Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-07-15
ON MISSION TO THE SULUS
General Bates Sent to Seek
an Understanding With
the Sultan.
NEGOTIATIONS IN CAVITE
Anti ExpanSionists Said to Have Sue
ceeded in Raising False Hopes
Among the FiIipinos.

General Bates Goes I'm the Capacity
of Agent of the United states Cow
ernment-Evidences of Strife Re-
ported to Exist in the Ranks of
Aguinaldo's Followers.
Manila, July 14.-Gen. Bates, in the
capacity of agent of the United States
Government, has sailed for Jolo to ne
gotiate with the Sultan of Jolo a basis
of the future relations of the Jolo Tor
Suiul Archipelago, including the Basi-
lans as naval station. The Sultan
the evacuation of the Spaniards multi
flying the treaty of 1878.
Gen. Bates will explain to the Sultan
that the Americans succeeded the
Spanards in the treaty, assuming its
obligations and continuing the annui-
ties it provides for. He will also pre-
sent to the Sultan $4,000 in Mexican
money as an evidence of good WILL
The local administration of the Jolos
will remain unchanged. The Sultan
will enforce the law, and will also be
expected to ny the American flag con-
tinuously and cooperate with the
Americans to maintain order and sup
press piracy. The Sultan will retain
possession of the pearl fishing and the
island trade, which will be conducted
in such a way as to forward the de-
velopment of the resources of the is
lands for the mutual benefit of the
Americans and the natives.
The American newspapers received
here by the last mail seem to think
that the iRsurIection here will soon be
over. without considering the diff
,culties of the situation. Experience
shows that during the rains operations
will be much restricted. and possibly
suspended entireIv. The recent cy-
clone kept everything at standstill
for a week. The Americans are now
exchanging the veteran volunteer regi-
ments for so-called regulars, who are
really SO per cent. recruits. The opin-
ion is general here that it will require
a comparatively large force to re-
establish peace. because it will be nee
essary to garrison many places in
order to protect the peaceful natives
from the Filiplnos. Gen. Otis. how
ever. still believes that 10000 effective
troops will be sufficient.
The negotiations. which have been
proceeding for some time in the Cavite
province, offer a fair prospect of sue
cess. Aguinaldo knows what is going
on. and unless he is able to prevent
a contamination Of the negotiations
the insurrection will receive the hard
est blow it has yet had. Gen. Otis is
hopeful of their success.
The action of the anti-expansionists
in America are responsible for much
announcement to the natives. The do
ings of these persons are fully reported
TO the Filipinos, who are ignorant of
their real want of importance and
count largely upon such support The
native newspapers are full of the story
that now that the fall elections will
choose a new Congress. the sure result
will he the overthrow of the Admins
tration and the return of government
of independence. 1t is doubtful If half
a dozen Filipinos understand the mean
ing of independence. Most of them
think it means that the Americans will
back an unlimited game and let the
Filipinos play as much as they please.
The best men among them are unable
TO comprehend real Republican gov
eminent
iNNiVt - iiVil iiit uOiti vary concern
Ing the Filipino situation. The Span
ish Commissioners who We're sent to
Tarlac to negotiate for the release of
the Spanish prisoners at first reported
that the natives were keeping well to-
gether and were strong and satisfied.
Privately however, the Commission
ers are saying thai they saw evidences
of considerable strife in the Filipino
camp and admit that there is actually
a great deal of dissension.
The typhoon has ended and com
merce has been resumed.
Lieut.. Reeves of the 18th Infantry
was attacked and wounded by two bo-
10 men at an outpost near San Fer
nando.
Girl Murdered In n Field