The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-09
REBEL LEADERS,
POWER is BROKEN.
Aguina|do Recognizes His Fatal Error.
General Otis Given Free Scope
to Deal With Fi|ipinoS.

Washington. Feb. 9.-There Is an al
most complete release from the tension
under which the rapid occurrence Of
events i'm the Philippines has held the
officials OF the administration since the
first startling news from Manila Satur-
day night. This was brought about
through the receipt OF a bulletin from
General Otis. summing up the latest re-
suits Of the lighting he has had with the
natives The statement that Aguinaldo's
influence had been destroyed. and that
the Filipino leader was seeking for
cessation OF hostilities and for a confer
ence, was most acceptable and was in
terpreted as an admission that he had
realized his terrible mistake.
IL is entirely improbable that he will
be able to restore anything like the
status quo, or TO obtain anything like the
same terms as were possible last week
No one here now knows just what Cen
eral Otis intends 10 impose In the way OF
terms. Secretary Alger repeats his
previous statement that he has given the
general no instructions since the battle
and sees no reason for giving any. He
realizes. he says. that General Otis. be-
Ing on the ground and having proved hts
htness, is i'm better position to deal with
the situation than anyone I'm Washing
ton. Should the general ask permission.
therefore TO do anything. he would be
granted permission immediately. Should
he ask for instructions on any point"
said Secretary Alger. "he will be told TO
exercise his own discretion"
In this view of the ease IL Will be seen
that no one tere can tell at present how
Otis will act toward Aguinaldo's appli-
action. But the opinion is expressed nv
Nen here who know General Otis ax-
perience with the Indians that he will
make the laying down OF arms the con-
dition OF dealing with the insurgents at
all, and IL that condition is met. of course
II will mean speedy termination of the
rebellion.
Reverting TO the policy during the late
war with Spain, the officials of the war
department, as well as those OF the
navy, decline most positively TO afford
any information for publication re-
spectins the instructions given or to
be given To the military and naval COM
manders in the Philippines with spies
I'm Canada, and even i'm Washington;
with Philippine juntas In the European
capitals and in Hong Kong. and with
malicious spirits in Europe 10 contend
with, the departments say they will
have all they can do to get news OF
their intentions TO the American COM
n anders in the Philippines I'm season 10
prevent the insurgents from profiting
by It,
fIhngafnva
timation as to what instructions will
be sent 10 General Otis respecting the
application by Aguinaldo for q cessa-
ton OF hostilities and a conference.
Nevertheless, there is q reason 10 be-
lieve that upon this point. at least. no
have been sent The ad-
has unlimited confidence
In General Otis military abilities. and
they are cohgratulating themselves that
Lis experience in Indian warfare is ex-
actly what Is needed for the safe con-
duct OF the American campaign now.
He will know just how much confidence
TO place in this overture. The history
of the insurrcction OF the Fillpinos is
said TO be full OF as many instances
Of bad faith on their part as could be
round In one OF our own Indian cam
paigns. The plea of Aguinaldo is there
fore likely TO be left with General Otis.
and IL Will be for him 10 Judge whether
Ii Is proper offer OF submission in |
good faith, or nothing more than a cum
ming device TO gain time to reorganize |
and reinspire the badly demoralized Fill |
Ipinos. The news conveyed by Cen
eral Otis message was received with !
great qualification, as at least holding |
out a hone OF more speedy termination |
)f hostilities on Luzon than was ex- |
oected after the first outbreak.
There is no reason to believe that the |
president has changed his policy re- |
srccting the treatment OF the Filipinos |
because Of the battle. and II is believed |
hat If they are content TO profit by !
he severe lesson administered 10 them I
ne will Ue willing TO receive them as
,rring children, and treat them with I
is great n degree OF llberallty as their
state, and due regard for the interests
IF the United States and of civilization,
will Kermit.
IT is thought at the war department
hat the large number of wounded Fill
pinos In the hands OF the American
orces. while they viii prove somewhat
'u"censome. and will make a heavy
irar. on the resources OF the medical de-
'artmen.. will prove good thing I'm the
ma. The wounded Filipinos cared for
n the American hospitals and fed with
American rations, IL is believed. will
make very effective missionaries when |
hey return to their own people. The
dca OF wounded prisoners being care