New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-01
MACARTHUR'S TESTIMONY.
WHY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE UNITED
STATES TO WITHDRAW FROM
THE PHILIPPINES.

STATES TO WITHDRAW FROM
THE PHILIPPINES.
Washington, April 3O-Major General Mac
Arthur gave further testimony before the Senate
Committee on the Philippines to-day. He
planned his statement made yesterday. that alb
solute chaos would result should independence
be given to the Filipinos and the United States
forces be withdrawn. by saying that the people
of the Philippines, being less prepared for self
government and administration than any of the
Latin-American republics at the time OF their
emancipation from Spain. their own unatded
efforts to accomplish self-regeneration would in
all probability prove abortive The people of
the Philippines. he said. have rudmentary ideas
and aspirations and are therefore In essen
TALLY plastic condition, which under the tuition
airy control of the United States. would in his
opinion admit of rapid moulding of the body
polite into a consistent. self-supporting COM
monweath. Even the best thinkers. he said.
among the Filipinos have no conception what
ever of the practical mechanical efforts where
by the results they are all anxious to attain can
be successfully accomplished. American with
drawal from the islands would. in his opinion
result in the permanent failure of republican in
situations in the East and a fratricidal war,
which would continue until suppressed by some
exterior force. Inc broad BenerdllIdtlol, ne
said is reached that the United States must re-
tain the archipelago a tuitionary annex; that
we must plant our institutions there; that we
must contend for commercial supremacy and
perhaps combat for political supremacy to over
come the inherent difficulties Of the situation.
which will require the most earnest efforts OF
constructive craftsmanship.
Senator Patterson asked if he would apply the
same views with respect to Japan. and General
Macarthur said that if Japan should come into
our hands in a clean manner with clean con-
science pure morals and with the same definite
purpose we have in the Philippines, should
by all means keep it. He gave it as his con-
scientious belief that the presence of the United
States in the Philippines is an unmitigated
benefit to the people.
METHODS OF WARFARE.
do you mean the Filipino people that are
left alive after they have been subjugated?" in
quired Senator Patterson.
General Macarthur said he did not mean that
that there has been any unusual destruction Of
life in the islands. The destruction" said he
is simply incident to war. and of course. en-
braces a very small percentage of the total
population. which is dense"
Thirty three and a third per cent in one
province" remarked Senator Patterson.
General Macarthur informed Senator Patter-
son that if he preferred 10 believe that, he
NacArthur could not help it.
We have much right to believe that from
an American officer who is the Civil Governor
and who is there in the province as We nave 10
believe you replied senator Patterson, "hlch
brought the retort from General Macarthur:
You can believe what you wish. and l Will be-
lieve what | wish"
General Macarthur referred TO his many eff
forts 10 bring about a cessation Of hosuhtles
and stop bIoodshed These efforts. he said
were directed 10 Aguinaldo through some OF his
friends because in has opinion, Agunado was
the iucarnatiO. of the revolution
The disparity between the killed and wounded
Of the Filipino and Ameroican forces was due
10 the fact that the Fipinos know nothing OF
the double sight on their rifles.
Senator Patterson wanted to know IT, as a
matter OF fact, the contacts between our troops
and the Fliplnos We're not simply assaults ana
pursuits.
General Macarthur denied this saying that
since the affair has reached the guerilla stage
the United States troops have had the greatest
difficulty in finding the FilipinOs. so that when
ever the FilipinOs attacked IL was in the nature
OF a surprise. the Filipino posting himself in
thick mountain gOrEes and firing first. Under
these circumstances our officers and men would
go in after them and then the natural SUI
premacy Of the American showed itself. ana
every man that could be reached was killed.
Replying TO a question by Senator Carmack,
General Macarthur said that when he assumed
responsibility for the methods adopted in capt
uriug Aguinaldo he did without comforting
with the authorities at Washington The plan
was General FunstOn's. he said and he (Mac-
Arthur assumed the responsibility Of approx
ing IT,
At no time. said General Macarthur replying
10 an inquiry from Senator Patterson. did he
violate the rules OF civilized warfare His posi-
ton on this subject. ne said. was emphatic
General Macarthur was excused until to-