Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
AMERICANS ADVANCE
The Town Of Macabebe Captured
The People Shout "Vivas."
A REPORT ON The CONFERENCE.
President Schurman Cables About the In
terview with Aguinaldo's Represent
atives Gilmore and His Men
Prisoners.

Prisoners.
Manila, May Gen. Macarthur has
sent officers to Gen. Antonio Luna, the
Filipino commander, under flag of
truce. carrying money and provisions
for American prisoners in his hands,
and asking an exchange Of prisoners
and the names of such as he may have.
1t is reported that the insurgents have
two officers and IS Others and it is sup
posed that among these are Lieut.. j.
c. Gilmore and II men of the crew Of
the United States gunboat Yorktown,
who fell into the hands of the Filipinos
last month when the gunboat visited
Baler, on the east coast of Luzon.
Maj. Bell, with squad of scouts
has captured the town of Macabebe,
about four miles southwest of Calum-
pit, the people ringing bells and shout
ng "vivas' The American army is
now employing Macabebes instead of
Chinese and they are delighted to get
so cents day, declaring their loyalty
to the Americans.
Maj Gen. Lawton is advancing. He
has organized band of 40 scouts to 60
ahead of the column. The band, which
is under W. NJ. Young, an old Indian
fighter, includes Diamond, Harrington,
Somerheld and Murphy, Of the Second
Oregon regiment.
Yesterday, the anniversary of the
battle Of Manila bay, was observed by
the United States fleet the usual drills
being omitted. Admiral Dewey had
many visitors and the American and
British merchantmen dressed ship.
4 REPORT on THE CONFERENCE.
Washington, May 2.The state de-
partment has received a report by
cable from President Schurman, of the
Philippine commission, of the confer
ence that was held at Manila Saturday
between the members of the commits
sion and the representatives of Aguin-
aldo The text of the dispatch was
not made public, but it was stated that
Mr.. Schurman's report agreed pre-
cisely with the press statement of the
proceedings in the conference as cabled
from Manila. II is declared at the
state department that the proclamation
issued by the Philippine commission
just before the beginning of the last
campaign represents the maximum CON
cessions to be made to the insurgents
by the United States government. 1t
is realized now more strongly than at
any other time that the capacity of the
F'ilipinos for self-government is an
undetermined question. The United
States government is willing to
accord the natives an opportunity
to- test their abilities. for the
Philippine commission proposes to al
low them almost complete control of
their local affairs exercising only such
supervision through the United States
military as may be necessary to guard
| against the consequences of mistakes
on the part of the native municipal and
provincial officials in their first expert
ment at self-government, The expert
ment is already in progress at some
points. In the Philippines outside the
island of Luzon, where the United
States authorities have hosted the flag
and assumed sovereignty, yet have con-
| tinued the local governments under
native direction. So far as the reports
indicate, these experiments are work
ing well and promise to have good in
huence in shaping the attitude toward
the United States Of considerable ele-
mcnt among the Filipinos, which has
been suspicious of our intentions.
NAMED FOR GALLANT CONDUCT
Washington, May In accordance
with the presidents request that Gen.
Otis choose from each of the volunteer
regiments now in the Philippines one
man distinguished for gallantry for APP
pointment as second lieutenant in the
regular army. Gen. Otis has forwarded
the following names:
j, b Morse first lieutenant California heavy
artillery: George \ l,alllnger. first lieutenant
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