The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-19
|1HE PEACE CONFERENCE
Proposed by AguinaldO
to the Americans.
FAVORABLE RECEPTION

Given Proposition by Civilian Mem
bers Of American COmmission-Our
scouts In Enemyss Lines-Gay Scenes
I'm streets of Observation-Disclosures Jan.
q Declares for War Until ~Independ.
enee be Secured-To Replace Spanish
Garrison with Americans.
Manila, May Il. (Sunday.)-The CT
william members of the United States
Philippine commission are favorable
to the meeting with a Philippine COM
mission, which was suggested yester-
day on behalf Of Aguinaldo by Lieu
tenant Reyes, of the staff Of General
Gregorio Del Pillar, who came to Gen.
eral LAYTON under flag Of truce, bear
ing the proposal. 1t is thought by the
American commissioners that the idea
may have resulted from a recent meet
ing of the SO called Philippine congress
at San lsidro. Definite information on
this point, however, ann yet be OBJ
tanned; though the local Philippine
committee, which is in close commune
cation with the leaders of the rebellion,
is doing it's utmost to secure peace.
Ten members of Major General Law
on's band of Sc uts, under w. M. Young
the old Indian fighter, entered the town
of San Miguel, about fifteen miles north
of Norzagaray, not aware what place it
was. They found two hundred Philip
pinos there, but the rebels, taking the
scouts for the advance of General Law
TOMS army, fled after firing a few shots.
Young and another scout were wound
ed and have been brought to Manila.
The Ninth infantry and a mountain
battery of six guns have been sent to
the front.
GAY SCENES IN MANILA
The uniform quiet o prevailing in
| Manila has led the authorities to relax
the rule under which the city streets
| were cleared from z to $3.50 p. M, and
this evening there is the largest and
most brilliant assembly Of pedestrians
and people in carriages to listen to a
band concert on the Lunta, that has
been known here since the Spaniards
left.
London, May 15.-The Philippine
| junta here has received a message from
| Aguinaldo via Hong Kong, saying the
Philippine government has decided tC
continue the war at all costs until in
| dependence is secured.
Washington, May 15.-It is expected
at the war department that General
Otis will take steps at once to replace
the Spanish garrison at ZambOangs
| with United States troops. The indica.
tions are that a comparative small
| force will suffice, provided that it il
supported by one or two gunboats. The
| place is one of the greatest strategic
importance, being the capital of the is
land of Mindanao, the second largest il
the Philippine group, and a good sea
port. 1t was to this point that thu
Spanish forces retreated from IlOilC
when the town was evacuated with
out notice to the American forces. The
town is easily defensible with a small
artillery force. The fact that the in
surgents are in possession of rapid fr'
guns makes the situation at Zamboau
ga more serious but it is not believed
here that they have a large supply o
the ammunition necessary to operat'
the weapons, which will Consequent!
soon become useless to them.
Through unofficial agents, the gov
eminent here has been quietly maxim,
investigation into the state of affair
in the Sulu group, south of the Vizaya'
islands, with a view to d~eter-ninln.
whether by good management the in
habitants cannot be brought into al
legiance to the United States withou
instructions. The natives are gener
ally Mahomedans, and owe allegiance Il
a sultan whom t~heSpaniards have neve
been able to bring into more than nomi
nal submission. He maintains a haren
and lives in state, and it is probabl
that an annuity will have to be provided
for him out of the revenues of the is
land after the United States takes pos
session.