The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-05-03
FIhIPINOS DCKERING.
Another Fruitless Conference Be-
tween Otis and the Emissaries.
GENERAL LAwToN's ACTIVITY

While the Rebels Delay the Victorious
American Commander Captures Sew
eralVillages and Chastises the Forces
Opposing Him.
Manila, May 3.-Major Manuel Ar
guelles and Lieutenant Jose Bernal,
Of the staff of General Antonio Luna,
returned here yesterday to renew and
press the request of General Luna for
a cessation of hostilities. The two
officers were received in conference by
Major General u. s. Otis. The pro-
posals which they had to submit diff
fered but slightly from those which
they brought from the Filipino COM
mander in the first place. They de-
sired a little time in which to sum-
mon congress, and expressed them
selves as being confident that the con-
gress will decree peace, because the
people desire It. They represent that
Aguinaldo is without power to surren-
der the army, and that congress must
decide the question. Incidentally the
Filipino envoys asserted that Aguin-
aldo had not yet made a fair test of
his strength against the American
forces, because only one-third of his
army has been assembled together.
The ENJOYS presented a letter from
Senior Mabini, president and minister
of foreign affairs in the cabinet of
Aguinaldo, and who is the backbone
of the Filipino organization. The
communication is personal and un-
official, and seconds Major Arguelles'
arguments.
The envoys met General Otis again
today, having slept last night in Man
lila. The second conference was held
this morning, and terminated with
out any definite results.
Whether or not General Luna is sin
cere in his overtures, the negotiations
are giving the insurgents a much need
ed opportunity to rehabilitate their
demoralized forces. The truth is that
dissensions among the leaders of the
rebels is helping on the disorganlzation
of the Filipino army almost as much
as the American campaign.
In the course of the conference with
the Filipino ENJOYS General Otis
agreed with the statement of Major
Arguelles that the people of the Phil
ippine islands wanted peace, and he
added that requests for protection are
pouring in upon him from all parts
of the country.
Major General Lawton was engaged
in hard fighting early yesterday morn
ing. Telegraph communication was
cut at 8 o'clock a. m, and there have
been no telegraphic reports from Gen
eral Lawton since that time, but
couriers have brought dispatches to
General Otis, which were not made
public here.
Major Shields and Lieutenant
Hayne, whe went to the Filipino lines
under a flag of truce, carrying money
and provisions for the American pris-
oners in the hands of the Filipinos,
have returned. They found a span of
the railroad bridge. mile from st.
Tomas, broken. The officers left ten
days provisions for the prisoners on
hand car dt the end of the bridge,
placing the car in the keeping of
Filipinos, whose conduct throughout
the various negotiations has been all
that could be expected of a civilized
nation.
Refugees report that the Filipino
army is deserting San Fernando and
massing at ST. Tomas, where General
Luna's headquarters are located, and
that strong entrenchments are being
constructed at the sides of the railway
and on the swamp front, in the best
positions possible.