Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-24
GRATIFYING MESSAGE.
President Pleased With News
From Manila.
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM sCHURMAN

No Differences of Any Consequence Be
tween Members of the L. :. Commits
sion-Filipinos said Personally They
Were PIeased-Ia Rebels Surrendered
WASHINGTON, May 24 - Secretary
Hay received from President Schurman
| Of the Philippine commission Il long
message giving the results of meetings
held with the native Filipino commits,
sion, sent by Aguiualdo to treat with
the Americans. The message was laid
before the president. He was very much
| gratltied at its contents, which were
said to be very encouragings for the
outlook that something definite may be
accomplished President Schurinan re-
ported that the native commissioners
will take back to their people the propo-
sitfon for form of government, etc.,
suggested by the American commits
SION.
1t was stated on the authority of a
gentleman who spent some time with
the president that contrary to reports
from Manila there were no differences
of any consequence between the mill
tlry and civilian members of the COM
mission.
MANILA, May 24.-The Filipino COM
missioners spent part of Tuesday at the
residence of the American commits
s1oners. They discussed every point of
the scheme of government and the
peace proclamation details, asking for
information as to what personal rights
would be guaranteed them. Colonel
Charles DENLY of the American COM
mission explained that they would be
the same as under the United States
constitution. The Filipinos also de-
sired information as to the school sys-
TEN to be established, and approved of
the American policy of the separation
of church and state. They chiefly OBJ
jected to the scheme OH the ground
that it gave them personal liberty,
which they know they would have, but
did not give them political liberty.
Finally, the Filipinos said they were
personally pleased with the plan, but
could not endorse it officially. During
the day the Filipino commissioners
called upon Major General Otis.
There was much comment here on the
outing the Filipinos were enjoying.
They were dressed in blue coats, scarlet
trousers and gold lace and drive about
the city revelling in the attention be-
slowed upon them, which wo evidently
exceedingly gratifying to them. They
We're the centers of continual levees at
Filipino houses, where they had been
entertained and had every opportunity
to advance the interests of the insur-
gents. Military sentiment disapproved
Of the Fllpinos being ionized by the
civilian element. General Otis, from
ante bellum experience and owing to
the Filipinos' fondness for discussion,
maintained the attitude he assumed
with the first commission. He had no
offer to make the Filipinos save that
they lay down their arms without
terms. The army believed that if we
intend to remain i'll the Philippine ISL
ands it would be cheaper III the long
run to whip the insurgents so thor
oughly that they will be glad of the op-
portunity to surrender rather than to
parley with them and make terms which
they might oOnstrue as a compromise.
The army was also of the opinion that
while the first course may cost more
men and money in the beginning than
the latter it will prove an effectual dam
per upon future insurrectlon, whereas.
if the war is ended by a compromise,
the professional revolutionists among
the TagalS may be encouraged to try
again i'll few years.
Prof. Schurnian, speaking of the COM
mission's 5 policy, said:
81 believe force was necessary, be-
cause they thought us weaklings and
towards, but believe also that concilia-
ton should accompany force. My en-
deavor has been, ever since came here,
to exercise conciliation.
The professor was most optimistic as
to the results of the negotiations and
believed the scheme of government pro-
posed by the United States commission
will ultimately be adopted.
Rostairo, q Filipino congressman,
wealthy resident of Manila and formerly
Aguinaldo's commissary general, accom-
panied by an insurgent captain, called
upon Major General Otis Tuesday and
announced that 1--WE desire to surrender
our persons and property into the hands.
of the Americans. The surrender was
by Chaplain Pierce of the
Fourteenth regiment, who knew Ros-
tario before the war. Rostairo CORE
sponded i'll cipher with General Luna,
so he had been closely watched by the
officials at Tarlac since the -insurTection
had been weakening. Rostairo only
by persuading General Luna to
send him on secret mission to Manila |
for the purpose of collecting funds. |
With the captain, ten men and their |
families Rostairo travelled at night |
through the swamps and mountains, |
passed the lines of both armies and en-
tered Manila Monday evening. He was |
liberated on parole.
According to the story told by Ros- |
tairo, General Luna is absolute dicta-
tor and Aguinaldo fears him. Every
Filipino leader, it was added, suspected |
the Others of treachery.
The recent meeting of the Filipino
congress was to secure a new cabinet |
and the question of peace was not form
ally considered us the members feared |
General Luna's displeasure. The Fill
pino government was unable to secure
q secretary Of the treasury. All those
who We're offered the portfolio declined
to accept it,
Major Bell, with two companies of
5he Fourth cavalry, had been recon-
i'll the direction of San Arita.
He found 100 Filipinos there and was
lr1ving them away when large rein-
forcements of rebels arrived and he was
obliged to withdraw with four men
wounded.
a raft carrying soldiers of the Four
eenth regiment was sunk at the PaSlg
ierry One man was drowned.