The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-11
INSURGENTS SEEKING PEACE.
AGUINALDO'S PARTIsANs SAID To
BE IN FAVOR OF 1T.


Philippine Commission Is Preparing
Constitution for the Island OF
NeGros-Gunboats Drove Rebels
Out of the Country Around CaIum-
pit-Mascarado Gave His Soldiers
Wine, but Their Attack on San
Fernando Failed.
Manila, May 10.-Reports received from
the insurgent line. which, however, have
not been confirmed, say that a meeting of
the Filipino Congress has been held at
San Isidro
There was no quorum present, but in
spite of this fact some business was trans
acted.
The reports add that although those who
attended were partisans of Aguinaldo, a
strong desire for peace was expressed.
Maj Gen Macarthur will probably re-
main at San Fernando until fresh troops
can be forwarded to him from this city
to replace some of the volunteers who have
become exhausted from the long cam
paign.
Filipino riflemen to the number of 5000
are entrenched on three sides of Bacolor,
The Americans however, are fully able to
hold the city, if Mondays attack was
specimen of the enemy's fighting ability.
Government for NegrOs.
The United States Philippine commits
sion has been considering a provincial con-
stitution for the island Of Negros which
was framed by Col. Smith and leading
natives 1t is largely modelled after the
constitution of California.
bao
mission will probably recommend a uni
form government for all the provinces.
| This constitution, 1t is intended, will give
the natives self-government, cooperating
| with the military regime.
Work upon the constitution has been
| apportioned to the several members of the
| Philippine commission. The report of
Prof. Schurman will give special atten-
tion to national, provincial and municipal
! government: Col. Charles DENLY will
consider the organization of courts and
| Prof. D. S. Worcester will investigate
| tribal, physical and commercial features
of the island. All the members of the
commission are consulting with resident
experts.
Gunboats Cleared Columpit.
The army ''tin clad" gunboats Laguna
| de Bay and Cavedonga, under command
of Capt. Grant, steamed up the Rio Grande
to Calumpit to-day, clearing the entire
| country of rebels from the bay upward
| When the vessel reached Macabebe
about a thousand of the inhabitants of
the place assembled on the banks of the
| river cheering the expedition Justify
Capt. Grant was given an ovation when
he went ashore.
Many of the Macabebes expressed them
selves as being anxious to enter the
American service far the campaign
against Tagals.
The United States transports Puebla and
Pennsylvania sailed for home to-day by
way of Nagasaki. The transports Charles
Nelson and Cleveland will leave on Thurs
day and Friday.
Attack on San Fernando.
The Filipino General Mascarado's army,
inspired by wine taken from the store
houses of Bacolor. and by the generals
oratory on Monday evening, attacked San
Fernando. There was tremendous yelling
and a great expenditure of cartridges by
the rebels, but very little result.
Gen. Mascarado holds the outskirts of
Bacolor, west of the railroad. In front
of his positions are the Kansas and Mon
tana regiments, which occupy trenches
that the Filipinos built in anticipation Of
an attack from the direction of the sea,
During Monday afternoon Gen. Masca-
RADIO. with a large retlQG OF OT0cerS, rode
along the lines, frequently stopping to ha-
rangue his warriors AT dusk a detach-
ment of rebels rushed toward the outposts
of the Montana regiment, but were met by
a hot fire from the Montana regiments
line.
The insurgents, from treaches nearly
three miles long, responded After an
hours firing, during which one private
soldier of the Montana regiment was
wounded, the Insurgents subsided, al
though they kept up a scattering fire
throughout the night.
Mascarado Gave Them Wine.
Prisoners who were brought into Ameri-
can lines said that Gen Mascarado dis
tributed barrels of wine among his sol
diers telling them that he expected them
to capture the city of San Fernando The
trenches undoubtedly saved the Americans
from heavy losses, bullets falling thick
about them during the engagement
Gen. Luna is massing his army east Of
the railway, bringing up troops by train
loads in sight of the American lines.
The country between San Fernando and
Calumpit is filling up with natives, who
profess great friendship toward the Ameri-
cans, but who are suspected by many OF
sympathy with the insurrection.
a Filipino connected with the American
hospital corps was killed, 1t IS supposed
by Amigos.