Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-25
PEACE IS At HAND.
Representatives Of Aguinaldo to
Meet Gen. Otis To-Day.
REBELS READY FOR THE BEST TERMS
The Filipino Army Completely Demoraiized
and Rapidly Dissolving -Aguinaido
Blaming Himself for His Coun-
try's Miserable Condition.

Washington, May 19.-War depart
ment officials are firmly convinced that
the end of the nsurrection in the Phll-
ippines is at hand and the representa-
tives of the insurgent cabinet ana
Aguinaldo, who are to meet Gen otls
to-day, will succumb to the inevitable
and surrender. Their forces, 1t Is sald
at the department are evidently so de-
moralized by the persistent advance OF
the Americans that they are ready 10
accept peace on the best terms they
can obtain. Driven northward to the
foothills of the mountainsas they have
BEEN their fleeing and scattering forces,
disintegrated and disheartened, no
longer can be made to face our Veto
rious advance
Less than a week ago Gen. Luna was
reported north of San Fernando, where
Gen. MacArthur's troops are conceh-
trated, and in the neighborhood OF
Bacolor, with about 1900 rebels. Yes
terday Gen. Otis reported that the rem
nant of this force, about LOW men,
have withdrawn to Tarlae, over 20
miles south Of San Fernando. II IS
probable that the remainder OF TINS
force moved east and joined the main
body Of the insurgents, which abah-
doned San lsidro and fled northward
to the point from which Aguinaldo is
now sending his commissioners to sue
for peace.
II this is rusc to gain time, when
none of the officials at the war depart
ment believe il will avail them moth
ing. as the Americans viii utilize the
period during thcnegoliation>in recon
noitering the country ahead of them
preparatory 10 the resumption Of hos
tilities the minute the negotiations
fail. The dispatch Of two battalohs
of the Twcnty-third infantry Wednes-
day to loo, the principal town IN the
Sulu archipelago, is the fourth military
expedtion detached from the main
body of our troops The Sulu archl-
pelago is group of small islands, eX-
tending in crescent like the Alcutlan
islands, south of the Philippines.
There are no insurgents, MS FAR Us
known, in the Sulu group The popu-
lation Of the islands consists of aborig-
ines, Chinese traders and negroes.
1t is not likely that Gen. Otis will
permit himself TO be deceived by the
overtures Of the insurgents, or that he
will give consideration to any PROPOSE
ton to which the present commission
may submit that are not sincere and
final beyond question. 1t is not clear
TO the officials here what concessions
Aguinaldo expects to receive, inaSmuch
as Gen. Otis, with the full approval of
the president and his cabinet, has re-
peatedly declared that he will consider
nothing but the unconditional sur
render of the insurgents as n ncces-
sary preliminary to any negotiations
for cessation of hostilitics. II Is
possible that the willy insurgcnt
leader believes that he may make
terms for the special benefit of
himself and his cabinet and II is even
possible that he has an idea that the
United States may be willing to rcim-
burse him literally for the surrender of
his army, It is suggested that Agul-
naldo is merely looking out for his own
interests in this matter, now that the
Filipino cause is lost, and will demand
safe conduct out Of the Philippine is
lands for himself and few of his
chosen friends, together with sufficient
money to enable them to live in exile
for reasonable period.
FILIPINO REBELS DEMoRAllzED,
Manila, May TO- Two Spanish prison
ers who have just arrived here from
Nueva Ecka, say Aguinaldo has lost
prestige with the rebel army, and tn,
army is described as being completely
iemoralzcd, short of food, suffering
from disease and afraid Of the Ameri
cans and rapidly dissolving into bands
of pillagers The prisoners add thai
Gems, pinar and Luna are the only in
Auental Filipinos who are continuing
resistance to the Americans, Aguin
aldo's personal retinue was relieved o
its baggage and money while on thu
way from San lsidro to Cebanatan b,
marauders Buencamino, prominen
Filipino leader, who was friendly t.
Spain and joined in the compromis'
arrangement whereby the Spaniard'
hoped to conciliate the rebel leaders
without sacrificing too much, is re-
ported as saying Aguinaldo sits indoor
crying, blames himself for the miser
able condition of the country and |
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