The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-22
GIVEN Full INSTRUCTIONS.
Commissioners Final Con.
ference with Col. HnN.

ference with Col. Hay.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21-Secretary Hay
had what probably will be the final confer
ence with the members of the Philippine
commission to-day and gave them full in
structions on every point that is likely to
arise 1t was stated that Professors Schur-
man and Worcester would leave Washington
next Tuesday and Mr.. DENLY will follow
to Manila as soon as he can terminate his
duties with the war investigating commits
sion. 1t is learned beyond question that the
commission will have no executive powers;
it will be an advisory council in the full
sense of the term, although two of the men,
bers-Admiral Dewey and General Otis-may
carry out policies laid down by the commits
sion in their own single executive capacity.
as military and naval commanders. There
appears to be a confidence entertained at
the War Department that the status quo
can be maintained in the Philippines until
the arrival of this commission, a belief
probably based on the character of the in
structions given to General Otis.
The War Department has not been ad-
vised of any change in the disposition of
General Miller's troops, which at last re-
port were lying before Iloilo, although it
is assumed that he has carried out the
project formerly mentioned by him of land
ing them on Guimaras island, just off the
harbor of Iloilo.
Secretary Hays son, Adelbert Hay, is go
ing to the Philippines in company with the
son of Representative Wadsworth, of New
York. They will be rated as clerks to Col.
John H. Page, of the Third Infantry in
order to warrant their passage on the trans
port. This vessel will leave New York with
fla nfyI 90, INO1N Ns..5
son is also arranging for visit to Manila,
though he will make a passage by one of
the ordinary steamship lines.
The War Department has cabled General
Otis. in command of the military forces in
the Philippines, asking if the Spanish pris-
oners held by the insurgents have been re-
leased. 1t is evident from this that the
government is moving toward the execution
of Article VI of the peace treaty, by which
the United States undertook ito obtain the
release of all Spanish prisoners in the hands
of the insurgents in the Philippines and,
at its own cost, to return these prisoners
to their homes. There were reports during
the day that the release of prisoners had
actually begun, but Secretary Alger said
he had not been advised of this release, al
though he was making inquiries as to the
situation The number of these Spanish
prisoners is considerable, running into the
thousands. At one time Admiral Dewey re-
ported the capture of several thousand
Spaniards by the insurgents, and one of the
witnesses before the Paris commission tes-
titled that between 1000 and 5000 armed
Spaniards had been surrendered to the in
sIrgents. Quite a number of the prisoners
are monks and friars.
The delegation of three representatives
from the Filipinos arrived here this even
ing The party comprises Jose Losada, Juan
Luna and w. Marti Burga. They proceeded
Immediately to their hotel, where they and
Senior Agoncillo and his secretary remained
throughout the evening. They refused all
cards