The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-25
MR.. SCHURMAN CONFIDENT
THE COMMISSIONS PROPOSITIONS
WILL BE ACCEPTED.
No Mention of Friction mt Manila-Ad-
mirai Dewey's Hcalth-Hfs Talk with
a Correspondent at Hong-kong.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


versy between General Otis and the Philip
pine peace commission over the policy that
should be pursued in dealing with the
Aguinaldo insurgents, the President is
pected to take sides with the commission.
General Otis is consistent and is only fol-
lowing course he has pursued from the
first. Conditions have changed since he re-
ceived his instructions from Washington
originally, but Ii cannot be expected of him
that he should change. too, until he has
been personally advised from the seat of
government In the absence of such instruc-
tions he can hardly fall in with the ideas and
theories advanced by Professor Schurman
and his associates for the adoption of plan
directly. contrary TO his own position long
held.
When General Otis began his campaign
mistaken idea prevailed as to the character
and magnitude of the rebellion. 1t was
garded as little more than big riot, which
could be put down by show of military
force, and which should not be dignified by
the name of rebellion or insurrection. The
record of fighting in Luzon during the past
four or five months has disillusionized the
administration and the public as to the sg-
nificance and extent of the native uprising,
and 1t is believed that the Presidents peace
commissioners now see no impropriety or
loss of dignity in treating with Aguinaldo
and his ENJOYS as persons entitled 10 be
heard in their own behalf and as consti-
tuting powerful element of the Philippines
population. General Otis has done his duty
and followed instructions, but he has gone
against something more formidable than a
mob. He may not wish to acknowledge it.
but the fact seems plain from the Washing
| ton point of view. The general is quoted as
| being unyielding in his belief that the policy
that should be pursued Is one of force, and
| that if he is left free he will apply the
| mailed hand with crushingly. successful re-
suit very soon. Inasmuch the wet season
has set In and he has withdrawn his forces
| from much of the conquered territory and
concentrated near Manila, it is difficult TO
| understand how he is going to carry an
aggressive campaign such as he has out
| lined In a general way
The Schurman view that this is a good
| time to unbend a little and treat with native
| leaders who have been able to maintain a
| formidable. although Elusive, army i'm the
| field for months. and which, previous to
| that time had succeeded in fighting the
| Spanish to standstill, finds many warm
supporters among high officials who on
mate terms with the President.
An Associated Press dispatch says: Fol
| lowing rule established when the Philip
pine commission first landed at Manila, Sec
| retary Hay declines to make public the re-
| port which came by cable last night, from
| President Schurman, on the progress of the
negotiations with the Filipinos. 1t is posi-
| lively asserted, however, by other persons
who have seen the report. and particularly
| by certain army officers. that President
| Schurman makes no reference TO any fric-
| ton between the civilian members of the
| American commission and General Otis
| who, since Admiral Dewey's departure from
/ Manila, is the sole representative on
| the commission Of the military and naval
elements. The general tone of President
| Schurman's message is optimistic, indicat-
| ing belief that the Filipino commissioners
| will succeed in prevailing upon their people
to accept the terms held out I'm the Presi-
dents instructions touching the form of
| government for the islands.
Later reports from Manila show that the
American military authorities have not
| ceased their operations against the insurg-
| ents because of any negotiations that the
| civilian members of the commission may be
| conducting with the insurgent representa-
| tives. The impression is gathered from the
statements of high officials here that this
attitude of the military officers is thorough
| ly approved by the War Department. where
| it is fully expected that the campaign will
| be pushed by General Otis, regardless of
season or condition, all through the summer,
/ IL need be, unless by submission to the
| terms described. the insurgents terminate
| hostilties There is no disposition at the
| War Department TO countenance an armis-
| tice that might only give fresh strength and
| life TO the insurrection. and this is to be
kept in view regardless of any peace ne
|, gotiations that may be in progress, al
| though. of course, there is no intention of
| embarrassing these. save where it is abso-
| lutely essential TO the success of the mill
| tary operations"