The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-19
PROMINENT FILIPINOS TO CONFER
WITH AMERICAN REPRESENT.
ATIVES IN MANILA
hGUINlLDO PROBABLY ASSENTED
SUCCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS MEANS
HOMECOMING OF THE THIR-
TEENTH MINNESOTA
VOLUNTEERS TO BE RELIEVED

the Administration to Decide to
Return All the Volunteers Now in
the Philippine Thousand
Regulars May BE Included.
MANILA, April 1S.-Gen. Ben;to Le-
gardo said today regarding a conference
Of prominent Filipinos which was held for
the purpose of considering the situation
that twenty-five of the most influential
men among the Fiiipinos met and dis
cIssed the various methods by which the
pacification Of the island of Luzon might
be brought about. The probable effect of
the various means considered was debated
at length.
A committee was appointed to confer
with the Philippine commission sent here
by President Mckinley, that re-
Gently issued the proclamation in the
island.
The Filipino committee was instructed
TO submit three proposals to the Ameri
gan commissioners. The first proposition
s. to the effect that the Americans make
sll concessions that are possible to the
Filipinos and inaugurate a policy which
will approach absolute autonomy as near
~ as possible.
The second proposition to be made is
that a delegation of Filipinos be sent to
visit Aguinaldo after the Filipino and
American commissions have met and en-
deavor to effect a friendly understanding
between him and the Americans. This
delegation is to explain to the insurgent
chief the concessions which the Ameri-
cans will be willing to make and the pol
Icy which will be followed in the future.
The third proposal will be to the effect
that the American commission assure the
Filipino committee that oil government
positions which are not all government
positions which are not held by Ameri-
cans will be given tc Filipinos and that
representatives of no other race be given
any official positions.
REBELS WILL NOT SUE.
Arevaio, who was formerly Aguinaldo's
aid, regarding the effect the proclamation
issued by the American commission was
having on the natives, said that he be-
lieved the issuance of the proclamation
had been without effect. He said he did
not think the proclamation was reaching
the right class of people. 1t is Arevalo's
opinion that IL the Americans sincerely
desire the pacifcation of the island they
should go under flag of truce and con-
fer with the Filipinos. >In this way each
side would be able to convince the other
. that good faith would govern their ac-
tions He said 1t was highly improbable
that the Filipinos would take the initia-
tive, because they were convinced that
they could hold their own against the
Americans and believe that If they made
the first move toward peace the Ameri-
cans Immediately would refuse to make
such liberal concessions as they would in
case the Filipinos appeared anxious to
continue the fight. - b,
Arevalo said that Aguinaldo at present
was at San Miguel, about thirty-f1ve
miles north of Manila. He also claimed
that Gen. Luna had made his way back
to Bulacan.
A great deal of Importance is placed
upon the meeting of the Filipinos. Le-
garda is one of Aguinaldo's most trusted
lieutenants. He has served as secretary
to the insurgent leader. lie is said to
have a great talent for diplomacy. The
fact that he attended and took a leading
part in the meeting Of the Filipinos has
led to the impression here that Aguinaldo
assented to, If he did not actually insti-
gate, the meeting.
VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT RE-ENLIST
Orders have been issued discharging the
volunteers and regulars who enlisted only
for the Spanish war. The orders take eff
feet within two months. 1t is more than
probable that all the volunteers practical
ly will take advantage of their discharge
fn CT
only 5000 regulars here. and of this num-
Der 1000 enlisted only for the Spanish
American war. The majority of these
will not re-enlist, so that unless men are
sent the army will be greatly reduced.
BELLS MUST NOT RING.
An order was issued today prohibiting
the ringing of the church bells at night
Of late the bells have been rung a grea
deal, and the officials have concluded
that the chimes were being used for sig
mailing by the insurgents Hence tn,
order.
Gen. Lawton has returned to Manila
1t is believed that he will be sent to tn,
north in an enoeavor to capture Agui
naldo.
AT RISK OF THEIR LIVES
A branch of the committee will ap
proach Aguinaldo with the terms, ant
will endeavor to persuade him to accep
them. IT is considered doubtful, how
ever, If any members of the committee
will dare to personally confer with tn
rebel leader. The committee include
several persons recently condemned t.
death, by Aguinaldo for petitioning min
to cease fighting.
Maj. Gen. Otis has appointed board
headed by Col. Crowder, to deal with wa
claims. Many such claims have bee,
filed, aggregating millions Of dollars, par
hcularly as result of the Iloilo hre
Mai Gen. Otis, who has hitherto handled
these claims, Is unable to devote any o
of mis- time to them now.
Gen. I.awton has ordered Col Whalley
of the-Washington regiment, who is.
lieutenant in the regular army to com
nand Gen. Kings brigade during the lat
ter's illness.
THIRTEENTH TO COME HOME.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 17.-Secre
tary Alger says, In explanation of tn
above cablegram from Manila that it la
been decided to permit the volunteers Il
the Philippines to return home as fast a
transportation can be furnished. The