Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-05-05
FILIPINOS WANT PEACE.
ENJOYS Had Two Conferences
With Gen. Otis.

Gen. LaVvtOn's Command Continues In
Battle---GaIlant Col. Funston Made a
BrIgadier---LIeut.. Gilmore ana Men
Held as Prisoners.
The conference Saturday between Gen Otis
and Col. Manuel Argueleses and Lieut.. Jose
Bernal, who came from Gen. Luna Friday
under flag of truce to ask forla cessation
of hostilities, was fruitless. 1t is under
stood that the Filipino commissioners were
given the terms upon which the Americans
will consent to negotiate. = The tilipinos
admit that they have been defeated, and it
is expected that they will return with
fresh proposals from Gen. Luna. The en-
voys from Gen. Luna were treated very
Hospitality by Gen. Otis, who provided
them with house and a guard and per
mitted them to visit friends.
Col. Argueleses, who is a lawyer, splen-
didly illustrated the Malay subtlety at
words. While he declared with apparent
frankness that the Filipino leaders wanted
a chance to give up the struggle gracefully,
| through the Congress, instead of surren-
dering ignominiously, he asked for a fort
nights armstice so that the Congress
might be summoned on May 10. He en-
deavored to commit the Americans to
| greater concessions and wanted terms
guaranteed by treaty. He was told that
recognition of the Filipino government
was impossible and he was given to under
| stand that a written guarantee of amnesty
| for all insurgents was the utmost that
could be given. Col. Argueleses argued
that Spain has given similar guarantees and
broken them, and he laid much stress on
the Spaniard's honor. He persstently de-
clared that the Filipinos must be permitted
| to retire with honor.
In conversation with Mr.. Schurman,
Col Argueleses revived the question of in
dependence and was referred to the state
ment in the commissioners proclamation
that the Filipinos would be given an in
creasing measure of self-government as
soon as they proved themselves worthy OF
it. Mr.. Schurman warned Argueleses that
the longer war was waged and the more
we're killed, the stronger would be the ami
mosities hindering the amicable co0pera
ton between the two peoples for the pros
perity of the islands.
After the conference Gen. Luna's repre-
sentatives returned to the Filipino lines.
The insurgents have an instruction OF
their own hands. The Macabebees, tradi
tional foes of the Tagals, are rising in thu
north, while the burden of thousands o
hungry and discontinued people who fee
before the American army, and who ar
camping behind the Filipino lines, multi
plies the troubles of the Filipino govern
ment, the headquarters of which are nov
! at San Isidro, having been removed north
ward when Ualumpit fell.
Manila is divided between two opinions
} the majority believing that the Filipino
desire peace, while others think they ar
} sparring for time in which to rehabilitat
their demoralized army. The latter opir
ion gained color from the fact that rein
! forcements have been sent to the south
, opposite the American lines.
A special cable despatch from Manil
g says the insurgents at Balar state this
1 they have the missing men of the gunbos
4 Yorktown and are holding them as prison
q | ers.
f 1t is said that Col. Funston, of the Kar
I sas regiment, will probably receive bril-
d adler generals commission as well as
d medal of honor in recognition of his bri
liant services at Calumpit.
n A statement prepared at the war d.
t partment shows that 1913 men were kllt
S in the Philippines from February 4
e April IS, and I'LL wounded total
, 1909.
e Gen. Otis said: "The insurgents though
J, that their position on the river bank
U Calumpit was impregnable. There tn,
made a stand against the Spaniards
n 1896. Our success in storming their stror
:, intrenchments has absolutely demoralizt
# them, and the people are ready to give |
n the fight.
0 GAS to the emissaries who have bee
# sent by Gen. Luna, my opinion is tn
b. they desire to gain time. They say tn
n they wish to submit the question of cont
IS uing the war or not TO their Congress
2 meeting in May. These leaders thin
# that they represent the Filipino people.
ID 81 answered that would be glad to 7
D ceive emissaries from the insurgents pr
e vided they came with a proposition for a
s. solute surrender. These we're the on
Of terms that would consider. The emiss
rs ries would not agree to this, as tn
d thought it contrary to the dictates of he
4, or. The emissaries added that if pea
was forced upon them it would not be pc
IN manent."
W The insurgents attacked the America
lie at Taguig Friday, killing two of our m
and wounding ~. They were subsequel
n ly repulsed by five companies of the
n Washington and three companies of
lg 18th infantry. There are indications IL
TO considerable force of the enemy
gathered in that vicinity. The insurgei
IN are constructing breastworks on the she