Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-02
GEN. OTIS IS VERY FIRM.
Refuses Request Of Filipino Repre-.
sentatives for a Three Weeks
Cessation of Hostilities.
PROMISES FULL AMNEsTYoH SURRENDER
Emissaries Return to Gen. Lunn for
Further Instructions-Gen. Otis De-
cIares That Insurgents Are Tired
of War-.Filipinos at Baler Hold
Yorktown Men Prisoners.

h
cIares That Insurgents Are Tired
of War-.Filipinos at Baler Hold
Yorktown Men Prisoners.
Washington, May /. = Gen. Otis
cabled the war department that the con-
ference with the Filipinos terminated
Saturday morning. He says that they
wanted three weeks in which to allow
their congress to decide whether hostil-
tiles should cease. The proposition was
declined. The Representatives retired
to the insurgent lines. Gen. Otis says
the insurgents are tired of fighting and
are no doubt seeking the best terms.
In another cable Gen. Otis expresses
thanks to the president for his appre-
citation of the work of the army in the
Philippines.
1t is stated at the war department
That the insurgent leaders probably will
confer and seek another conference
with Gen. Otis, and that the general will
no doubt grant general amnesty.
Gen. Otis' Dispatches.
The full text of the dispatches from
Gen. Otis is as follows:
Manila. April 29.-Adjutant General,
Washington: Conference with insurgent
representatives terminated this morning.
Their request for cessation of hostilities
Tor three weeks to enable them to call
their congress to decide whether to con-
tfnue prosecution of war or propose terms
of peace, Proposition declined and full
amnesty promised on surrender. Believe
insurgents tired of war, but seek to secure
terms of peace through what they denom-
mate their representative congress.
(Signed) "OTIS"
Manila April 29.-Adjutant General,
washington: The congratulations of his
grateful, will be conveyed as directed.
(Signed) Otis"
Admit Defeat.
Manila, May 1. The conference
Saturday between Gen. Otis and Col.
Manuel Argueleses and Lieut.. Jose
Bornal, who came from Gen. Luna I'M
der flag of truce Friday to ask for a
cessation of hostilities, was fruitless.
1T is understood that the Filipino COM
missioners were given the terms upon
which the Americans will consent to
negotiate. The Filipinos admit that
they have been defeated, and it is ex-
pected that they will return with fresh
proposals from Gen. Luna.
Affords Much Qualification.
Washington, May 1.-The war de-
Partment officials are very much graft
fed with the tone of the reply of Gen.
Otis to the Filipino delegation. 1t is
considered as COMFORTING with the dig
nifty of the United States. 1t would not
be possible for the United States to rec
ognize the existence of the Filipino con-
gress or Filipino government. 1t is
believed that when Gen. Otis reply is
communicated to the Filipino COM
manders they will ask another
conference with the expectation of ar
ranging favorable terms of peace. 1t
is said at the war department that it
is not likely that any further conces-
sions than that of general amnesty will
be made. Peace and freedom, it is be-
lieyed, will appeal more strongly to
the Filipino army than any argument
Aguinaldo and his officers may make.
Meanwhile it is the belief of the Off
Gals at the war department that if the
Filipino generals unduly protract the
negotiations, wholesale assertions on
the part of their men are looked for.
Gen. Lawton is expected to continue
his movement toward joining forces
with Gen. Macarthur, according to the
original programme, as soon as his SOL
diers have recovered from the strain
of their forced march through the jun
gle, and this junction probably will be
effected by Tuesday of next week at
the latest. If by that day the insur-
gents have not laid down their arms,
the American forces at the front will
be strong enough to resume the cam
paign with great vigor and to press
forward along the line of the railroad
northward even as far as San Fer
nando, the latest capital of the insur-
gents.
Yorktown Men Are Safe.
New York, May 1. - A dispatch to
the Herald from Manila says: The in
surgents at Baler state that they have
the missing men of the gunboat York
town and are holding them as pris-
oners.
Washington, May Assistant Sec
NSeoAs @AiiSu, WIN 10 dclluS secretary OF
the navy, said that no information had
been received from Admiral Dewey in
confirmation or otherwise of the report.
published Saturday, that the Filipinos
at Baler are holding Lieut.. Gilmore and
other missing men of the cruiser York,
town, as prisoners.
Opinion of the Juntn.
London, May 1. = Members of Thu,
Filipino junta here made the Statement.
to the press correspondent that the
peace negotiations between TIE United
States authorities at Mantle. and Gen
Luna were unofficial in character. Gen
Luna, the junta asserts, does not repre-.
sent Aguinaldo's government. 1t is
further asserted by the junta that Sc.
cret negotiations between Dean C.
Worcester, of the United States Pbilip.
pine commission. and representative
of Aguinaldo have been in PROGRESS
since before the attack on Malolos. Tb ,
following conditions, it is alleged. wer,
proposed after the capture of Malolos,
The Americans to issue a procla matio r
granting the Filipinos self-governmcnt a n :
political. civil and religious rights simiIsn
TO those enjoyed by the people of Canada.
the FiIininoS n control int -