Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-04

The latest adviccs from Manila will
cause a general feeling of qualification
and will be especially welcome TO those
who have husbands, sons and brothers
in our Philippine army. They convey
the promise that the conflict is nearing
the end and that perhaps our soldiers
will not be called upon TO do any more
such fierce fighting as they have done
since the aggressive campaign against
the Filipinos began. We have learned
that General Otis is apt to be somewhat
optimistic, but there seems TO be war
rant for what he says regarding the
perilous condition of the Filipino gov
ernment, with its army defeated, dis
couraged and scattered. II is quite con
cevable that the fight of Aguinaldo
from Malolos, without having made any
defense of that place, has weakened his
prestige and influence with the soldiers
and the people, while at the same time
imprcssing upon them the hopclcssncss
of armed conflict with the Americans.
If such is the case the disintegration of
the Filipino forces may become rapid
and while portion of them may adopt
guerrilla warfare it is possible most of
them, when assured of safety and pro
lection, will lay down their arms and
come within the American lines
This is the hopeful outlook which the
latest reports convey and from the in
dications the situation should grow
more favorable. Natives who fled from
their homes as the Americans advanced
are returning and as they find good
treatment they will induce others to
return and accept American protection.
This must prove potent influence upon
the entire population. Still 1t is to be
expected that there will be n consider
able number of the Filipinos who will
maintain resistance for a time and
few thousand of them, carrying on Il
guerrilla warfare, can make great deal
of trouble. The rainy season, when the
Philippine climate becomes pestilental
to white men, is close at hand and will
give opportunity to the natives to carry
on guerrilla fighting with the advantages
on their side. Such warfare appears to
be apprehended by the military authori
ties and it is said that the employment
of natives to fight guerrillas is proposed,
since General Otis will not make cam
paign with American troops during the
rainy season. The plan of employing
natives, however, is not likely to be
adopted, for the reason that such an
experiment would probably prove any
thing but satisfactory These people
could not be relied upon for fidelity and
efficiency in fighting other natives.
Spanish experience with them is sutt-
cient evidence of this. Doubtless when
peace is established it will be found
practicable to organize Il native force
under American officers, but it would be
hazardous to do this while we are at
war with the FilipinoS.
Meanwhile it would seem that some
effort should be made in the direction
of Cancellation. All the members of the
Philippine commission are now at Ma
Mia and the time appears most oppor-
tune for another appeal to the Filipino
people to accept the rule and authority
of the United States. Having demon
Strated our power, can we not honor
ably say to them that we desire peace
and good will and meet Aguinaldo and
the other Filipino leaders half way in
an effort to end hostilities and estab-
lish order? This is understood TO be
the object of the commission and the
time seems at hand for putting it into
effect