The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-01
Insurgents Twixt the Devil and the
Deep Sea, Hostile Tribes Being ia
Rear and Americans in Front.
THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES
MANY WITH SMALLPOX, ALSO TROU-
BLING AGUINALDO's ARMY.
Filipino Congress to Meet To-day
Work of His Brigade Near Manila.

MANILA. April 30. $40 p. m.-while 1t is
the general expectation among Americans
that the Filipino emissaries will return with
revised proposals from General Antonio
Luna. Major General Otis is not letting this
prospect interfere with his preparations for
pushing the war. Yesterday he ordered
Major General Lawton TO return to Angat,
few miles northwest OF Norzagaray. and
not TO advance aggressively while the nego-
tiations are pending. General Macarthur is
apparently acting on the same policy. but he
Is repairing bridges and strengthening the
lines OF his force, which Is stretched out
with a four-mile front and within a quarter
OF mile OF the enemy.
The possibilities OF peace are gratifying to
q great majority of the army who have re-
garded the war as an unpleasant duty that
must be performed according TO American
traditions.
Manila Is cheerful over the prospects of
return 70 normal life, though there are skep-
tics who remark that truce would enable
the insurgents to rest until the rainy season,
upon which they have been depending as an
important aid.
The prisoners report that there are 75,-
o0o refugees north of San Fernando. This is
not impossible, considering the thickly pop
ulated region which the Americans have
cleared. II seems also that smallpox is
spreading among them.
The so-called Filipino congress will meet
at San Fernando tomorrow.
When Dean c. Worcester. Of the United
States Philippine commission, who accom-
panied the Filipino emissaries from Calum-
pst, said to Col Manuel Argueles that the
Americans were under no obligations to re-
piled:
'wculd you fight while we are discussing
terms of peace?"
Mr.. Worcester responded with the sugges-
tion that an arnistice would give the Flip
mo leaders time to escape.
my God, where would we escape to?" the
Filipino exclaimed. referring in this to the
menacing hostile tribes behind the Filipino
lines.
WHAT AGUINALDO EXPECTED.
Colonel Arguelles told the correspondent
Of the Associated Press that he was much
disappointed In the results of his mission.
He said also that Aguinaldo expected CAL
umpit to be the cemetery OF the American
army.
Lieutenant Colonel Wallace. of the First
Montana Regiment. Major Adams and Ma
jor Shields. who slept on Friday night in
General Luna's camp. where they went to
inform the F1lipinos that their ENJOYS wouid
return n safety, found the Filipino COM
mander cordial. the Filipino troops remov-
Ing their hats as the Americans passed.
The Filipinos complained to them that the
Americans used explosive bullets which is
not the fact. The American officers retorted
that the copper shells used by the Filipnos
are worse than explosive bullets. General
Luna said he regretted being obliged to kill
Americans. but that was his business.
General Wheaton entertained Colonel Ar
sueiles and Lieutenant Jose Bernal and pro-
sioed them with horses TO return TO their
camp.
In the course of the conference yesterday
JACOB Z. Schurman, chairman of the United
states Philippines commission told Colonel
Arsueiies that IL the insurgents would now
lay down their arms he and his colleagues
or the commission would consult them re-
garding the plan of government to be SUBJ
mitted to President Mckinney He said he
could not promise that all their suggestions
would be adopted. but he could assure them
that there would be presumption in favor
OF their suggestions. adding that the COM
rissioners would be especially desirous of
satisfying the legitimate aspirations of the
Filipinos.
When Colonel Arguelles protested that nm
conditional surrender would be humiliation
Mr.. Schurman replied: There would be no
humiliation In General Otis treating our
brother F1Iipinos as General Grant treated
our brother Americans at Appon.attox."
Mr. SCHURMAN'S VIEW.
Mr.. Schurman said to-day 10 the corre-
spondent Of the Associated Press: II be-
lieve Colonel Arguelles is personally sincere
and honest. though 1 have no means of
sscertaining the sentiments and aims of the
authorities behind him. The Filipino people
like other Asiatic peoples. have no trust In
mere words. without force behind them but
with force. consider a conciatory spirit of
the utmost Importance / believe that. when
peace has been established. governing the
F1lipinos will not be a difficult matter. pro-
vided We show them hrmness. justice and
kindliness. At the present time they dis
trust and dislike Us. but these sentiments,
which are perhaps not unnatural. will soon
be dispeiled BY the effects OF the good gov
ernment We have promised to establish here.
il will be the foremost duty OF American
oficials 10 understand and sympathize with
the Filipinos themselves
Yesterday. before General Otis had issued
the order directing General Lawton TO re-
turn TO Angat. the troops of his command
encountered the rebels In circle of hills
outside San Rafael. about five miles north
west OK Angst, disodging them after an
hours lighting. The Americans had three
wounded. A thousand armed Fiiipinos fell
back as the Americans advanced.
The villagers meet General Lawton. offer
ing him provisions They dare nos fee into
the mountainous country on the cast. be-