The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-06

Formally Admit Sovereignty Of the United
States Over the Islands.
President Mckinley Now Confident
the Rebellion Will Soon be
Brought to an End, the Com
mission Granting Concessions
Which 1t Is Believed Will be
Acceptable to the Insurgents.

Acceptable to the Insurgents.
CHICAGO, May GA special to the
Times Herald from Washington
says
Aguinaldo's representatives to the
American Philippine Commission nave
formally admitted the sovereignty OF
the United States over the Philippine
archipelago. From a member of the
Cabinet it is learned that this admis-
SIGN was made to President Schurmann
at a conference held by him with co o.
mel Arguelles and Lieutenant Bernal
several days ago. 1t was in reply to
direct question put to them by Mr..
Schurmann, and the character OF Inc
answer was no doubt as gratifying TO
the commission as it is to the Presi lent.
AS a result of a dissent by Nj.
Schurmann, it is the confident expecta-
ton of the President that the end of the
rebellion is close at hand. This result
will not be obtained, though. without
concessions, which have been recon-
mended by the commission, and which
by direction of the President will be
granted These concessions conteu-
plate giving to the Filfpinos form of
government modelled after that of the
United States.
The member of the Cabinet who gave
the above information said that the
commission had unanimously adopted
reccmme nGation, which was submitted
to the President in Mr.. Schurmann's
dispatch, providing three departments
for the new government of the archi-
pelago-first the executive department:
second, the legislative department, and
third, the judicial department.
The executive department, as recon-
mended by the commission, is to con-
sist of Governor General, who shall
have absolute power of any acts of the
Legislature and his Cabinet, formed of
leaders among the Filipinos and Amer
leans
The legislative department will be or
ganized as a result of granting suffrage
to Filipinos having proper qualifica-
tons The President will he empow-
cred to appoint the members of the jul
dietary, just as he will be empowered to
appoint the Governor General.
What the Cabinet officer regarded as
the best feature of the whole matter
proposition by the Filipinos. Further
more, it was learned that before the
submission Of this proposition to them
they had asserted that they did hot
represent General Luna, but that they
represented Aguinaldo.
1t is believed that the presentation of
the Commissions proposition was in
compliance with the request of the Fill
pinos, who desired to know what the
glittering promise made by the United
States really meant.
The first proposition made by them
to the Commission was that already re-
pcrted-for the adoption of an armis-
tice, during which time the Filipinos
proposed to call together the Congress,
and through that body arrange for
peace. The proposition NSs refused
without consideration.
1t was then admitted, the Cabinet of
fCers say, that the Filipino army was
too weak to stand against the American
force, which was greatly it's superior.
Aguinaldo, they declared, is not fight
ing for the honor of the army, and the
Filipino ENJOYS thought it humiliating
that they should be compelled to lay
down their arms without first under
standing what the United States pro-
posed to do with them. If the United
States persisted on overriding the Fill
pinos by force Colonel Argueles decfar-
ed that the latter would retreat to the
and would continue for years
a guerrilla warfare, which would be to
the great injury of the United States.
The communication from Mr.. Schur-
mann made deep impression upon the
Cabinet meeting, and upon the conclu-
sion of the meeting it was stated chat
the situation in Luzon, aside from its
feature, is most encoura ging.
In the instructions given Mr.. Schur-
mann and his colleagues, they have
been directed to act in a conciliatory
manner toward the insurgents, and it
is due to the mastery way in which
the commission has conducted its work
that the Administration believe it's sue
cess is due.
Mr.. Schurman did not indicate in his
whether Colonel Arguelles and
Lieutenant Bernal had returned
to Aguinaldo's headquarters, but it is
the understanding that Immediately
after the instructions sent to-day the
commission will communicate without
delay to the Filipino ENJOYS.
1t has been impressed upon the COM
mission that before the Filipinos are
granted peace they must first lay down
their arms. When they have taken
this action and returned to their homes
the form of government which has been
recommended by the commission will
be placed in operation. The commits
sion will no doubt make it plain to Col
onel Arguelles and Lieutenant Bernal
that the President cannot guarantee
that the form of government recon-
mended by the commission shall be con-
tinued. but the promise will be made
that a recommendation Of govern
ment of this character will be made to
Congress. and everything possible done
to secure its adoption.
This, in the opinion of Administra-
ton officials. should satisfy the Fill
pinos, and bring the peace which the
Administration as we'll as the Fill
pinos are SO anxious to secure.
While the Administration believes
from President Sch-rmanns cable that