The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-02
Between General Otis and Agents Of Agui-
naldo Without Result.
FURTHER PROPOSALS EXPECTED
the Promise
Oniv Terms on he Will
Admit Defeat.Sklful Arguing OF Their Agent
Obtain MOI Lenient Condiions.-Claims of the
Philippine of Secret Negotiations with
of the Anne

Manila, April 29.-The conference to-
day between General Otis and Colonei
Manuel Argueleses and Lieutenant
Jose Bornal who came from General
Luna under a flag of truce yesterday
to ask for a cessation Of hostilities, was
fruitless. 1t is understood that the
Philippine commissioners were given
the terms upon which the Americans
will consent to negotiate. The Philip
pinos admit that they have been de-
feated and it is expected that they will
return with fresh proposals from Cen
eral Luna.
The ENJOYS from General Luna were
very Hospitality treated by General
Otis, who provided them with a house
and with a guard and permitted them
to visit friends here. Returning to the
palace this morning, the ENJOYS saw
an Illustration of American resources.
A long train of wagons and pack mules
was just starting with provisions for
General Lawton. who has reached Ma
runco.
The conference at the palace lasted
three hours, Mr.. Jacob G. Schurman,
of the United States Philippine COM
mission, attending, and Admiral Dewey
dropping in for an hour. The discus
sion was mostly between General Otis
and Colonel ArgueleSeS, who had been
selected for the mission by General
Luna because he had known General
Otis.
Colonel Argueleses served on the Phil
ippino committee with the American
authorities before the war in an en-
deavor to smooth over the impending
troubles.
Mr.. Schurman emerged from the pal
ace between the two shock-haired saw
age-looking natives, and drove unat-
tended to the office of the United States
Philippine commission, where they
talked informally for about an hour
Manila is divided between two opin-
ions, the majority believing that the
Philippines desire peace, while others
think they are sparring for time in
which they hope to rehabilitate their de
gained color from the fact that rein
forcements have been sent to the south
opposite the American lines.
Colonel ArguelesSes, also a lawyer,
splendidIy illustrated the Malay subtle
ty at words. While he declared with
apparent frankneSS that the Philippine
leaders wanted a chance to give up the
struggle gracefully, through the con-
gress instead of surrendering ignomin-
ously, and asked for fOrtnight's ar
mistice SO that the congress might be
summoned on May 1St, he endeaVored
to commit the Americans to greater
concessions and wanted terms gained
by treaty. He was told that recognI-
tion of the Philippine government was
impossible and he was given to under
stand that a written guarantee of
amnesty for all insurgents was the ut
most that could be given. Colonel Ar
guelesses argued that Spain had given
similar guarantees and broken them,
and he laid much stress on the Span
iards' honor. He persistently declared
that the Philippines must be permitted
to retire with honor.
In conversation with Mr.. Schurman,
Colonel Argueleses revived the ques-
ton of independence and was referred
to the statement in the commissions S
proclamation that the Philippines
would be given an increased measure
of self-government as soon as they
proved themselves worthy of it. Mr..
Schurman warned Arguelesses that the
longer war was waged and the more
were killed, the stronger would be the
animosities hindering an amicable CO.
operation between TIE two peoples for
Tie prosperity of the islands.
The insurgents have an jns,rreetion
on their own hands, the Macabebees,
traditional foes of the Tagaios are ris-
ing in the north, while the burden of
thousands of hungry and discomfort
ed people who fled before the American
army and who are camping behind the
Philippine lines, multiplies the troubles
pf the Philippine government, the head
quarters of which are now at San
Isidiono, having been removed north
ward when Calumpit fell
PEACE PROPOSITIONS NOT AC.
CEPTED.
Washington, April 29,-TRe folrowins
cablegrams were received today from
General Otis:
Manila, April 49,
"Adlu.art General, Washington:
Conference with insurgent represen
tatives terminated this morning. The.
request cessation of hostufeies three
weeks to enable them to call their con
gress to decide whether to continue
prosecution of war or propose terms o
peace. Proposition declined and ful
amnesty promised on surrender. Be
lieve insurgents tired of war; but seel
TO secure terms of peace through wha
they denominate their representativ
congress. OTIS"
Manila, April 29.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
1.-THE congratulations of his excellen
:cy, the president, for which all CRATE
full, will be conveyed as directed.
"OTIS."
War department officials are yer
much grajtified with the tone of tie re
ply of General Otis to the Philippin
delegation. 1t is considered as com
porting with the dignity of the Unite
States. 1t would not be possible fc
the United States to recognize the ex
istence of the Philippine congress or
Philippine government. 1t is believe
that when General Otis reply is CON
munieated to the Philippine command