Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-19
Representatives of His Cabinet Viii
To-Day Ask Terms.
ASPECT OF AFFAIRS FAVORABLE.
II Looks Ms IL the Filipinos Had
Concluded to Accept the In
evitabIe. and Give Up Their Hope
10
less Struggle

!,
WASHINGTON, May 1S.-War Depart
ment officials are convinced that the .end
of the Instruction in the Philippines IS
at hand. and that the representatives of
the lnsurgent cabinet of Aguinaldo VINO
are to meet General Otis tomorrow, VIII
succumb to the inevitable and surrender.
Their forces are evidently so utterly de-
morallzed by the persistent adfance of
the Americans that they are ready to ac-
cept peace on the best terms they can OBJ
tain. =
Driven northward to the foothills of the
mountains, as they have been, their flee
ing and scattered forces, dfsintegrated
and dshearted, can no longer be made to
face the American advance.
Less than week ago General Luna was
reported just north of San Fernando,
where General MacArthurs troops are
concentrated, and i'm the neighborhood OF
Bacolor. with about 1900 rebels. To-day
General Otis reports that the remnant of
this force about 200 men, has withdrawn
to Tarac. north of Sa4 Fernando. 1t is
possible that the remainder of this force
moved east and Joined the main body of
the insurgents. which abandoned San
Isidro yesterday, and fed northward TO
the point from WHICH Aguinaldo is now
sending his commissioners to sue for
peace.
is IT ANOTHER RUSE?
II this Is a ruse to gain time which
none Of the officials at the War Depart
ment believe, it will avail them nothing,
as the Americans will utilize the period
during the negotiating in accommodating
the country ahead of them, to be ready
for a resumption of hostlities the minute
the negotiations fail.
The dispatch Of two battaliOns Of the
Twenty-third Infantry yesterday to Jolo.
the principal town in the Sulu Archl-
pelago. Is the fourth military expedition
detached from the main body Oh our
troops at Manila The Sulu Archipelago
is a group Of 80 small islands, extending
in the form Of a crescent, ike the Aleu
tlan Islands, south Of the philippines.
There are no insurgents, as far as KNOWN
in the Suiu group. The population or the
nese traders, and 1900 negroes.
GENERAL OTISS REPORT.
WASHINGTON, May 1S-General Otis
cables the War Department that repre-
sentatives of Aguinaldo's are seeking
terms of peace, and that the forces or the
insurgents are scattering in the noun
tains
Following is General Otiss cablegram:
4
Washington: Representatives of insurgent
Cabinet and Aguinaldo in mountains
twelve miles north OF San Isidro, which
was abandoned 18th instant. Will send In
commission tomorrow to seek terms Of
peace. Majority of force confronting Mac
Arthur at San Fernando has retired
TO Tarlac. tearing up two miles OF rail-
road. This force has decreased 10 about
twenty-five hundred. Scouting parties
and detachments moving to-day in va
rious directions. Kobbe, with column, at
Candava. on Rio Grande. Great majority
OF inhabitants of provinces over which
troops have moved are anxious for peace,
and are supported by members OF insur-
gent Cabinet. Aspect OF affairs at pres
ent favorable. CSlgned) OTIS.
The dispatch of General Otis's was i'm
mediately sent TO the President, at Hot
Springs.
SITUATION MOST ENCOURAGING.
Secretary Alger said that the situation
was most encouraging, and that 1t was
apparent that the Filipinos realized the
strength of the United States, and saw
that resistance would mean determination
for them, if they persisted in denying
authority.
tv.r.frn m a
Secretary says that, instead Of wishing
10 be brought home they would not have
missed it. as it was an event In their
lives. especially as the hard lighting mas
been crowned with success.
The Secretary believes that the COM
mission which AguinaIdo Is sending TO
General Otis will accept any terms pro-
nosed by the United States.
OTIS NOT LIKELY TO BE DECEIVED.
II is not likely that General Otis viii
hermit himself TO be deceived by the
overtures of the insurgents, or that ne
will give consideration to any PROPOSE
tons which the present commission may
submit that are not sincere and final be-
yOnd question.
IL Is not clear 10 the officials here what
conces sions Agunaldo expects 10 receive,
inasmuch as General Otis. with the fun
approval of the President ana MS CaDlnCt,
has repeatedly declared that he would
consider nothing but the unconditional
surrender OF the insurgents as necessary
preliminary TO any negotiations for ce7-
sation OF hostilities. II Is possible that
the willy insurgent leader believes that
he may make terms for the special bene-
M OF himself and his Cabinet, and II IS
even possible that he has an idea tna'
the United States may be willing 10 re-
imburse him literally for the SURRENDER
Of his army.
"AGGY" LOOKING OUT FOR No Cd
7, Is suggested that Aguinaldo Is merely
looking out for his own interests IN 'nis
matter. now that the Filipino cause 10
lost and will demand safe conduct OUT
81 the philippine Islands for himself ana
a few Of his chosen friends. together with
gt,ncient money TO enable them 10 1--we
In exile for a reasonable period.
REBEL ARMY DIssoLVING.
MANILA. May 1850 +. M.-Two
Snanish prisoners who have just arrived
here from Nueva Ecika say Asuinaldo
has lost prestige with the rebel army.
which IL described. as being completely
demoraIized. short OF food. suffering from
diseases afraid OF the Americans. ana
ropidly dissolving into armed bands OF
pillagers.
THE prisoners add that Generals Pillar
and Luna are the only influential Fill
pInos who are continuing resistance TO
the Americans.
80.