Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-05-25

"A Washington, May 24.-Secretary Hay
has received from President Schurman,
& of the Philippine commission, a long
a message giving the results of the
h meetings thus far held with the native
Il Filipino commission sent by Agulnal-
n do to treat with the Americans. The
message was laid before the president
i last night. He was much gratified at
Y its contents which are said 10 be very
encouraging for the outlook that
something definite may be accom-
plished. President Schurman reports
that the native commissioners will
take back to their people the PROPOSE
ton for a form of government, etc,
suggested by the American commits
sion. The text of the dispatch has not
been made public and will not be. 1t
was stated last night on the authority
of gentleman who spent some time
with the president that contrary to
the reports from Manila there are no
differences of any consequence be-
tween the military and civilian mem
bers of the American commission as to
the course to be adopted in dealing
with the natives.
Schurman's Views.
New York, May PA dispatch to
The Herald from Manila says: Presi-
dent Schurman of the United States
Philippine commission has made this
statement concerning the plan of gov
eminent offered to the Filipinos:
hot no Anna pi D,.s,
successfully bringing the war to a
close, it is an opportune moment to
submit the scheme of government
which is authorized by the president,
who believes that Cancellation is as
necessary as force The present
scheme should satisfy the legitimate
aspira tons of the Filipino people for
participation in their own government
1t gives the insurgents a good oppor-
tunity to lay down their arms. Under
it they will possess more freedom than
under the Malolos government, even
though the latter declares them an in
dependent and sovereign state
American Plans Explained
Manila, May 24.-The Filipino COM
missioners spent Tuesday at the res
idence of the American commission
ers. They discussed every point of
the scheme of government and the
peace proclamation details, asking for
information as to what personal rights
would be guaranteed them. Col,
Charles DENLY of the American COM
mission explained that they would
be the same as under the United States
constitution The Filipnos also de-
sired information as to the school sys-
TEN to be established and approved of
the American policy of the separation
of church and state. They chiefly OBJ
jected to the American plan on the
ground that it gave them personal lib
erty, which they know they would
have but did not give them political
liberty. Finally, the Filipinos said
they were personally pleased with the
plan, but could not endorse it officially.
During the day the Filipino commits
sioners called upon Maj -Gen Otis.
There is much comment here on the
outing the Filipino ENJOYS are enjoy
ing. They are arrayed in blue coats,
scarlet trousers and gold lace, and
drive about the city, reveling in the at
tentions bestowed upon them, which
are evidently very gratifying to them.
They are the centers of continual le-
wees at Filipino houses, where they
have been entertained and have had
every opportunity to advance the in
terests of the instruction. Military
sentiment disapproves of the Filipinos
being lionized by their civilian ele-
ment.
Gen. Otis from ante-bellum expert
ence and owing to the Filipino fond
ness for discussion has maintained
the attitude he assumed with the
first commission. He has had
no offer to make the Fill
pinos save that they lay down their
arms without terms.
The army believes that if we intend
to remain in the Philippine islands, ii
will be cheaper in the long run TO whip
the insurgents SO thoroughly that they
will be glad of the opportunity 10 sur
render, rather than to parley with them
and make terms, which they woul1
construe as a compromise. The army
is also of the opinion that while the
first course may cost more men and
more money in the beginning than The
latter, it will prove an effectual damp
er upon future instruction, whereas, il
the war is ended by a compromise, the
professional revolunionists among the
Tagals may be encouraged to try agar
in a few years.
Rosario, a Filipino congressman
wealthy resident of Manila and former.
ly Aguinaldo's commissary general. &C.
companied by an insurgent captain
called upon Maj. Gen. Otis yesterday
and announced that We desire to sur.
render our persons and property into
the hands of the Americans. The
surrender was arranged by Chaplain