Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-09-22
THINKS II A TRICK.
Secretary Roots Opinion Of the
Latest Filipino Proposal.
REGARDS IT A SCHEME TO GAIN TINE.
The oner Is to Open Negotiations
Looking to the Release of Ameri-
can Prisoners in the Hands
of the Insurgents.

Washington, Sept. sU.-Secretary
Root on Tuesday received cablegram
from Gen. Otis that seemed to indicate
a weakening on the part of the insur-
gents in Luzon. 1t contained proffer
to deliver the American prisoners who
have been for so many months in the
hands of the insurgents, and also sought
permission to parley with Gen. Otis.
This cablegram was at once taken by
Secretary Root over to the cabinet
meeting, and formed the main topic for
discussion at the beginning of the ses-
sion. However, upon reading the mes
sage carefully, its apparent Importance
seemed to diminish. Secretary Root
himself did not regard the matter as of
Importance at this time. He recalled
frequent efforts on the part of the in
surgents in the past to gain time at
critical moments by opening negotia-
tons, ostensibly with the object of maxi
ing peace, and he was not sure but this
last offer was something of the same
kind. However, the secretary. was of
the opinion that it would fail to afford
the insurgents any advantage. Gen.
Otis would receive any messenger and
listen to him and make answer to his
proposals, but this would not restrain
the military operations in the slightest
degree, and the American arms would
lose no ground, no matter how the ne
gotiations turned out.
There is possibility also that the in
surgents may have become disheart-
ened at the renewed and intense activ-
ity in the direction of reinforcing Gen.
Otis, and concluded, in view of the
great force gathering to open the cam
paign in the dry season, that further re-
sistance would be useless. 1t is pointed
out as noticeable fact that Aguinaldo's
name does not appear in Gen. Otis dis
patch, and though this may not be Of
great significance, still among some of
the army officers it is surmised that
there are serious dissensions among
the insurgents, and that perhaps some
of the discordant elements are acting
on their own responsibility.
Otis Dispatch.
The cablegram from Gen. Otis says
that Gen. Macarthur has been APP
preached by prominent Filipino who
| asked If he were willing to enter into
negotiations with Aguinaldo for the re-
| lease of the American prisoners held by
the Filipinos.
Otis Hindered by Wet Season.
New York, Sept. 2O.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says that ac-
cording to official advices received at
| the war department Tuesday Gen. Otis
has been disappointed in carrying out
| several military movements contem-
| plated at this time by reason of the
continued rains. He fears now that the
American troops will be able to do lit
tie, if anything, in the way of aggres-
| sive action before November 1. The
authorities had hoped to get news of
several important engagements, plans
of which they have known for some
time. In some respects they consider
that the delay will be beneficial By
November i Gen. Otis will have 10000
more men, and will therefore be able
to put larger army into the field and
begin much more aggressive cam
paign than is possible at present.
| Will Not Interfere.
| Corporal Danphoffer and Private
1 Conine, sentenced to death by court
martial for assaulting Filipino women,
will not receive any mercy at the hands
of the president. The sentence of the
| court-martial will be carried out as
soon as the proceedings and finding in
| the two cases can be reviewed and an.
proved, unless there should be some
thing irregular about the proceedings
The president has fully determined not
to interfere in any way in the execu-
ton of the sentence of the court-mar-
tial. He reached this conclusion upon
the receipt Tuesday of message from
Gen. Otis confirming the newspaper re-
ports of the crime committed by these
two men and the sentence imposed.
Gunbont Scntters Insurgents.
Washington, Sept. 2O-The navy de-
partment has received the following
cablegram from Admiral Watson dated
Manila, September 10:
| Davidson, in Paragua, had sharp en-
| gagement on the 14th at San Fabian, Lin
gayen gulf, with about 300 insurgents heav,-
lily entrenched at distance of from LOO
70 ZOO yards. The insurgents fed. Their
nre was weak and ineffective. On the
] Paragua there were no casualties. The
/ senior Continents Davidson Highly"