The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-19
Aguinaldo And His Cabinet
Are at One.
SUFFERlNGs OF THF FOE
SHORT OF FOOD, THE PREY OF
DISEASE AND FEAR.
BREAKING UP INTO BANDS OF PILLAGERs
The Filipinos Now Realizing The Power Of The
Union, See that Continued Resistance
Means for them Determination.
Aguinaldo Discouraged.

Means for them determination.
Aguinaldo Discouraged.
Washington, May 1S.-General Otis
cables the War Department that the
representatives of Aguinaldo are seek
ing terms of peace and that the forces
of the insurgents are scattering in the
mountains.
Following is General Otis cable
gram:
Manila, May IS.
"Adiutant General Washington.
Representatives insurgent Cabinet
and Aguinaldo i'm mountains twelve
miles north San Isidro, which aban-
doned 18th instant, will send i'm COM
mission tomorrow to seek terms of
peace. Majority of force confronting
Macarthur at San Fernando has re-
tired to Tarlac, tearing up two miles
railway; this force has decreased to
about twenty five hundred. Scout
ing parties and detachments moving
today in various directions. Kobb
with column at Candaya on Rio
Grande. Great majority inhabitants
of provinces over which troops have
moved anxious for peace, supported
by members insurgent Cabinet. AS
pect of affairs at present favorable.
g(Signed) "OTIS."
The dispatch of General Otis was
Immediately sent to the President at
Hot Springs. Secretary Alger said
that the situation was most encourage
ing and that it was apparent that the
Filipinos realized the strength of the
United States and saw that resistance
would mean determination for them
il they persisted in defying authority.
Speaking of the part taken by the
volunteers in the. Philippine campaign
the Secretary says that instead of
wishing to be home they would not
have missed it, as it was an event in
their lives, especially as the hard
fighting has been crowned with sue
cess. The Secretary believes that the
commission which Aguinaldo is send
ing to General Otis will accept any
terms proposed by the United States.
1t is not likely that General Otis will
permit himself to be deceived by the
overtures of the insurgents, or that he
will give consideration to any PROPOSE
tions which the present commission may
submit that are not sincere and final be-
yond question. 1t is not clear to the
officials here what concessions Aguinal-
do expects to receive. inasmuch as Gen
eral Otis. with the full approval of the
President and his Cabinet, has repeat
edly declared that he will consider moth
ing but the unconditional surrender of
the insurgents as Il necessary prelimin-
airy to any negotiations for a cessation
of hostilities. 1t is possible that the
willy insurgent leader believes that he
may make terms for the special benefit
of himself and his Cabinet, and it is
even possible that he has an idea that
the United States may be willing to re-
imburse him literally for the surrender
of his army. 1t is suggested that
Aguinaldo is merely looking out for his
own interests in this matter, now that
the Filipino cause is lost, and will de-
mand safe conduct out of the Philip
pine Islands for himself and Il few of
his chosen friends, together with suffi-
cicnt money to enable them to live in
ease for reasonable period.
COMMENT AT WASHINGTON.
Washington, May 1S-War Depart
nfent officials are convinced that the
end of the insurrection in the Philip
pines is at hand, and that the represent
tatives of the insurgent Cabinet of Agui-
naldo. who are to meet General Otis to-
morrow, will succumb to the inevitable
and surrender. Their forces are evil
IDENTITY so utterly demoralized by the per-
sistent advance of the Americans that
they are ready to accept peace on the
best terms they can obtain.
Driven northward to the foothills of
the mountains rs they have been. their
fleeing and scattered forces, disinte
grated and diSheartened. can no longer
he made to face our victorious advance.
Less than week ago General Luna
was reported just north of San Fernando
where General MacArthur's troops are
concentrated and in the neighborhood |
of Bacolor with about 5000 rebels.
To-day General Otis reports that the |
remnant of this force, about $500 men, |
has withdrawn to Tarlac, over 20 miles |
north of San Fernando.
1t is possible that the remainder of |
this force moved east and joined the
main body Of the insurgents which aban-
doned San Isidro yesterday and fled |
northMard to the mountains from which |
.Aguinaldo is now sending his commits
sioners to sue for peace.
If this is Il truce 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 negotiations in accommodating |
the country ahead of them preparatory !