The Mena star., 1899-05-25
They Discuss the Details of the Scheme of Government with the
 American Commissioners.
FILIpINOS PLEASED WITH THE PLAN.
Rebel Commissioners Save That They Lay Down Their Arms Without Terms Our Army Officers Believe It Is Best to Whip the Insurgents Thoroughly.

Manila, May 24.-The Filipino com missioners spent the day at the resi- dence of the American commissioners. scheme of the government and the peace proclamation details, asking for information as to what personal rights would be guaranteed them. Col. Charles Denby, of the American commission, explained that they would be the same as under the United States constitution. The Filipinos also desired information as to the school system to be estab- lishea and approved of the American policy of the separation of church and state They chiefly objected to the scheme on the ground that it gave them personal liberty, which they knew they would have, but did not give them po- litical liberty. Finally, the Filipinos said they were personally pleased with the plan, but could not indorse it offi- cially.
 During the day the Filipino commits sioners called upon Mai. Gen. Otis and they will repeat their call tomorrow. There is much comment here on the outing the Filipino envoys are enjoy ing They are arrayed in blue coats, scarlet trousers and gold lace and drive about the city, reveling in the atten- tions bestowed on them, which is evil dently exceedingly gratifying to them. They are the centers of continual levees at Filipino houses, where they have been entertained and have had every opportunity to advance the interests of the insurrection. Military sentiment disapproves of the Filipinos being lion- ized by the civilian element.
 Gen. Otis, from ante-bellum experi- ence and owing to the Filipinos' fond ness of discussion, has maintained the attitude he assumed with the first com mission. He has had no offer to make the Filipinos save that they lay down their arms without terms. The army be- heves that if we intend to remain in the Philippine islands it will be cheaper in the long run to whip the insurgents so thoroughly that they will be glad of the opportunity to surrender, rather than barley with them and make terms which they would construe as a compromise The army is also of the opinion that while the first course may cost more men and more money in the beginning than the latter, it will prove an e1fectual damper upon future insurrection whereas if the war is ended by compromise, the profes- sional revolutionists among the Tagals may be encouraged to try again in few years.
 Prof. Schurman, speaking of the commissioners policy, said: ''I believe force was necessary because they thought us weddings and towards, but l believe also that conciliation should accompany force. My endeavor has been, ever since l came here, to ex- ercise conciliation. The professor is most optimistic as to the results of the negotiations and believes the scheme of government proposed by the United States commission will ulti- mately be adopted.
 Rostario, a Filipino congressman, wealthy resident of Manila and for merly Aguinaldo's commissary gen eral, accompanied by an insurgent cap tain, called upon Maj. Gen. Otis to-day and announced that i've desire to sur render our persons and property into the hands of the Americans"