New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-23
TERMS OF PEACE OFFERED
arp sCHURMAN PRESENTS PROPOSALS
TO FILIPINOS.
ropM OF GOVERNMENT PLANNED AP
PROVED By THE PREsIDBNr-AGUI-
NALDos DEMANDS CONSIDERED
PREPOSTEROUS.

PREPOSTEROUS
manila Nav 22-Professor Schurman, head OF
.,s United States Philippine Commission. has
.,,hm,tted the following written propositions to
the Filipinos;
while the final decision as to the form Of gov
.rnment Is in the hands OF Congress. the Presi-
6snt under his military powers. pending he action
~ Congress stands ready to offer the following
form OF Government:
Governor General to be appointed by the Presi-
dent Cabinet to be appointed by the Governor
General all the Judges to be appointed by tho
president the heads OF departments and Judges TO
IA either Americans Filipinos or BOTH and. also.
a General Advisory Council it's members 70 be
chosen by the people by form Of suffrage to be
setermned upon hereafter carefully
The President earnestly desires that boodsned
cease and that the people Of the Philippines at on
early date enjoy the largest measure of selfgov-
srnment compatible with peace and order
The United States Commission prepared the
echeme and the President sent dispatch ap-
proving the form OF the document
The Filipinos have made no definite PROPOSE
ton except for a cessation OF hostilities. until
they can present the question OF peace to the
people Professor Schurman told the Filipinos
they had no means of gathering the people to-
gether as the America ans control most of the
norts He also reminded them that liberal
form OF government was offered to them, and
pointed out that It was better than the condi-
tlons existing under Spanish rule
PROPOSALS SAID TO BE LIBERAL.
Gozaga the president OF the Filipino Commits
sion replied that nothing could be worse than
Spanish rule. and admitted that the form OF
government proposed was liberal.
The civilian members Of the Filipino Commits
sion have declined to cooperate with the other
members Of that Commission. as the former con-
slider Aguinaldo's latest demand to be prepos-
ferrous. after General Otis's refusal Of an armis-
tice referring to the formers wish for time
in order to consult the Filipino Congress.
After conference tomorrow with the United
States Commissioners the Filipino Commission
ers will have luncheon with Professor Schurman,
and will afterward visit the vessels composing
the American fleet.
In spite of the presence Of the Filipino Com
mssioners IN Manila. the military operations
continue with undated vigor.
The visitors are apparently oblivious 10 the
true condition Of affairs. and are enjoying their
visit here They were Immediately inundated
with invitations day and night, and express
surprise at the state Of affairs within the Amer-
can lines. They were led to believe that every
thing was chaotic, and delighted at the re-
cepton accorded to them.
Reports received from persons who have ar
rived from the interior show that no troops are
left in the northern provinces They were all
drafted south after the outbreak Of war. The
villages on the western coast almost de-
serted.-and the Hocanos especially are desirous
of Joining the Americans. II only for the purpose
OF crushing the Tagalos. Many natives Of Bin
guet and Ilocos said that If the Americans had
not arrived civil war would necessarily have
ensued owing TO the friction between the Taga-
los and the inhabitants Of other provinces.
FILIPINO TROOPS DEMORALIZED
II is added that the only Filipino troops now
left are 1000 men under General Luna. at Tar
lac and about 1000 under General Pho del
Pillar Even these are demoralized and short Of
arms and supplies. Many Of their rifles are dis
abled and the Filipinos unable to repair
them owing to the lack of mechanics and ma
terias.
cOasting steamer which has arrived here
reports that the Spanish garrison at Zamboanga
Island Of Mindanao, is holding the rebels in
much the same manner as the Americans held
them while they were in the vicinity Of Manila
Every night the spaniards are subjected to an
Intellectual fusillade. and If they not soon re-
lieved they will he reduced 10 the condition Of
the Spanish garrison at Iloilo previous to its
evacuation of that place.