The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-17
Otis REFUSES 4 TRUCE.
Unconditional Surrender the Only
Terms For the Fi|ipinos.
GILMORE AND HIS MEN ALIVE.
President Schurman of the Philippine
Commission Talks With the Enjoys
They Return With General otls's Re-
pIy-Full Amnesty Promised II the
Rebels Lay Down Their Arms.

ply-Full Amnesty Promised Ii the
Rebels Lay Down Their Arms.
MANILA (By Cable) During the arst con-
ference of the Filipino emissarles with Ma
jor- General Otis the Filpinos told General
Otis that they had been conquered, but
said that they had no power to surrender
without the authority OF the Filipino Con-
yress. At the second conference, in which
Admiral D ewey and Chairman schurman OF
the American Philippines Commission par
ticipated, the request OF the Fillplnos for
cessation Of hostilities pending the conven'
ing Of Congress was renewed. General
Otis said that he had no authority to grant
an armistice on the basis suggested. Ihe
Filipino ENJOYS returned through the lines
after taking luncheon with Mr. Schurman.
General Otis, in his conference with the
ENJOYS, promised amnesty to all offenders,
provided that the Fllipinos surrendered un-
conditionally. Colonel Arguelles, the
senior envoy, was a member OF the Filipino
Commission appointed to treat with the
Americans last January. He said he be.
lieved that Lieutenant Gilmore and the
missing sailors OF tho Yorktown were now
prisoners in the hands OF the Filipinos and
the vicinity OF Baler by their captors.
Chairman Schurman, OF the American
Philippines Commission, in an interview
said that he had attended the conference
between the Americans and the Filipino
envoys, and at the request OF General Otis
had given expression 20 the sentiments OF
President Mckinley regarding the future
government of the Philippines. After
this conference closed Colonel Arguelles
koI ,,rkI
Schurman alone. The request was granted
and the conference lasted two hours.
ArgueIles began talking about indepen-
dence and then about suspension OF hos
tilities, but Mr.. Schurman declined to dis
cuss these matters. Arguelles said he
thought q suspension OF hostilities pending
the conyening OF the Filipino Congress and
the discussion Of the situation by that body
would satisfy the sentiment OF the Fill.
pinos, giving peace with dignity.
Mr.. Schurman explained that the insur.
gents were merely fighting for constitu:
tlon. They could, ittheir arms were laid
down, now help the American Commission
ers to frame scheme OF government foi
recommendation to President Mckinley,
thus influencing the determination OF
future government, and giving them more
dignity than a suspension OF hostiltties
would. Mr.. Schurman was requested by
Arguelles to write to Aguina!do, but he de.
clined to do so.
Colonel Arguelles impressed Mr.. Schur.
man as being sincere and honorable, but
not as being conversant ~ish the secrets
OF the insurgent politicians. Arguelles's
statements led Mr.. Schurman to believe
that the action OF the Filiplnos In sending
him and his fellow envoy into the American
lines was the beginning Of the end.
The possibilities OF peace are gratifying
to great ajority OF the army. Manila is
cheerful over the prospects OF a return tc
normal life. The prisoners report that
there are $1,000 refugees north OF San Fer.
nando. This Is not impossible, consider
ing the thickly populated region which the
Americans have cleared. 1t seems also
that smallpox is spreading among them.