Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-19
THE END AT HAND.

Great satisfaction Is expressed by
War Department officials with the news
contained in the dispatch of General
Otis.
The belief was expressed that the end
of the instruction was at hand.
The wisdom OF refusing any terms to
the first commission and impressing
the insurgepIiS is everywhere COM
mended Oyollis account no doubt 10
expressed thnr the new commission,
which is on its way tn Manila. will be
ready TO accept the favorable terms
which General Otis has been ready to
grant upon actual surrender and ces-
sation of hostilites
THE PRESIDENT INFORMED.
The dispatch Of General Otis was sent
10 The Presiden, at Hot Springs.
Secretary Alger said that the situa-
ton was most encouraging. and that 1t
was apparent the Filipinos realized the
strength of the United States and saw
,hat resistance would mean extermina-
ton for them il they persisted in de-
lying authority.
Speaking of the part taken by the
Volunteers in the Philippines campaign
the Secretary said that. Instead OF
wishing 10 be home they would no,
nave missed 1t, as it was an-ett-tessaatt In
their lives; especially as the hard fight
ing has been crowned with success.
The Secretary believes that the com
mission which Aguinaldo is sending to
General Otis will accept any terms pro-
posed by the United States.
OTIS ON THE ALERT. =
1t Is not likely that General Otis will
permit himself to be deceived by the
over'ures OF the insurgents, or that. he
VIII give consideration to any PROPOSE
tons which the present commission
may submit that are not sincere and
final beyond question. 1t is not clear
to the officials here what concessions
Agninaldo expects to receive, inasmuch
as General Otis. with the full approval
OF the President and his cabinet, has
repeatedly declared that he will con-
slider nothing but the unconditionals sur
render of the insurgents as a neces-
sary preliminary to any negotiations
for cessation of hostilities
SUSPECTED OF TRICKERY.
1t is possible that the willy insurgent
leader believed that he may make terms
for the special benefit of himself and
his cabinet, and 1t is even possible thar
he has an Idea that the United States
may be willing TO reimburse him lib
orally for the surrender of his army.
1t Is suggested that Aguinaldo Is mere
ly looking out for his own interests in
tbib iHdlleT, HOW lHdl the lllplnO cause
la lost, and will demand safe conduct
out of the Philippine islands for him
self and a few of his chosen friends, to-
gether with sufficient money to enable
them to live in exile for q reasonable
period.
WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
CONVINCED.
war Department officials are convin-
ced that the representatives of the in
surgent cabinet of Aguinaldo. who are
to meet General Otis Tomorrow. will
succumb to the Inevitable and surren-
der. Their forces are evidently so ut
terly demoraHzed by the persistent ad-
vance of the Americans that they are
ready to accept peace on the best
terms they can obtain.
FILIPINO FORCES DIMINISHING.
Driven northward to the foothills OF
the mountains as they have been, their
fleeing and scattered forces, disintegra-
ted and disheartened, can no longer be
made to face our victorious advance.
Less than week ago General Luna
was reported just north of San Fernan-
do, where General MacArthur's troops
i are concentrating and in the neighbor-
hood Of Bacolor, with about 5000 reb-
els.