The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-07
The Administration Confident the
FiIipinos Will Accept Almost Any
Proposition That Is Submitted.
LEADERS ALL WANT OFFICES
AND THEY MAY BE GIVEN PLACES OF
TRUST WHERE POSSIBLE.
Uncle Sam. However, VIII He Chief
ing the Rebels Before Him.

WASHINGTON, May s-The officials of
the State and War Departments are looking
for speedy collapse OF the insurrection in
the Philippines. Not only is this expecta-
tiOn based on the private advices that have
come from the Philippine commission as to
the negotiations that have been going on
between that body and the insurgent repre-
sentat.ves. but also upon the successful de-
velorment OF MacArthur's and Lawtons
campaigns. So far as the commissions re-
ports are concerned they indicate the insur-
gents have at last recognized the inevitable
breakdown of their struggle and are simply
striving by protracting their resistance to
secure the most liberal terms possible In
the erection of a government in the Phil
fppines. They have not in any diplomatic
sense acknowledged the sovereignty of the
United States, but have recognized the
physical domination of our military forces,
and while they have talked more or less Of
independence even at the last moment,
without doubt they will accept readily any
proposition looking to a protectorate. The
Presidents instructions, however, are clear
on this point and the commission under
stands that IL is to take no action in way
Of making promises that will deprive Con-
gress OF q free hand in disposing Of the
future Of the Philippines.
1t is believed an animating purpose in the
Filipino presentation is to make sure that
whatever form of government is adopted
will AFFORD lucrative and influential places
for the many ambitious Philippine leaders.
The administration sees nothing in this as
piration irreconcilable with firm govern
ment over the islands by the United States,
the opportunity for the F1lipnos being
found in q liberal provision for municipal
and even provincial native government in
the islands. United States officials properly
distributed throughout the islands in super
visory capacities, charged to interfere as
little as possible with local affairs, so long
as they are conducted without abuses, and
a few garrisons OF troops at strategic points,
supported by a naval contingent. il Is
thought by officials here. may prove all that
IL necessary for the maintenance of the
United States sovereignty over the islands,
while meeting the native aspirations for
home rule. The Philippine commission has
been instructed on these points and Presi-
dent Schurman especially Is sanguine of the
commissions ability TO bring about the ac-
ceptsnce OF these conditions by the insur-
gents.
Aside from the encouragement conveyed
by the progress Of the peace negotiations,
the officials find a bright promise in the
rapid development of the military cam
paign. The press reports this morning an
nouncing that Lawton is meeting slight re-
sistence in his movement northward; that
the insurgents are fleeing before him, and
that-which Is more important still-they
are casting away their arms, are facts tend
ing TO indicate the approach of the end.
Their throwing away OF their arms is
claimed by the naval officers to be the
suit OF the navys effort TO cut off the sup
ply of incoming ammunition to the insur-
gents Without ammunition there would be
no inducement TO carry along their weap-
ons. The army officers here say 1t is either
lack Of ammunition or breaking down of
their courage that has led the Fflipinos to
abandon their rifles. Moving north from
Balinag. where he is reported this morning,
Lawton Is apparently converging his forces
upon Mount Arayat. distant about sixteen
miles. where Otis predicted the insurgents
would make their last stand. With Mac
Arthur moving northward from San Fer
pando. the two columns should meet before
this last insurgent stronghold within about
four days. If they meet no more than the
ordinary opposition. so that even IL diplom-
acy fails there is hope of the collapse of
the rebellion from purely military reasons
within week or ten days.
The Chicago Times-Herald's correspond
ent says: "AguinaIdo's Representatives to
the American Philippines Commission have
formally admitted the sovereignty of the
United States over the Philippine archipel-
ago. From a member of the Cabinet it is
learned the admission was made TO Presi-
dent Schurman at a conference held by him
with Colonel Argueleses and Lieutenant
Bernal several days ago. 1t was in reply
to direct question put to them by Mr..
Schurman. and the character of the answer
was no doubt as gratifying to the commits
sion as IL is to the President. As the re-
suit Of a dispatch sent TO Mr.. Schurman IL
In the confident expectation OF the President
hand. This result will not be obtained,
though. without concessions. which have
been recommended by the commission and
which. by direction of the President, will
be granted These concessions contemplate
giving 10 the FiIipinos form OF govern
ment modelled after that of the United
States. The member of the Cabinet who
gave the above information said the COM
mission had unanimously adopted a recon-
mendatfon, which was submitted 10 the
President in Mr.. Schurman's dispatch. pro-
vfding three departments for the new gov
ernment OF the archipelago--first, the exec
utive department: second. the legislative de-
partment. and third, the judicial depart
ment"