The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-05-25
The End in Sight.

ne GuU III O4&ugs
ALREADY the end of hostilities in
the Philippines has practically beer
reached, and day by day the prospects
grow brighter for an immediate estab.
| lishment of peaceful government under
American control on a very liberal
basis. At the meeting of the Ameri-
can and Filipino Commission Monday
President Schurman gave the following
outline of the proposals presented by
the American Commission and already
| approved by President Mckinley:
:" While the formal decision as to she
form of government is in the hands of
Congress the President, under his
military powers, pending the action of
Congress, stands ready to offer the
following form of government:
(" A Governor General to be appointed
by the President; a cabinet to be
appointed by the Governor 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 it's members to be
chosen by the people by a form of
suffrage to be hereafter carefully de-
termined upon.
The President earnestly desires
that bloodshed cease, and that the
people of the Philippines at an early
date enjoy the largest measure of self
government compatible with peace and
order"
There are very encouraging reasons
for believing that the above proposals
will accomplish their purpose. PreBi
dent Gozaga, President of the Filipino
Commission said that he considered
them liberal. The members of the
American Commission have expressed
belief in the good results of the
conference on the grounds that the
autonomy plan which the insurgent
leaders favor closely resembles that
proposed by the United States Com
mission. Although the representatives
of Aguinaldo were not empowered
either to make or accept any definite
proposals, the fact that they consider
favorably the United States proposals,
and in an unofficial capacity have
discussed plans very similar in nature,
may be regarded as an encouraging
sign. Moreover, the civilian members
of the Filipino Commission have
declined to join the other members in
Aguinaldo's latest demands, for time in
which to consult the so called Filipino,
Congress. In face of the fact that Gen.
Otis has already refused such demand
they regard its re petition as absurd.
Whatever may be Aguinaldo's pGp-
pose in this matter, whether he, is
making honest negotiations for peace,
or whether he is meditating some coup
under their guise, it remains that the
most opulent and most influential
citizens of Luzon, and even the bulk
of the insurgent Filipinos are tired of
war and look with favor upon the
propositions made by this country.
Gen. Gregorio del Pelar, acknowledges
that the Filipiuos are impoverished,
and that all hope of Filipino republic
has been abandoned. This is credible,
while it is not credible that in the
midst of present conditions even Agui-
naldo should still cling to such hope.
The proposals Of President Mckinley
are as liberal as is consistent with order
and good government. They are
eccentially the same as those made
before the instruction began. We
have made no concessions. By dint of
hard fighting we have convinced
Aguinaldo and his warriors that Amer
can control is the only thing left for
them; by virtue of fair and logical
argument we have taught the intelli-
gent citizens of Luzon the same lesson.
And now it appears that the Filipinos
are finally to accept, after months of
impoverishing war, what was formerly
offered in all kindness, for the mere
taking.
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION.