Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
OTIS WAITING A BIT.
While Negotiations Are on for Peace
the Americans Rest.
The OPINION OF Mr.. SCHURNAy.
The Chairman of the Commission Believes
1t Will Not BE Difficult Matter to
Govern the FilipinOs No Re-
port from Gen. Otis.

Manila, May while 1t is the gen
eral expectation among Americans tina
the Filipino emissaries will return wit
revised proposals from Gen. Antoni
Luna, Maj Gen. Otis is not letting thi
prospect interfere with his prepare
tons for pushing the war. Saturda,
he ordered Ma. Gen. Lawton to return
to Angat, few miles northwest o
Norzagaray, and not to advance ag
excessively while the, negotiations ar,
pending. zen. Macarthur is apparently
acting on the same policy, but he is re
pairing bridges and strengthening tn,
lines of his force. which is stretched
out with four-mile front and within
aquarter of a mile Of the enemy. The
possibilities of peace are gratifying tc
a great majority of the army, who
have regarded the war as an unpleas-
ant duty that must be performed &C.
cording to American traditions.
Hdhild ID ciieeIlui OstI lHt prospect
of return to normal life, though there
are skeptics who remark that truce
would enable the insurgents to rest
until the rainy season, upon which
they have been depending as an impor-
tant aid. The prisoners report that
there are $1,000 refugees north OF San
Fernando. This is not impossible, con-
sidering the thickly populated region
which the Americans have cleared. 1t
seems also that smallpox is spreading
among them. The so-called Filipino
congress will meet at San Fernando
to-day.
When Dean G. Worcester, OF the
United States Philippine commission,
who accompanied the Filipino ennis
saries from Calumpit, said to Col.
Manuel Arguelles that the Americans
were under no obligations to refrain
from fighting, the Filipino officer said:
would you fight while we were dis
cussing terms of peace9' Mr.. Worces-
ter responded with the suggestion that
an armistice would give the Filipino
leaders time to escape. "My God.
where would we escape tor the Fill
pino exclaimed, referring in this to the
menacing hostile tribes behind the
Filipino lines.
In the course of the conference Sat-
urday Jacob &. Schurman, chairman
OF the United States Philippines COM
mission. told Col Arguelaes that if the
insurgents would now lay down their
arms he and his colleagues of the COM
mission would consult them regarding
the plan of government to be sub
mitted to President Mckinley He
said he could not promise that all their
suggestions would be adopted, but he
could assure them that there would be
a presumption in favor of their sug-
gestions, adding that the commits
sioners would be especially DESTROYS of
satisfying the legitimate aspirations of
the Filipinos.
Mr.. Schurman said yesterday to the
correspondent of the Associated press.
believe Col Arguelles is personally sincere
and honest, though have no means of ascer-
tanning the sentiments and aims of the author
tiles behind him. The Filipino people, like |
other ASiatic peoples, have no trust in mere
words without force behind them. but, with !
force, consider a conciliatory spirit of the ut
most Importance, I believe that, when peace
has been established, governing the Filimnos
will not be u difficult matter provided we show
them frmness. justice and kindness. At the
present time they distruSt and dislike us but
these sentiments. which are perhaps not unnatu-
raj will soon be diSpeed by the effects Of the good
government We have promised to establish here.
1t will be the foremost duty of American off,
eials to understand and sympathize with the
Filipinos themselves,
Saturday, before Gen. Otis had issued
the order directing Gen. Lawton to re-
turn to Angat, the troops of his com
mand encountered the rebels in a cir
Gle of hills outside of San Rafael, about
five miles northwest of Angat, dislodg-
ing them. after an hours hard fight
ing. The Americans had three wound
ed. A thousand armed Filipinos fell
back as the Americans advanced.
NO REPORT FROM GEN. OTIS.
Washington, May Mot a line of
official news from Manila was received
yesterday by either the war or the navy
department. Since the opening of the
campaign against the insurgents scarce
ly a day has passed without dispatches
from Gen. Otis and the absence of ad-
vices yesterday is taken by the war
officials to mean that, pending further
negotiations on the part of the Fill
pinos for peace, the situation is precise
ly as Gen. Otis reported it Saturday.
1t is known that supplies are
being pushed forward from Manila
to the troops at the front, in
order that they may be prepared
for an advance movement, should such
action become necessary There has
been no suspension OF hostilitles, but
1t is regarded as likely that Gen. Otis,
while not losing any of the advantage
he has gained, will afford the Filipinos
reasonable time to consider the situa-
ton and terms as he presented them to
the ENJOYS of Gen. Luna. 1t is ex-
pected confidently by officials of the war
department that the way to peace now
being paved, further negotiations will
be opened by the insurgents. 1t is be-
lieved to be probable that the next i'm
ported news received from Manila will
be that the Filipinos have made addi-
tional overtures toward conclusion of
hostlities
without the Formally OF Trial,
City of Mexico, May l.-Sinaloa, in