The record-union., 1899-04-30
General Otis Firm in Dealing With
Filipino ENJOYS.
will Guarantee Amnesty for All Insurgents
If They Lay Down Their Arms,
But Informs the Peace Representa-
tives That Recognition of the
So-Ca1led Filipino Government
is ImpossibIe-Aguin AL
legged Terms Of Peace.

legged Terms OF Peace.
| MANILA, April 29.-The conference
| to-day between General Otis and Colo
mel Manuel Argueleses and Lieutenant
Jose Bornal, who came from General
Luna under a flag of truce yesterday to
ask for a cessation of hostilities, was
fruitless 1t is understood that the
Filipino Commissioners were given the
terms upon which the Americans will
consent to negotiate. The Filipinos adj
NIT that they have been defeated, and
| it is expected that they will return with
fresh proposals from General Luna.
| The ENJOYS from General Luna were
Hospitality treated by General Otis, who
provided them with a house and with
guard, and permitted them to visit
friends here. Returning to the palace
this morning the ENJOYS saw an illustra-
tion of American resources. A long train
of wagons and packs was just starting
for General Lawton, who has reached
Morunco.
The conference at the palace lasted
three hours, Jacob G. Schmman Of the
United States Peace Commission at
tending, and Admiral Dewey dropping
in for an hour. The discussion was
mostly between General Otis and Colo
mel Argueleses, who had been selected
/ for the mission by General Luna be-
cause he had known General Otis Colo
mel Argueleses served on the Filipino
Commission which met the American
authorities before the war in an en-
deavor to smooth over the impending
troubles.
Mr. Schurman emerged from the pal
ace between two shock-haired, half
savage looking enissaries, and the
three drove unattended to the office
of the United States Philippine Com
mission, where they talked informally
for about an hour. Manila is divided
between two opinions, the majority be-
lieving that the Filipinos desire peace,
while others think they are sparring for
time in which to rehabilitate their de-
moralized army. The latter opinion
gained color from the fact that rein
forcements have been sent to the south.
opposite tffs An ariee1s lines
Colonel Argueleses, who is a lawyer,
aptly illustrated the Malay subtlety
with words While he declared with
apparent frankness that the Filipino
leaders want a chance to give up the
struggle gracefully through their Con-
gress, instead of surrendering igno-
miniously. he asked for a fortnight s
armistice so that the Congress might
be summoned on May LIST. He endeav-
ored to commit the Americans to great
er concessions, and wanted terms guar
anteed by treaty.
He was told that the recognition OF
the Filipino Government was impossi-
/ BILE, and he was told that written
guarantee of amnesty for all insurgents
was the utmost that could be given.
Colonel Argueleses argued that Spain
had given similar guarantees and brok-
en- them, and he laid much stress on the
Spaniard's honor. He persistently de-
clared that the F'ilipinos must be per-
mitted to retire with honor.
In conversation with Mr. Schurman
| Colonel Argueleses revived the ques-
ton of independence, and was referred
to the statement in the Commissioners
proclamation that the Fiipinos would
| be given an increasing mea sure of
self government as soon as they proved
| themselves worthy of it.
/ Mr.. Schurman warned Argueleses
that the longer the war was waged
and the more men were killed the
stronger would be the animosities him
! dering an amicable cooperation be.
tween the two peoples for the prosperity
of the islands.
! The insurgents have an insurrection
ION their hands. The Maccabbees, ira
ditional foes of the TagaloS, are rising
| in the north while the burden of thou
sands of hungry and discontented people
who fled before the American army, and
who are camping behind the Filipino
| lines multiplies the troubles of the
Filipino Government, the headquarters
of which are now at Isdro, having
been removed northward when Calum
pit fell.
FULL AMNESTY IF THEY SUR
RENDER
| WASHINGTON, April 29.-The fol-
lowing dispatches were received this
morning from General Otis:
Manila, April 29.-Adjutant General,
Washington: Conference with insur-
gent representatives terminated this
/ morning Their request was for a ces-
sation of hostilities for three weeks to
enable them to call their Congress to
decide whether to continue prosecution
of war or propose terms of peace. Prop
osition declined, and full amnesty
promised on surrender. Believe insur-
gents tired of war, but seek to secure
terms of peace through what they de-
nominate their representative Congress.
"OTIS''
| WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
GRATIFIED.
/ WASHINGTON, April 29.-The War
Department officials are very much
gratiied with the tone of the reply of
General Otis to the Filipino delegation.
1t is considered as COMFORTING with the
dignity of the United States. 1t would
not be possible for the United States to
recognize the existence of the Filipino
Congress or the Filipino Government.
1t is believed that when General Otis
reply is communicated to the Filipino
commanders that they will ask another
conference, with the expectation of ar
ranging favorable terms of peace.
1t is said at the War Department that
it is not likely to make any further con-
cessions than that of general amnesty.
Peace and freedom it is believed will APP
i peal more strongly to the Filipino army
than any argument Aguinaldo and his
officers may make. Meanwhile it is the
belief of the officials at the War De-
apartment that if the Filipino Generals