Connecticut western news., 1899-05-25
REBELS REJECT TERMS
So a Dispatch From Manila
 Asserts.
PRESIDENT sOHURMAN OPTIMISTIC
Cable. to the State Department That
 All Is Going well-stories of Cruel
 Treatment of Yorktown Prisoners. Luna Is Dictator.


 Manila, May 24.--Four of the Filipino commissioners called early yesterday upon General Otis. but made no official propositions relative to surrender. They met the American commissioners later and held four hours conference.
 It is said that the Filipinos were dis mayed at the terms offered in President McKinley's cablegram. Gregorio del Pi- lar turned red under his brown skin when he realized that he was being of fered nossing but vague promises of possible representation for his people in case of compliance with the American demand that they lay down arms.
 Every Filipino shrugged his shoulders as glowing prophecies of the future, aft CT the cessation of hostilities. were out lined to them by the members of our commission.
 They said that they asked for inde- pendence and liberty with dignity under the protection of the United States and were now offered nothing but the indefi- nite assurance that individual natives ought to hold official positions under the proposed government.
 The commissioners have great dread of the significance of future congress sional legislation. They will accept not a single condition of those proposed. but will return dissatisfied to Aguinaldo and report the results.
 Major Zailcita, one of the Filipino commissioners. said:
 Want Better Terms.
 "As the ultimate form of government rests in the hands of the American con- gress the present proposals are merely provisional. The result of the present plan would be that the Americans would be at the head of every department of government, as the Filipinos' tenure of office would depend upon the will sf the Americans. We think we can get bet ter terms"
 A leading banker of Manila says: "The present proposals are only a repe- tition of the provisions of the commits sion's proclamation. That means that this Is an American colony. You have adopted the imperialistic policy. Then why talk over matters with the envoys of hostile force. which must be crush ed before such a government as Is pro- posed can be establishment"
 The opinion of military officials here is that the negotiations merely encour- age the insurgents to hold out for better terms. especially since the commanding American general is not consulted in the negotiations.
 General Luna is bound to continue the fight for independence. Negotiations which encourage the natives to hope to obtain great concessions may cost the lives of many American soldiers.
 Rosario. a Filipino congressman, for merly Aguinaldo's commissary general, accompanied by an insurgent captain, has surrendered to General Otis.
 The surrender was arranged by Chap lain Pierce of the Fourteenth regiment, who knew Rosario before the war. Ro- sario corresponded in cipher with Gen eral Luna. so he has been closely watch ed by the officials at Tarlac since the in surrection has been weakening. Rosario only escaped by psrsuading General Lu- ma to send him on a secret mission to Manila to collect funds. With the cap- tain, ten men and their families. Rosa rio travelled at night through swamps and mountains, passed the lines of both armies and entered Manila He has been liberated on parole.
 According to Rosario's story General Luna Is absolute dictator and Aguinaldo fears him. Every Filipino leader he adds, suspects the others of treachery.