The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-21
UNA HAS TAKEN A HAND IN IT.
Arrested the ENJOYS Who We're First Ap-
pointed 10 Ask Peace.
NOTHING is LIKELY TO Be ACCOMPLISHED
Otis VIII Not he Handicapped by
Instructions, but VIII Use His
own Discretion.

Manila. May 20. 10 a. m,---Genoral Greg
orio del Pillar. commander of the insurgent
sorcos in front eli General Lawton's divl-
sion Lieutenant Colonel Alberto Bar
retto, Judge Advocate Major 2ealclta of
Agunaldo's staff and Senior Graciogngaga,
former member of the Filipino cabinet,
the commissioners appointed to cooperate
with Seniors Florintino Torres, Pablo
Campo and Theodore Yanco of Manila for
the purpose of negotiating terms of peace
with the American commissioners. reached
Manila by special train from Malolos at
S:l5 o'clock this morning.
The party was met by Lieutenant Colo
mel Barry adjutant general. and con-
Quoted from the train to the launch Capt.
tan and taken TO the palace at Galacanan
and after breakfast were driven through
the city to tho Ayuntamient.
The party was oloseted with General
Otis for more than an hour, but the in
terview was decidedly unsatisfactory, the
commission having nothing definite to
propose and being unempowered to nego-
tiato terms.
| The commissioners brought commune
cation direct from Agunaldo asking for
IN armstice pending the decision of the
| Filipino congress as to what policy should
! be adopted
IA before. General Otis refused TO en-
terrain the proposition, The commission
ers, after leaving the city hall, accepted
an invitation to visit the Oregon and tho
other vessels of the American feet in
lthe bay ana tia.. ,ya.o atso ,.,ou..a
mission TO SEQ their families before re-
turning
Washington. Nav 2o.-Thc following
dinpatch has been received at the war de-
partment
Adjutant General, Washington.
Manila, MAY Commissioners of
Aguinaldo arrived this morning. They
wish to consult the United States COM
mission. which they will do on the I'D
instant Their power Is limited and APP
parontly an armistce is condition prcce-
dent to negotiation. Agmnaldo asks
cessation OF hostilltles to ascertain the de-
sire of the Filipino people. Otis
Washington May 20-The cable from
General Otis today indicates to the war
department that the commission. which
is now IN Manila will accomplish nothing,
because It has no authority 10 negotiate
for actual peace. The Importance of the
Visit Of the commission is In the event ths
Filipinos desire To end hostillties There
ig an impression that Agunaldo playing
for time in his request No Instructions
or suggestions will be sent to General OTIS
hy The department. The officials are con-
1dent' that be has the matter well In hand
and is the better able 10 Judge what Is
best to do From the manner in which
General Otis has handled past negotiations
with the Filipincs there is little doubt that
he viii ref11e the request for the armis-
tice asked The position of the American
troops in the Philippines Is such as 10
render II possible to infict great damage
10 the FiiiprDs without serious loss to our
forces General Otis being aware Of the
feeling OF the people, as shown by the
press dispatches. no doubt believes the
Fliriuo rebellion is crumbling and the
object OF Asuinaldo and other leaders N
requesting the armistce is to organize
their forcos or to impress the Filipino
people with the evidence OF an Importance
which they do not possess.
New York, May Pa dispatch to the
Herald from Manila says; General Luna
has dissolved the peace commission ap-
pointed by Agulnaldo. Two of It's mem
bers- Buencamino and Colonel Argueleses
have been arrested at Tarlac where Luz
mas government Is established, Four other
commissioners were appointed who came
into General Lawton's lines at San lsiiro
Their authority is limited TO asking a
cessation Of hostilitlcs. TIE new commits
sion is headed BY General Gregorio del
Pillar. Colonel French, with the Twenty
second infantry, was sent down the river
thres miles from ssr Isidro by General
I.awion. He met the enemy, driving them
out with loss OF four Americans. Major
Kobhe. with the Seventeenth and Nine