Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-06
END OF THE REVOLT
Speedy Collapse of the Filipino In
surrection Expected.
THEY APPRECIATE The INEVITABLE
Measure of Home Rule Likely to
Be Granted.
LAST STAND OF THEIR FORCES

The officials of the State and War Depart
ments are looking for a speedy collapse of
the insurrection in the Philippines. Not
only is this expectation 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 representatives, but also upon
the successful development of MacArthurs
and LaUton's campaigns. AS far as the
commissions reports concerned, tt
indicate that the insurgents have at last
recognized the inevitable breakdown of
their struggle for independence and are
simply striving, by protracting their resist
ance, to secure the most liberal terms pos
sible in the erection of government in the
Philippines. They have not in any dipo-
matte manner acknowledged the sovereign
ty of the United States, but, of course, they
have recognized the physical domination
or our mllltary forces, and while they have
talked more or less OF independence even
at the last moment, without doubt they will
eventually accept any proposition looking
to protectOrate. The t'resiuent's : instruc-
tons, however, are clear on this point and
the commission understands that ii is to
take no action in way of making prom
iSes that will deprive Congress OF a free
hand IN providing for the future of the
Philippines. 1t is believed that an animat-
ing purpose in the Filipino presentation is
to make sure that whatever form of gov
ernment Is adopted will afford lucrative
and influential PAGES for the many am
bilious Philippine leaders.
Home Rule for the Natives.
The administration sees nothing in this
aspiration irrecOncilable with q firm gov
ernment over the islands by the United
States, the opportunity for the Filipinos be
ing found in liberal provision for munich
pal and even provincial native government;
in the Philippines. United States officials
properly distributed throughout the islands
in supervisory capacities charged to in
terfere as little as possible with local al
fairs as long as they are conducted without
abuses, and a few garrisons of troops al
strategic points, supported by d naval con-
tIngent, may prove to be al that is neceS-
sary for the effective maintenance of the
United States sovereignty over the island,
while meeting the native aspirations for
home rule. The Philippine commission has
Deen instructed on these points, and PreSi-
dent Schurman, especially, is sanguine of
the commissions ability to bring about the
acceptance of thesa conditions by the in
surgents.
The Military Campaign.
But. aside from the encOurag gement con-
veyed by the progress of the peace negoti-
atiOns, the officials find bright promise in
the rapid development of the military cam
paign. The press reports this morning an
nouncing that Lawton is meeting slight
sistance in his movement northward that
the insurg gsnts are fleeing before him, and,
more important still. that they are casting
away their arms. are facts tending to in
dcate the approach of the end
The throwing way of the arms is claim
ed by the naval officers to be the result of
the Nays effort to cut off the supply Of
incoming ammunition to the insurgents
Without ammunition there would be no in
ducement to carry along their guns. The
army officers here say that 1t means either
lack of ammunition a breaking down of
their courage that has led the Filipinos to
abandon their rifles.
Moving northward from Balinag where
he was reported this morning, I.aWtOn is
apparently converging with his forces upon
Mount Ardyat. distant about sixteen miles,
the point at the bend of the Rio Grande
where Otis predicted the insurgents would
make their last stand. With Macarthur
moving northward from San Fernando, the
two columns should meet before this last
insurgent stronghold within about four
days, If they meet with no more than the
ordinary opposition, so that even if diplo-
macy falls there Is hope of the collapse of
the rebellion from purely military reasons
within a week or ten days.
AdNices From Commissioner Schur-
The State Department has received dis
patch from President Schurman of the
Philippine commission. giving the substance
of the conferences with the representatives
of Aguinaldo and asking for further in
structions. While the text of the dispa tch
is not made public, Secretary Hay stated
that IL showed very satisfactory cond-
ton OF affairs in the Philippines and point
ed to settlement of the difficulties there
The reply of the President to President
Schurman's cablegram stated that he was
very anxious to have the peace negotia-
tions concluded at the earliest possible
moment, and TO this end he desired that no
unnecessary or humi,iating conditions
should be imposed upon the insurgents
They will be required, however to lay
down their arms. This will be the prin-
cinal condition, and until agreement on
this point is reached the negotiations will
not make any progress toward conclu-
sicn.
No Arrangement to Relieve Dewey.
Secretary Long laid today that no ar
rargements whatever had been made for
the relief of Admiral Dewey as commander
in-chief of the Asiatic station. He is
member of the Philippine commission"
said the Secretary, "and his services at
Manila cannot be spared at this time When
the commission concludes it's labors Ad-
miral Dewey will come home for deserved
rest"
GROUNDING OF THE BENNINGTON.
No Disposition at the Navy Depart
ment to Censure.
The following dispatch has been received
at the Navy Department:
MANILA, May 6, 1890.
Secretary Navy, Washington:
The Bennington grounded, shoa1 not on
chart. on north side of Panay Philippine
Islands. Came off 'vthree hours
later. Has been examined ,ers. Dam
age is not serious, but is necessary to dock
vessel. 1 have sent to Hong Kong No
blame attached to any one.
(SIgned) DEWEY
There is no disposition at the Navy De-
partment to censure any one for the
grounding of the Bennington off the Island
of Panay, reported by Admiral Dewey
1t is said to be matter for congra tulation
that ST ch accidents have been SO few since