Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-23
FILIPINO PEACE PROPOSALS
Have Not Had The Effect Of Stopping
American Movements,

AMERICAN M0V6lneutS,
THE DRAFT OF A FORM OF Gov
ERNNlENT SUBMITTED TO THE
FILIPINO ENvOYS-AN ARMS
TICE REFUSED - THE PROPO-
SITIoN SUBMITTED BY THE
AMERICAN COMMISSION PRO-
VIDES FOR A GOVERNOR GEN
ERAL APPOINTED BY THE
PRESIDENT AND A CABINET
CHOSEN BY THE GOVERNOR
GENERAL = THE FILIPINO
ARMY DEMORALIZED AND
SHORT OF ARMS AND SUPPLIES
Manila, May 22.-Prof. Schurman,
head OF the United States Philippine
commission, has submitted the follow
ing written proposition to the Fill
pinos:
While the final decision as to the
form of government is in the hands of
Congress, the President, under his
military powers pending the action Of
Congress, stands ready to offer the
following form of, government:
"A governor general to be appointed
by the President; a cabinet to be ap-
pointed by the governor general; all
the judges to be appointed by the Pres
ident; the heads of departments and
judges to be either Americans or
Filipinos, or both and also a general
advisory council, its members to be
chosen by the people by form Of
suffrage to be hereafter carefully de-
termined upon.
"The President earnestly desires that
bloodShed cease and that the people
of the Philippines at an early date, en-
joy the largest measure of self-govern-
der"
The United States commission pre-
pared the scheme and the President
cabled his approval of the form of the
document
The Filipinos have made no definite
proposition, except for a cessation OF
hostlities until they can present the
question of peace to the people Prof.
Schurman told the Filipinos they had
no means of gathering the people 20
gether, as the Americans control most
of the ports. He also reminded them
that a liberal form of government was
offered them and pointed out that it
was better than the conditions exist
ing under Spanish Iule.
Gozaga, president of the Filipino
commission, replied that nothing could
be worse than Spanish rule and ad
mitted that the form of government
proposed was liberal.
The civilian members of the Filipino
commission have declined to cooperate
with the other members of that COM
mission, as the former consider Agui-
naldo's latest demand to be preposter-
GUS, after Maj. General Otis's refusal
of an armistice, referring to his wish
for time in order to consult the Fill
pino congress.
After a conference tomorrow with
the United States commissioners the
Filipino commissioners will lunch with
Prof. Schurman and will afterward
visit the vessels composing the Ameri-
can feet.
In spite of the presence of the
Filipino commissioners in Manila. the
military operations continue with I'M
abated vigor.
The visitors were apparently ignor-
ant of the true condition of affairs
here. Upon their arrival they were
inundated with invitations, covering
both day and night, and expressed sur
prise at the condition of affairs within
our lines. They have been led to be-
lieve that everything was chaotic, and
are delighted at the reception accorded
them.
Reports received from persons who
have arrived from the interior show
that no troops are left in the northern
provinces. They were all drafted
south after the outbreak of the war.
The villages on the west coast are al
most deserted and the Ilocanoes es-
pecially are DESTROYS of joining the
Americans, if only for the purpose of
crushing the Tagalos. Many natives
say that if the Americans had not ar
rived civil war would necessarily have
ensued, owing to the friction between
the Tagalos and the inhabitants of
other provinces.
1t is added the only Filipino troops
now left are seven thousand men un-
der Gen. Luna at Tarlac, and about
1000 under Gen. Pho Del Pillar. Even
these are demoralized and short of
arms and supplies. Many of their
rifles are disabled and the Filipinos are
unable TO repair them, owing TO the
lack of mechanics and materials for so
doing
A ooasting steamer which arrived re-
ports that the Spanish garrison at
Zamboango, Island of Mindanao, is
held by the rebels in much the same
manner as the Americans held them