The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-07
EXPECT A SPEEDY COLLAPSE.
OFFICIALS THINK INSURGENTS
WILL SOON GIVE IN.

1t Is Believed That the FiIipInos
VIII BE Defeated within "A Few
Dnys-Mnny OF Them Are simply
Ambitious for Lucrative Offices.
Rebels Are Throwing Away Their
Arms-AmericHns Are Now Moving
ON Their Last Stronghold.
Washington, May 6.-The officials of the
state and war departments are looking for
speedy collapse of the insurrection An the
Philippines.
Not only Is this expectation based on the
private advices that have come from the
Philippine commission as to the negotia-
tlons that have been going on between that
body and the insurgent representatives, but
also upon the successful development OF
MacArthur's and Lawtons campaign.
So far as the commissions reports ara
concerned they indicate that the insur-
gents have at last recognized the inevitable
breakdown of their struggle and are sim-
ply striving, by protracting the resistance
TO secure the most liberal terms possible
In the erection of a government in tho
Philippines.
They have not in any diplomatic sense
acknowledged the sovereignty of the Unit
ed States. but have recognized the physl-
] cal domination of our military forces, and
while they have talked more or less of in-
dependence, even at the last moment with
out doubt they win accept readily any
proposition looking to a protectorate.
The Presidents instructions, however,
are clear on this point, and the commission
understands that II Is 20 take no action in
a way of making promises that will de-
| prlve Congress of free hand in disposina
| of the future of the Philippines.
FIIIpinOs Want Omces.
1t is believed that an anlmating purpose
in the Filipino representation is to make
sure that whatever form of government is
adopted will afford lucrative and inhuen-
tal places for the many ambitious Phillip
pine leaders. The American sees nothing
in this aspiration irreconcilable with
firm government over the islands by the
United States, the opportunity for thc
Fllipinos being found in a liberal provis-
lon for municipal and even provincial ma
| tive government In the islands.
United states officials properly distribute
! ed throughout the islands In supervisory
| capacities charged to interfere as little
as possible with local affairs as long as
they are conducted without abuses and
few garrisons of troops at strategic
points supported by naval contingent, IL
Is thought by officials here, may prove to
be all that is necessary for the effective
maintenance OF the United States sover-
eighty over the islands, while meeting the
native aspirations Of home rule.
The Philippine commission has been In-
structed ON these points and President
schurman especially Is sangulne Of tho
! commissions 3 ability to bring about the ac-
ceptance OF these conditions by the insur-
gents.
VIII Soon De Defeated.
Aside from the encouragement conveyed
| by the progress of the peace negotiations.
the officials find a bright promise In the
rapid development OF the military CAM
| paign.
The press reports this morning announc-
| ing that Lawton Is meeting with slight re-.
| sistance In his movement northward, that
the insurgents are fleeing before him, and
mole important still, that they are casts
ing away their arms, are facts tending 20
| indicate the approach of the end
The throwing away of arms is claimed
| by the naval officers to be the result OF
the navys effort to cut the supply of in
|
Without ammunition there would be no
inducement to carry along their weapons.
The army officers here say that II ID
either lack of ammunition or breaking
down of their courage that has led the
Filipinos to abandon their rifles.
Moving northward from Balinag, where
he is reported this morning, Lawton is APP
| parently converging his forces upon
| Mount Arayat, a distance OF about sixteen
miles the point at the bend of the Rio
| Grande, where Otis predicted the insur-
gents would make their last stand.
With Macarthur moving northward
from San Fernando, the two columns
should meet before this last insurgent
| stronghold within about four days, IL they
meet with no more than the ordinary OPP
| position, so that even If diplomacy fails,
/ there Is hope of the collapse OF the re-
beilon from purely military reasons with-
| in week or ten days.