The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-01
TREATED LIKE LORDS
THEY RETURN LEADER WITH
MANY PRESENTS.
SAY THE FOE WILL FIGHT TO TaE DEATH
AguinaIdo Visited the Prisoners sand Shook
Hands With Them. The County Full
of Rich Crops. The FipiEOs
Tired of the War.
Tired of the War.


has been an eventful day with the
Northern outposts of the American army
at Angeles. Early this morning the Fill
ipino peace commission appeared. The
American prisoners followed.
Then a commission of three Span
iards to negotiate for the release OF
the Spanish prisoners, departed up
the railroad with a retinue OF servants
and buffalo carts carrying their bag
gage. At San Fernando the train car
rying the commission and prisoners to
Manila met a special carrying Major
General Otis and Generals Lawton,
Bates and Schwan to Angeles on u
tour of inspection.
A party Of correspondents and pro-
tographers waited in the trenches or
the American outpost Eefore the wreck
ed bridge across the river separating
the two armies, and at 3 O'Clock
group came down the track, waving
Il handkerchief on bamboo and halt
ed before the bridge. A bugle then
sounded the attention" and Major
Shiels, of General Wheaton's staff, and
five soldiers, with a raised handker-
chief picked their way across the
bridge.
The Eilipinos introduced themselves
General Alejandrino, a slender, bright
looking young man of thirty-two, vet
cram of the rebellion against Spain;
Lieutenant Colonel Oriano and Major
Ortes the latter of German blood and
speaking English fuently1 There soon
appeared a second party of fourteen
Americans marching between files of
insurgent soldiers. They looked the
picture of health and were dressed in
neat Filipino uniform of blue gingham
and were carrying monkeys and other
presents from their Filipino friends.
Then General Wheeler, being anxious
to see the Filipinos, forded the river,
with a correspondent mounted behind
the general and the staff horses carry
ing double. Wheeler shook hands with
the Filipinos and there was a gem
eral exchange OF greetings while the
photographers piled their vocation
across the track.
The file of barefoot Filipino soldiers
curiously surveyed the line of stall
wart American sentinels, whose ply
sique contrasted strongly with the little
brown man, who looked too small for
their guns.
General Wheeler who had no official
connection with the incident, returned
to General Macarthur and General
Wheaton appeared at the other end
Of the bridge. The commissioners and
prisoners forded the river, dismounted
and saluted.
General MacArthur's first inquiry was
for Lieutenant Gilmore's party, and
General Alejandrino replied vaguely
that they were lin the north.
General Macarthur asked if they
would be released and General Alejan-
drino said:
Il must consult with my government
before answering"
The prisoners unanimously praised
their treatment. One man said:
We have been given the best the
country afforded, fine houses for quar-
tiers, servants, good food, plenty of wine
and a money allowance. Aguinaldo
visited us and shook hands. Three Of
the boys refused to shake hands with
him"
Judging from the stories of the prison
ers they have been lionized by the peo-
pie. They report that FIVE sailors, sur
vivors of Naval Cadet Woods party,
arrived at Tarlac Wednesday. Though
small Importance is attached to their
they agree in saying that the
FiHpinos all say they are tired of war,
but will fight for independence to the
last"
The released soldiers also say the idea
Of independence has taken firm hold
of the Filipinos, and they threaten,
if conquered, to exterminate the Ameri-
cans by assassination. Aguinaldo
seemed popular among all the people
the prisoners met.
The country, they say. is full of rich
crops. All the prisoners have stories
OF interesting experiences. Those cap
tured at Caloocan were marched along
the railroads at night. through towns oc-
cupied by the Americans While Agui
naldo only offered to release the nriS-
oners in Tarlac, there is great disap-
pointment at the fact that Lieutenant
more's party failed to arrive.
The Filipino commission does not
arouse great expectations as to the
result Of it's visit. Major Ortes said
frankly that they were very tired OF
the war, but they decline TO say what
they bring.
The Filipnos lunched with General
Young at San Fernando. Their omar
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