executive session to take up the Philippine bill and consider