Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-26
PROPOSITION 70 REBELS.
The United States Philippine Com
mission Submits a Plan in Writ
ing to the Filipinos.
THE OFFER ENDORSED At WASHINGTON.

The Proposed Form OF Government for the
Philippines Modelled on That in Cuba
Military Operations Continuing with
Unabated vigor-Gen. Otis Cablegram
ON the Situation.
Manila, May 23.-Prof. Schurman,
head of the United States Philippine
commission, has submitted the follow
ing written proposition to the FilipinoS:
While the final decision as to the form of gov
eminent is in the hands OF the congress, the
president under his military powers, pending
the action of congress, stands ready to offer the
following form of government: A governor TO
be appointed by the president; a cabinet to be
appointed by the governor general: all the
judges to be appointed by the president; the
heads of departments and judges to be either
Americans or Filipinos or both, and also gen.
eral advisory council, its members to be chosen
by the people by form of suffrage to be here
after carefully determined upon. The president
earnestly desires that bloodShed cease and that
the people of the Philippines at early date
enjoy the largest measure of Self-government
compatible with peace and order.
The United States commission pre-
pared the scheme and the president
cabled his approval of the form of the
document. The Filipinos have made
no definite proposition except for a ces-
sation of hostilities until they can pre-
sent the question of peace to the peo-
pie. Prof. Schurman told the Filipinos
they had no means of gathering the
people together, as the Americans con-
troll most of the ports. He also re-
minded them that a liberal form of
government was offered them and
pointed out that it was better than the
conditions existing under Spanish rule.
Cozaga president of the Filipino com
mission replied that nothing could be
worse than Spanish rule and admitted
that the form of government proposed
was liberal.
The Americans Offer Upheld.
Washington, May 23.-The report
from Manila that form of government
has been proposed to the Filipinos, in
Guiding a governor general, cabinet
and advisory council, is confirmed at
the state department., where it is said
this is the general line of action on
which the authorities here at Manila
are proceeding. The plan is the out
growth of numerous cables and mail
exchanges between President Schur
man, of the Philippine commission,
and Secretary Hay, as well as advices
from Gen. Otis and Admiral Dewey. The
proposition to have a governor general
and cabinet appointed by the president
is substantially the same as the system
now in operation in Cuba. Like the
Cuban system, the administration
would be military in character for the
time being, at least while conditions
are unsettled. The authorities here
are acting on the theory that, as in the
case of Porto Rico, it will be for con-
gress to establish the permanent form
of government for the islands. 1t was
| understood at the time Maj. Gen. Law
ton went to Manila that Gen. Otis
| would become governor general,
| while Gen. Lawton assumed active
direction of military affairs. 1t
is not improbable that this plan
| might be carried out if the FilipinOs
accept the plan now proposed, thus
making Gen. Otis the first governor
general, with Gen. Lawton and Gen.
Macarthur occupying positions similar
| to those of Gems. Ludlow and Wood in
| Cuba. The proposed advisory council
| is also similar to that in Cuba, where
| Gov. Gen. Brooke has the advice of a
| native council as well as that of the
military officers under him.
Military Operations Continuing.
Manila, May 23.-In spite of the
presence of the Filipino commissioners
| in Manila the military operations con-
| tinue with undated vigor. The visit
ors were apparently ignorant of the
true condition of affairs here. Upon
| their arrival they were Immediately in
undated with invitations, covering
both day and night, and express sur
prise at the condition of affairs within
our lines. They had been led to be-
lieve that everything was chaotic and
| are delighted at the reception accorded
| them.
| Word received from persons who
have arrived from the interior show
that no troops are left in the northern
provinces. They are all drafted south
/ of the war. The villages on the west
| coast are almost deserted and the Ilo-
canos especially are DESTROYS of joining
the Americans, if only for the purpose
of crushing the Tagals. Many, natives
| of Ben Quot and IlOcos said that if the
| Americans had not arrived civil war
would necessarily have ensued owing
to the friction between the Tagals and
| the inhabitants of other provinces
| 1t is added that the only Filipino
| troops now left are 1000 men under
| Gen. Luna at Tarlac and about 1000
under Gen. Pho del Pillar. Even these
| are demoralized and short of arms and
| supplies. Many of their rifles are dis
abled and the Filipinos are unable to
/ repair them, owing to the lack of me-
| chanics and materials for so doing.
| Otis CabIegram the Situation.
Washington. May 23.-The war de-
| partment has received the following
| cablegram from Gen. Otis
| Manila May 22.-Adjutant General, Washing
| ton: Conditions follows: In Bulucan
| province, troops maintained at Cuinga, Balinag
| San Miguel Lawton proceeding down Rio
Crande river from San Isidro: has driven enemy
/ westward from San Antonio, Cariao and Arayat,
| where he was joined yesterday by Kobbe's col
| umn; viii reach Santa Ana and Candaoa to-day
Mac Arthur still at San Fernando and VIII oc