Evening star., 1902-03-20
SENATOR'S SPEECHES
Their Influence on Filipinos
Discussed.
GEN. OTIS EXAMINED
CONTINUES TESTIMONY RE-
GARDING THE ISLANDS.
His Anxiety to Prevent Breaking Out
GEN. OTIS EXAMINED
His Anxiety to Prevent Breaking Out
of Hostilities-American En-
couragement of Insurgents.

Gen Otis today resumed his testimony
before the Senate Philippine committee
Senator Patterson continued his question
ing and referred to letter dated Septem-
| ber s. 1898, addressed by Gen. Otis to Agui-
naldo as the commanding general of the
Philippine forces in which he spoke Of the
Sacrifices made by the revolutionary forces
'n the interest of civil liberty.
Gen. Otis declared that this related to
their dealings with the Spaniards. He ad-
mitted that before the United States army
arrived in Manila and for some little time
before they took possession. the insurgents
| had hemmed the Spaniards in Manila. He
denied that he led Aguinaldo to believe
that the United States would not assume
absolute sovereignty and governmental
control over the islands.
Asked what he meant by the statement in
his letter that rather than see the ships
of the United States navy control the naVi-
gable waters of these islands and Its army
devastating their territory, l greatly prefer
to advise my government not to send any
more troops here" Gen. Otis answered that
that was his opinion because he did not
want to any war. II wanted to con-
uuer by peaceable means" said he, but
gave the impression that there were troops
waiting"
Gen. Otis said, answering an inquiry by
Senator Hale that had the government
taken him at his word. not to send more
troops. anarchy would have reigned
throughout the island. He thought that
his letter should be considered a whole.
Trying to Preserve Peace.
That was a period when was laboring
hard said he. Ito keep the peace and 10
| keep our men and officers from paying at
| tention to the insults received from Philip
pine officers and insurgents.
| Answering Senator Patterson. Gen. Otis
ca{J tha+ ha of which
| Hughes was a member had stated to, rep
resentatives OF Aguinaldo that no conces-
| sions could be made without the sacrifice Of
| some of the attributes of sovereignty.
Gen. Otis declared that the Filipinos have
no correct Idea of liberty. Liberty with
| them said he lis license
But what is your standard of qualifica-
ton for government asked Senator
What kind OF government" answered
! Gen Otis. do you mean despotic govern
ment?"
mo. self-government," was Senator Pat
| Gen. Otis said they were perfectly quail
fed for despotic military government.
| Senator Patterson asked II he considered
| the people Of Mexico qualified for sef-gov
| ernment. to which Senator Beverdge OBJ
| jected. but before the chairman could de-
| eide the point Gen. Otis said he declined to
| answer. Senator Patterson remarked that
| he had no means of forcing reply at
| present"
Gen Otis declared that he did not meas
ure the capacity of the Filipino peoole for
| self-gOvernment by the capacity Of the
| people of the United States and character
ized unfair the effort of Senator Patter-
son to get him to fix the standard by
| comparison with other people
| Gen. Otis replying to Senator Dubois,
said that the introduction of Chinese coolio
labor in the Philippines would be unwise.
| japanese labor. he thought. would be the
most acceptable. because they affiliate
| readily with the FilipinoS
Speeches of Senators.
A Que estion by Senator Beverdge regard
| ing the effect on the Filipinos of literature
| sent from the United States precipitated a
| lively discussion. Gen. Otis said that when
Mabini was brought in he had pile OF
New York papers with him which had an
| tagonized the sovereignty of the United
States in the Philippines.
did he have any Of Senator Hoar's
speeches." inquired Senator Patterson.
| "Oh, yes. Those speeches were all over
| the islands, replied the witness
Senator Allison, who was in the chair.
| said he would exclude any alluston to SEN
| atOrS' speeches. Senator Patterson Inter-
| jected the remark that senators should not
be attacked from masked batteries.
| Il asked the extent to which it gave aid
to the insurrectiOn," said Senator Ber-
when the senator from Indiana" re-
| torted Senator Patterson, 'propounded that
| question II ihFoiEeu every SENATOR WIN Is
| standing by what he believes to be simple
justice to the Fiipinos. l do not propose
| to be assailed from behind a masked bat
| terry"
Senator Allison thought that where
| senator's name was involved it gave him
! the right to come before the committee and
| defend himself, and such references should
| be excluded
| Senator Carmack. with much earnestness,
said he wanted to take his part of the re-
| sponsibility for saying that the war In the
Philippines is utterly and absolutely In
| famous and criminal If any proof can be
made that am melting Filipinos by such
| speeches." said he, Il want il done.
| After some further discussion Senator
| Beveridge disclaimed any intention to re-
fleet on any senator, and withdrew his
question
| Gen. Otis concluded his testimony by
submitting some comments on the memo
| rial Of The Manila chamber Of commerce.
The committee then adjourned