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hands by the Providence of God." Abominable hypocrisy! Outrageous sacrilege!! From the beginning of the world until now, every national crime has been committed in the name of God.

But Captain Bevans must be allowed to proceed with his argument.

Captain Bevans -"When Aguinaldo

learned that he would not be allowed to do exactly as he wished, he became hostile. His purpose was to take Manila, loot the European portion of the city and set up a government of his own, with himself as military dictator. To this program the Americans objected. The Filipino soldiers became abusive, and called the Americans cowards and tried by all means possible to provoke a fight. At last, on the night of February 4th, it was determined that a crisis should be brought about. The United States Senate had the Paris treaty under advisement, and Agoncillo cabled Aguinaldo to attack before the treaty was ratified. A Filipino lieutenant advanced toward the American lines. When ordered to halt he refused to stop. Private Grayson of Nebraska shot him and the whole Filipino

The

army attacked the Americans at once. Filipinos had tried, by every means possible, to draw the American fire at other times. In my opinion the Filipino officer went to his death, at Aguinaldo's command, in order to force the Americans to fire. When attacked the Americans could do nothing but defend themselves. Since that

time the war has been one of defence by the Americans. They took the field in order to crush a foe that was trying to destroy them."

Private Smith-"Captain Bevans has presented the stereotyped explanations of the origin of hostilities given by the imperialists, but the explanations do not explain owing to the fact that they lack the very essential element of truth."

Captain Bevans-"Do you deny that I have stated the facts?"

Private Smith-"Certainly, and I shall prove that you have not stated the facts. The truth you tell is made false by not giving all the truth."

Chairman-"Let us have all the truth then; I always want to know both sides of a

ぶ

McKinley: Mark, Aguinaldo won't be bought.

Hanna: Buy the privates. That would be cheaper than fighting. McKinley: They won't be bought.

Hanna: That's proof that they are incapable of self-government.

case before I make up my mind as to which side is in the right."

Private Smith-"It was the purpose of the administration from the start to 'seize' territory in the Philippines. That purpose

is shown by the cablegram to Admiral Dewey: If we took but one island, which is the best to seize upon?' (Senate Doc. 62; p. 365.) There is not much talk of the 'Providence of God,' 'manifest destiny' or the 'white man's burden' in that. It is not common for a nation to 'seize upon' its own territory. It saw no 'obligation to the nations of the world' then. The 'glory of the flag' and 'national honor were not on tap at that moment. 'Canned liberty' was not necessary for more than one of the islands and the administration wanted advice as to which one it should 'seize upon.' Later it could raise its pious eyes to heaven and charge the whole matter up to the 'Providence of God.'

"Merritt said Dewey 'naturally selected the largest and most populous island.' (Senate Doc. 62; p. 366.)

"Later it was decided to 'seize upon' the

whole group, and Spain was paid $20,000,ooo for a quitclaim deed to a territory of which she did not control fifteen square miles. The forces of the Philippine republic were in control and the problem of the administration was how to dispossess them.

"Aguinaldo had driven the Spaniards into Manila; had done all the hard fighting and the long marching, and was shoved aside while the Americans fought an opera bouffe battle and received the surrender of the city, according to the programme arranged between the Americans and the Spaniards by the Belgian consul. The refusal to allow the Filipinos recognition for their services was the first serious affront.

"General Merritt and Admiral Dewey were instructed to give Aguinaldo and the Filipino government no official recognition, and Merritt said he could treat Aguinaldo with no more regard than if the Filipino chief were a boy in the street.

"Aguinaldo was asked to withdraw his forces from Cavite and Manila on the ground that it would prevent friction between, the American and Filipino forces. He complied