Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-05-07

Washington, May b,-1ne oHlclalS Oh
the State and War Departments are
looking for speedy collapse of the
instruction in the Philippines. Not
only is the expectation based on the
private advices that have come from
the Philippisa commission as to the
negotiations lat have been going on
between that body and the inSurgent
representatives, but also of the success
full development of MacArthur's and
Lawton's campaigns.
So far as the commissions reports
are concerned, they indicate that the
insurgents have at least recognized the
inevitable breakdown of their struggle
and are simply striving, by protractng
their resistance, to secure the most
liberal terms possible on the occasion
of a government in the Philippines.
They have not in any diplomatic sense
acknowledged the sovereignty of the
United States, but have recognized the
physical domination of our military
forces, and while they have talked more
or less of independence even at the last
moment, without doubt they will ac-
cept readily any proposition looking to
a protectorate The Presidents in
structions, however, are clear on this
point and the commission understands
that it is to take no action in way
Of making promises that will deprive
Congress of a free hand in disposing of
the future of the Philippines.
1t is believed that an animating pur-
pose in the Filipino presentations is to
make sure that whatever form of gov
eminent is adopted will afford lucra-
tive and influential places for the many
ambitious Philippine leaders. The ad-
ministration sees nothing in this as
piration irreconcilable with firm gov
eminent over tsIe Islands By the
United states, the opportunity for the
Filipinos being found in liberal pro-
vision for municipal and even provin-
cial native government in the islands.
United Etayes ohi3ial3 properly dis
tributed Thu ougAoaI the Islands in
supervisory capacities, charged to in
tarfere as litlIe as pojslDIe with local
affairs so Ions as they are conducted
without abuses, ard a few garrisons
of troops az strategic points, supported
by a ma al contin sent, it is thought by
officials here may Lroye to be ali thai
is necessary for the effective mainten-
ance of the United States soyereign,y
over the islands while meeting the ma
tive aspirations for home rule.
The Philippine commission has been
instructed on these points and Presi-
dent Schurman especially is sanguire
of the commissions ability to bring
about the acceptance of these condl-
tions by the insurgents.
Aside from the encouragement. con-
veyed by the progress OF the peace
negotiations the Clficials frd a bright
promise in the rapid development of
the military campaign.
The press reports this morning an
nouncing that Lawton is meeting slight
resistance in his movement n0rthward:
that the insurgents are fleeing before
him, and more important still that
they are casting away their arms, are
facts tending to indicate the approach
of the end. The throwing away OF the
arms is claimed by the naval officers
to be the result of the navy's effort to
cut off the supply of incoming ammu-
milton to the insurgents, without am
munition there would be no induce
ment to carry along their weapons
The army officers here say that it is
either lack of ammunition or a break
Ing down of their courage that has led
the Filipinos to abandon their rifles
Moving northward from Balinag,
where he is reported this morning
Lawton is apparently converging with
his forces upon Mount Arayat, 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 diplomacy fails there is
hope of the collapse of the rebellion
from purely military reasons within a
week or ten days.