The San Francisco call., 1899-05-19

= action of Aguinaldo is due in 4
= large measure to the fact that 4
= his people have heard of the +
= good intentions of the United 4
+ States and have at last become =
= convinced that this Government
= means to treat them with justice. =
= 1 believe the end is very near" =
NEW YORK, May 1S.-The Herald's
Washington correspondent sends the
following: Satisfied that favorable re-
suits will follow the meeting of the
Filipino emissaries with the American
Commission the authorities are specu-
lating upon the terms Aguinaldo's
agents will ask. If it be for a cessation
of hostilities it will be Immediately
answered in the negative, and General
Otis will reply further that uncondi-
tional surrender must preCede any con-
cessions made by the Americans. What
Is regarded as more probable is that
an effort will be made to obtain special
terms for AguinaldO and his immediate
chiefs.
They will not be granted" said an
official with whom l talked. tAguin-
aldo and his chiefs will be treated like
other FilipinOs. They will meet the
same consideration that Will be given
the ordinary Filipinos, and no more.
If Aguinaldo is dissatisfied he will be
eXiled and not allowed to return to the
islands until he is willing to obey the
laws as other natives will do"
Officials of the War Department have
no idea that the dispatch of the new
commission to Manila by Agunaldo is
for the purpose of gaining time. When
Colonel Arguelles first came to Manila
to propose peace the American forces
continued their operations, and while
there may be no active advance during
the coming negotiations scouting par
ties now out will reconnoiter the coun-
try in advance of Macarthur and Law
ton, in order that they may continue
their advance.
The flight of the rebels to Tarlac eff
feCtually prevents their capture by the
closing in Of LaWton's and MacArthur's
columns, Tarlac being twenty-five
miles to the northwest of San Isidro
where LaWton has established his head
quarters, and about thirty-flve miles to
the northward of San Fernando, where
General MacArthur's column is en-
trenched. But while it has been found
impossible to bottle up the insurgent
army, their reduction from 5000 to $500
men shows the number Of desertions
which have occurred, due to the effect
of the irresistible advance of the Am
erican troops. 1t is expected that
AguinaldO, concerning whose where
abouts the first definite information
was received from General Otis to-day,
will move with the men under his i'm
mediate command and effect a junction
with the force at Tarlac. to be ready
for the result of the conference 70 take
place at Manila tomorrow.
General Otis was notified to-day not
to send home any of the tents with
which the volunteer troops have been
equipped. They will be retained FOR
the regulars, who are to relieve the
volunteers. The action of the depart
ment is in anticipation Of the early
homecoming of the volunteers. all of
whom will be at San Francisco, it is
expected, within two months from the
time the first troops leave.
There is no absolute information at
the War Department concerning the
.present strength of the American forces
under Macarthur, Lawton and Kobbe
which have been operating against the
insurgents north of Manila. The num-
Der Of men If each organization were up
to its maximum strength would be
$500. but it is doubtful if their strength
totals 1000 men. MacArthurs troops.
except one regiment, are volunteers.
All of Kobbe's men are regulars. re-
Gently arrived. Three Of the six regi-
ments under Lawton are also regulars
There is one radical difference between
the volunteer ana regular organization.
Losses in the former are permanent,
while the gaps in the ranks of the reg
ulars are being constantly filled by new
recruits. 1t is estimated that MacAr-
thur now has about $500 men for ac-
tive service; Lawton about 5000 and
Kobbe 1900
General Otis cabled the War Depart
ment to-day as follows:
MANILA, May 1S-Adjutaht Cen
eral Washington: Representatives of the
insurgent Cabinet and of Agunaldo, who
is in the mountains twelve miles north
of San Isidro, which was abandoned on
the 18th inst, will send a commission to-
morrow to seek terms of peace.
The majority of the force confronting
Macarthur at San Fernando has retired
to Tarlac, tearing up two miles of rail-
way. This force has decreased to about
Scouting parties and detachments are
moving to-day in various directions.
Kobbe is on the Rio Grande. A great ma
iority of the inhabitants of the provinces
over which the troops have moved are
anxious for peace, and are supported by
members of the insurgent Cabinet. The
aspect of affairs at present is favorable.
OTIS.