The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-05-04

same policy, but he was repairing
bridges and strengthening the lines of
his force, which was stretched out with
about four mile front and within a
quarter of mile of the enemy.
The possibilities of peace were graft.
flying to great majority of the army,
who have regarded the war as an un-
pleasant duty that must be performed
according to American traditions.
Manila was cheerful over the pros
pect of return to normal life, though
there are skeptics who remark that a
truce would enable the insurgents 70
rest until the rainy season, upon which
they have been depending as an import.
ant aid.
The prisoners reported that there
were $4,000 refugees north of San Fer
nandlno. This was not impossible, CON
sidering the thickly populated region
which the Americans have cleared. 1t
seemed also that smallpox was spread
ing among them. The so-called Filipino
congress will meet at San Fernandino
today.
When Dean O. Worcester of the
United States Philippine commission,
who accompanies the Filipino emissaries
from Calumpit, said to Colonel Manuel
Arguelles that the Americans were un-
der no obligations to refrain from fight
ing, the Filipino officer replied:
''Would you fight while we are dis
Cussing terms of peace?"
Mr.. Worcester responded with the
suggestion that an amistice would give
the Filipino leaders time to escape.
"My God, where would we escape
to?" the Filipino exclaimed, referring
in this to the menacing hostile tribes
behind the Filipino lines.
Colonel Arguelles told the correspond
ent that he was much disappointed in
the results of his mission. He said also
that Aguinaldo expected Calumpit to be
p the cemetery of the American army.
Lieutenant Colonel Wallace of the
First Montana regiment, Major Adams
and Major Shields, who slept on Friday
night III General Luna's camp, where
they went to inform the Filipinos that
their ENJOYS would return in safety,
found the Filipino commander cordial,
the Filipino troops removing their hats
as the Americans passed. The Fill
pinos complained to them that the
Americans used explosive bullets, which
was not the fact. The American off
GERS retorted that the copper shells used
by the Filipinos were worse than eX-
plosive bullets. General Luna said he
regretted being obliged to kill Ameri-
cans, but that was his business.
General Wheaton entertained Colo
mel Arguelles and Lieutenant Jose Ber-
nal and provided them with horses to
return to their camp.
In the course of the conference Sat
urday Jacob O. Schurman, chairman of
the United States Philippine commits
sion, told Colonel Arguelles that If the
insurgents would now lay down their
arms he and his colleagues of the COM
mission would consult them regarding
the plan of government to be submitted
to President Mckinley. He said he
could not promise that all their sugges-
tions would be adopted, but he could as
sure them that there would be pre-.
sumption in favor of their suggestions,
adding that the commissioners would
be especially desrous of satisfying the
legitimate aspirations of the Filipinos.
When Colonel Arguelles protested
that unconditional surrender would be
humiliating Mr., Schurman replied:
"There would be no humiliation in
General Otis treating our brother Fill
pinos as General Grant treated our
brother Americans at Appomattox.
Mr.. Schurman said Sunday to the cor
respondent:
''I believe Colonel Arguelles is per-
sonally sincere and honest, though l
have no means Of ascertaining the SEN
timents and aims of the authorities be-
hind him The Filipino people, like
other Asiatic peoples, have no trust in
mere words without force behind them,
but with force L consider conciliatory
spirit of the utmost Importance.
~ believe that when peace has been
established, governing the Filipiuos
will not be difficult matter, provided
we show them flrmness, justice and
kindliness. At the present time they
distrust and dislike us, but these senti-
ments, which are perhaps not unnatural
will soon be dispelled by the effects Of
the good government we have prom.
Used TO establish here. IL viii be the
foremost duty Of American officials if