New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1899-10-14
Filipino Proposals Of Peace Again
Rejected by this Government.

released most OF their American prisoners
of war. They brought IA into the Ameri
can lines at Angeles on the 3Oth and sur
had been captured last July, and their
freedom was decreed by the Filipino con-
gress. When surrendered they were in
perfect health, were dressed in new Fill
ipino uniforms, were carrying presents
from Filipino friends, and were unanimous
in their praise of the treatment they had
received. Regarding the feeling of the
people among whom they were captives,
they say that the idea of independence
has taken firm hold of the Filipinos, and
that Aguinaldo is universally popular.
They report the country occupied by the
Filipinos as full of rich crops.
The Filipino officers who arranged for
tho surrender of their American prisoners
also requested the American authorities to
consent to conference between Gen.
Alejandrino, one colonel and two leuten-
ant colonels in behalf of the Filipinos, and
Gen. Otis. In response, permission was
granted for Gen. Alejandrino and two
other officers to enter the American lines.
On the. 1st Gen. Alejandrino and two
others appeared, and were conducted to
Manila. They brought with them written
message from Aguinaldo, signed as presi
dent of the Filipino republic, expressing
his desire for peace and asking Gen. Otis
to receive civilian commission of the
Filipino government to confer regarding
terms. Gen. Otis refused to recognize the
Filipino government in this or any other
way. He said he was willing to cor
respond with Aguinsldo as general of the
insurgent forces, but not as president of
civil government. A second conference
and on the Sd Gen. Alejandrino and his
associates returned to the Filipino capital
at Tarlac The full text of Gen. Otis's
official report upon the subject follows:
'"Three insurgent officers permitted to
enter our lines at Angeles, with twelve
of our soldiers and two citizens whom
they wish to present as released prisoners.
Yesterday in conference endeavored to
present communication from insurgent
government, which was declined. Then
presented paper signed by ten Of the
soldiers, in which soldiers gave parole
this received and held in abeyance. In
surgent officers then said that Aguinaldo
desired to end the war and send civil
commission for conference, and were in
formed that it would not be received.
They will be sent beyond lines tomorrow.
The whole affair believed to be ruse to
obtain some acknowledgment by the
United States authorities. All soldiers
returned were stragglers from within our
lines, captured by robbers. They say they
were obliged to sign parole to secure re-
lease, though two refused to signed. The
whole affair is of no signifcace viewed
as attempt at masquerading."
While the Filipino officers were in
Manila they visited the hospitals and dis
tributed money among wounded Filipinos,
after which they made calls upon friends
and received visitors at their hotel.
Natives thronged the plaza in front of the
hotel all day, and when the Filipino
officers emerged the crowd removed their
hats deferentially, shouted and cheered
E.. ~ -, ;olo foof
followed them respectfully through the
streets. Gen. Alejandrino, in interviews
after the failure of his mission, is reported
to have said:
"We desired peace, but peace with in
dependence and honor. Our government
is willing to accept protectorate from the
United States. We fought Spain because
we did not wish to be colony, and we
Filipinos believe that colonial government
administered by the United States would
be worse than one under Spanish rule,
because you know nothing of how to
govern colonies. We do not want to be
experimental with for a century while
you Americans learn how to handle
colonies. If England were in America 8
place this contest would be another, be-
cause England has well-defned colonial
policy. The Americans, however, will
never understand us. You are another
race and you are not in sympathy with our
customs or our desires. We, moreover,
know what kind of government we want
and are able to administer it. Our people
cannot understand why the powerful
American nation wants to crush us like so
many insects. We know that you can con-
| quer us, because you are rich and because
our soldiers cannot fight against those
from the United States successfully. We
want an honorable peace, ,ibut if we cannot
obtain it we will fight until death for our
institutions. Fighting in our way we can
maintain state of war and the necessity
for a large army Of occupation indefinitely
You Americans are holding few miles
around Manila, narrow line of railroad
to Angeles and circle of country around
San Fernando. But you are ignorant OF
the resources of Luxon. We hold the i'm
mense, rich, productive northern country
from which to draw. Our people contri-
butte the money and food which maintain
our army, and this is done at minimum
of cost. 1t is an interesting question what
the cost to the American people is ol
maintaining the American troops in the
Philippines. We do not, of course, know
the amount, but it must be excessive. We
Perceive what an American soldier re-
quires in this climate. On the other hand
q Filipino exists with handful Of rice
and a pair of linen trousers. We do moi
have to pay our soldiers, and can prac
tically hold mp their wages as long as We
desire. Even without our present supply
Of arms and ammunition we could keel
your army occupied for years. With an
expense that graws daily, how long viii
your people stand It'll The Filipino peo
ple do not wish to continue the fighting
We have no army contractors. We havt
L. h,,n:xoo. man p,ok;u~ profifs from thS