The age-herald., 1899-09-20
THE INSURGENTS
 REQUEST FARLEY Otis Cables That Rebels Arc DeSiFOuS
 Of a Conference. AMERICAN GENERAL AGREES Military Operations Hill Not ba Restrain
 ed in the Least. SECRETARY ROOT IS SKEPTlCAL He Thinks That the Proposed Meeting Will Amount to Little-Aguinal- dos Name Not Mentioned in the Message
AMERICAN GENERAL AGREES
SECRETARY ROOT IS SKEPTlCAL

Washington, September 19.-Secretary Root today received a cablegram from General Otis that seems to indicate weak ening on the part of the insurgents in Lu- zon. It contained a proffer to deliver the American prisoners who have been for so many months in the hands of the insur- gents, and also sought permission to par ley with General Otis.
 This cablegram was at once taken by Secretary Root over to the cabinet meet ing and formed the main topic of discus sion at the beginning of the session. How ever, upon reading the message carefully its apparent importance seemed to dimin- fsh. Secretary Root himself did not re- gard the matter as of importance at this time. He recalled frequent efforts on the part of the insurgents in the past to gain time at critical moments by opening nego tiations, ostensibly with the object of mak- ing peace. and he was not sure but this last offer was something of the kind
 No Advantage to Rebels
 The secretary was of the opinion that it would fail to afford the insurgents any ad- vantage. General Otis would receive any messenger and listen to him and make swer to his proposals, but this would not restrain the military operations in the slightest degree and the American arms would lose no ground, no matter how the negotiations turned out There is a possi- bility also that the insurgents may have become disheartened at the renewed and intense activity in the direction of rein forcing General Otis and concluded in view of the great force gathering to open the campaign in the dry season that further resistance would be useless.
 It Is pointed out as a noticeable fact that Aguinaldo's name does not appear in Gen eral Otis dispatch, and though this may not be of great significance, still among some of the army officers it is surmised that there are serious dissensions among the insurgents, and that perhaps some of the discordant elements are acting on their own responsibility. The text of the dis patch follows:
 "MacArthur reports from Angeles
 visit of two insurgent officers with re-
 quest for permission to send into our
 lines American prisoners and to send
 to Manila prominent insurgent officers
 for conference. The requested interview
 granted, and insurgent officers at An
 geles returned north this morning with
 information"
 Lieutenant GiImore's Capture
 The capture of Lieutenant Gilmore and his party was one of the most stirring in- cidents of the instruction. It occurred while the cruiser Yorktown was making survey of the western coast of Luzon with a view to locating some of the detached Spanish garrisons, which had been long cut off from the populace centers.
 Lieutenant Gilmore Chief Quartermaster William Walton, Sailmaker's Mate Paul Vandoit, CoXswain John Ellsworth Ap- prentice Ghird-class) Albert Peterson, Laudsman SIveIo Brisolez, Landsman Lyman Paul Edwards and Landsman Fred Anderson are prisoners in the hands of the insurgents.
 Captain Charles M. Rockefeller, of the Nineteenth infantry, is also supposed to be a prisoner with the insurgents. He disap- peared last April, and no trace of him has bean dscoyered