Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-23
OFFER TO F|L|P|NOS,
Propositions Made BY the Sehur-
man Commission
A FORM OF GOVERNMENT,
The President Cables His Approval Of
the Plan.
MILITARY OPERATIONS CONTINUE.
Only Filipino Troops Now Left. IT is
Said, Are 1000 Men, Under General
Luna, and 1000, Under General
Pillar.
MILITARY OPERATIONS CONTINUE.
Pillar.

MANILA, May 22.-315 p. M.-Professo,
Schurman, head Of the United States
Philippine Commission, has submitted the
following written propositions to the Fill
pinos:
while the final decision as to the form
of government is in the hands of Con-
gress, the President, under his military
powers, pending the action of Congress.
stands ready to offer the following form
of government:
"A encouragement to be appointed by
the President; cabinet, to be appointed
by the Governor-G General; all the judges
to be appointed by the President; the
heads of departments and judges, to be
either Americans or Filipinos, or both,
and also a general advisory council, its
members to be chosen by the people, by
form of suffrage to be hereafter careful
ly determined upon.
"The President earnestly desires that
bloodshed cease, and that the people of
the Philippines, at an early date, enjoy
the largest measures of self-government
compatible with peace and order"
PRESIDENT APPROVES.
The United States Commission prepared
the above, and the President cabled his
approval Of the form Of the document.
The F'ilipinos have made no definite
proposition except for a cessation of hos
tlities until they can present the question
of peace TO the people. Professor Schur-
man told the Filipnos they had no means
Of gathering the people together, as the
Americans control most of the ports. He
also reminded them that liberal form Of
government was offered them, and point
ed out that it was better than the condl-
tions existing under Spanish rule.
Gonzaga, president Of the Filipino Com
mission. replied that nothing could be
worse than Spanish rule, and admitted
that the form of government proposed
WAS hDcTal
FILIPINO COMMISSION DIVIDED.
The civilian members of the Filipino
Commission have declined to cooperate
with the other members of that commits
sion, as the former consider Aguinaldo's
latest demand to be preposterous, after
Major-General Otis $ refusal of an arnlls-
tice. referring to his wish for time in or
der TO consult with the Filipino Congress.
After a conference tomorrow with the
United States commissioners the Filipino
commissioners will lunch with Professor
Schurman, and afterwards visit the ves-
sells composing the American feet.
MILITARY OPERATIONS PROCEED.
2IS F. Mn spite of the presence of
the Filipino commissioners in Manila, the
military operations continue with un-
abated vigor.
The visitors were apparently ignorant
| Of the true condition of affairs here. Upon
| their arrival they were Immediately
| inundated with invitations, covering both
day and night, and express surprise at
| the condition of affairs within our lines.
| They had been led to believe that every
| thing was chaotic, and are delighted at
| the reception accorded them.
| Reports received from persons who have
arrived from the interior show that no
| troops are left in the northern province.
| They were all drafted south after the
| outbreak of the war. The villages on
! the west coast are almost deserted, and
the Ilocanos, especially, are DESTROYS of
! Joining the Americans, if only for the pur-
| pose of crushing the Tagals. Many ma
! tives Of Benguot and Ilocos said that II
the Americans had not arrived, civil wal
would necessarily have ensued, owing e
the friction between the Tagalogs and the
inhabitants Of other provinces.
FEW FILIPINO TROOPS LEFT.
| 1t IS added that the only Filipino troop:
now left are 1000 men under General Luna
at Tarlac, and about 1000 under Gen
eral Pic del Pillar. Even these are de-
| moralized and short of arms and supplies
| Many of their rifles are disabled, and
| the Filipinos are unable to repair them
owing to the lack of mechanics and ma
| terials for so doing.
| \ coasting steamer, which has arrived
| here reports that the Spanish garrison
at Zamboanga, Island Of Mindanao, is
held by the rebels in much the same man
| ner as the Americans held them while
they were In the vicinity of Manila. Every
night the Spaniards are subjected to al
Intellectual fusillade. and If they are MOI
soon relieved they will be reduced 10 th'
condition Of the Spanish garrison, al
Iloilo, just previous to its evacuation o.
that place.
REPORT FROM OTIS.
| WASHINGTON, d. c., May 22.-Th'
War Department has received the follow
ing from General Otis:
Manila May %, 1899.
Northumberland Washington, ID. c.:
Conditions as follows: In Bulacan pro
vince troops maintained at Quinga, Bali
ing down Rio Grande from San Isidro
has driven enemy westward from San An
tonic, Cariao, and Arayat. where he wa
joined yesterday by Hobbies column; vii
reach Santa Ana and Candaba to-day
Macarthur still az San Fernando. an'
will occupy cities south and west ward
Insurgent forces are disintegrating daily
I.una's force at Tarlac much diminished
has DESTROYED several miles railway in hi
| front. number of officers of rank nave
deserted Luna, and few have entered Ma
Mia for protection. In Pampanga an'
Bulacan. inhabitants returning to homes
only fear insurgent troops south or Ma
Mia. Insurgent disintegration progress
ing though large force still maintained
Conditions improving daily. Send batta
lion troops and gunboat 10 Negros 20
morrow 10 allay excitement In southern
norton of island and west coast of Cebu
Have denied request OF Aguinaldo's com
nissioners for armistice."
LIKE THE CUBAN SYSTEM.
4 WASHINGTON. ID. c., May 22.-The re-
rort from Manila that a form OF govern
ment has been proposed to the Fflipinos
Including a governor-general cabinet
and an advisory council. Is confirmed a
the state Department. The plan Is the
| o,,,,rowfh of numerous cable and mai