The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-20
OTIS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
He Continues His Testimony as to Conditions
lin the Philippines.
(Bv lie Associated Pressl

(By the Associated Press.
Washington, March 19-General Otis
continued his testimony before the Sen
ate Philippines Committee. General Otis
said that Agunaldo had demanded of Gen
eral Merritt the right to occupy the pal
ace and to make appointments in the civil
government which caused General Merritt
to cable Washington for instructions. The
reply was that there must be no dual oc-
cupation of Manila
Gneeral Otis then detailed the circum-
stances attending the capture of Iloilo.
Aguinaldo, he said, was overjoyed when
he learned that the detachment had been
sent out because he (Aguinaldo) declared
that the first shot would be fired at Iloilo
which would bring on war between the
United States and the insurgent forces.
General Otis said he had cabled Wash
ington saying that the taking of Iloilo
meant war in the islands and had re-
ceived the response to defer action.
General Otis referring to his proclama-
tion said he expressly omitted therefrom
the word sovereignty because the Fill
pinos attached to it the meaning which
the word conveyed to them while under
the domination of Spain. Senator Car
mack called his attention to the differ
ences between language used by the Pres
ident in his instructions and that con-
tanned il his (OtisD proclamation and
asked why he had also omitted the words
control, government, lawful rule,
authority must remain supreme.
I'VE were at that time fighting hard
for peace" replied General Otis. when
these instructions of the President were
received he said lie was somewhat sur
prised He said he told Admiral Dewey
that he did not think the President un-
derstood the situation, owing to the great
distance of the islands from Washington
and that under the conditions then pre-
vaiiing he would be perfectly justified in
making certain amendments. He said he
had the advice of leading Filipinos who
told him that the words referred to might
be used by Mabini to excite the people
mo man ever worked harder in the
interests of peace than L. said the Gen.
cral. But if the United States troops
had attacked the Filipinos and driven
them out of the city when they first got
there it would have been much better.
They got very "coclly" after while ana
thought they could sweep us into the
bay"
General Otis admitted, in reply to an
inquiry from Senator McCom2s that the
act of Congress limiting the service OF the
volunteer troops until July, 1901, their re-
turn to the United States and the Tor
warding of others to take their places
greatly hampered him in the pacifcatlon
of the islands.
Senator Patterson asked General Otis
if the idea of the Filipino people regard
ing the hopes and aspirations for indie
pendence was mistaken one.
mo" said General otis. "Aguinaldo
had his ambitions. Speaking very de-
liberately he said, And he was sent over
from Hong Kong for the purpose OF drlv-
ing the Spaniards out and then attacking
the Americans, l suppose. We have the
papers of the original junta." He said
he thought Aguinaldo was performing a
double part at that time.
Until the time of the ratification of
the treaty was not the Filipino army
there for the purpose of asserting and
maintaining the independence of that
island by armed force, if necessary"
asked Senator Patterson.
General Otis-'They asserted that they
wanted to drive the SDaniards out"
General Otis remarked he had an idea
formed some time previous to the break
ing out of hostilities that the insurgents
intended to drive the Americans out il
they could. The Filipino army, he de-
clared, was there to overawe the people
in Northern Luzon and elsewhere.
Admitting" said Senator Patterson,
that they were there to overawe the
people. did you have any doubt in your
mind that the hope Of the Filipino army
was independence"
"They never intended to secure indie
pendence, but to set UP a government
under Aguinaldo" was the response.
WAS the Filipino army there for the
purpose of plunder?" asked Senator Pat
terson.
Yes, and l think they were going to
try to drive the Americans into the sea-
General Otis said in money matters,
he believed Aguinaldo strictly honest
and then, bringing his fist down on the
table and speaking with great emphasis,
said
I'm duplicity he has few equals"
Asked by Senator McComas about the
assassination of General Luna, General
Otis said there was no doubt this was
Aguinaldo's act.