Connecticut western news., 1899-09-21
ASKS FOR CONFERENCE
Aguinaldo Sends Emissaries
 Into Our Lines.
TO RELEASE AMERICAN OAPTIvBs
Gilmore and His Men VIII He Ac- companied to Manila by FiIipinos Who VIII Talk With oti.-New Move Difficult to Explain.

Washington, Sept. 20. - Aguinaldo wants to reopen negotiations with Gen eral Otis, according to this dispatch, re- eeived by Adjutant General Corbin from the American commander in chief at Ma nila:
 "MacArthur reports from Angeles visit of two insurgent officers, with request for permission to send into our lines Ameri- can prisoners and to send to Manila prominent insurgent general officer for conference. The requested interview granted, and insurgent officers at Angeles return north this morning with informa- tion."
 While there is nothing to indicate whether the proposed conference is to deal with anything except the surrender of American prisoners, officials here hope it is the beginning of the end, and that the filipino emissary will bring some definite proposition for terminating the war. General Otis will accept nothing short of absolute surrender and submis- sion to American authority. and 1t Is doubted whether Aguinaldo Is ready to accept such terms at present.
 Since the former negotiations fell though it has been believed here that the end of the insurrection could only be look ed for after more long fighting. A propo- sition to reopen negotiations had not been looked for during the comparative inac- tivity enforced by the rainy season. It Is possible, however, that Agunialdo has learned through She insurgent junta at Hongkong of the preparations being made by the United States to send an overwhelming force to Manila and has come to realize the hopelessnsss of fur ther resistance.
 War Preparations VIII Go On.
 Whatever may be the proposals made by the insurgents, there will be no relax ation on the part of the war department of its purpose to send re-enforcements to Manila as rapidly as possible. The re- cruiting of volunteer regiments will be continued and the troops will be forward ed by transports as fast as the vessels are available If Aguinaldo is simply sparring for time, as Is thought likely, he will gain nothing by such tactics.
 General Otis cablegram formed lead ing theme for discussion at the cabinet meeting Three of the cabinet mem mbsrs agreed in expressing their opinioas after the meeting that too much significance should not be attached to Aguinaldo' 8 proposal. Secretary Root himself said that so many similar conferences in the past had come to naught that he doubted whether this one meant much toward the establishment of peace.
 It is not probable that Aguinaldo in- tends simply to propose an exchange of prisoners, for it has not been the policy of the American commanders to keep many Filipino prisoners. The natives who have been captured have been de- prived of their arms and have generally been liberated unless there was a special reason for keeping them in restraint. If Aguinaido proposes to release the Amer ican prisoners held by him his action would be an indication of his apprecia- tion of the American treatment of Fili- pino prisoners.
 It is hoped here that Aguinaldo intends to release all the Americans held by him, including Lieutenant Gilmore of the Yorktown and the sailors captured with him, as well as Captain Rockefeller, who was captured beyond the American lines, and half dozen or more American sol diers who are missing and are supposed to have been taken prisoners.
 The war department has approved the action of Otis in refusing to allow Span ish ships to go to ports controlled by the insurgents to take away Spanish prison CTS These ships, however, will be al- lowed to proceed to such ports under the escort of vessels of the United States. The transfer of the Spanish prisoners to the ships will be under the direction of United States officers. The war depart ment will allow no communication be- tween Aguinaldo and his agents and the Spaniards who may go to take away the Spanish prisoners