Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-04

anu NATIVES Appeal for protection.
Manila, April 30.-The conference
Saturday between Gen. Otis and Col.
Manuel Arguelese and Lieut.. Jose
Bernal, who came from Gen. Luna I'M
der flag of truce Friday to ask for
cessation of hostilities, was fruitless.
1t is understood that the Filipino COM
mlssioners were given the terms on
which the Americans will consent to
negotiate. The Filipinos admit that
they have been defeated and it is ex-
pected that they will return with fresh
proposals from Gen. Luna. Aguinal-
do had asked for an armistice to give
him time to let his congress deter
mine whether the war should continue
or not. But Gen. Otis refused to rec
ognize native argument in any form.
He maintains that Aguinaldo made
war on his own responsibility and says
that he can make peace the same way
If he wants to do so. The American
commander does not mean to give the
rebel chief time to rally and recuper-
ate his shattered forces
USI!SNS, ISll. OllS SAID, that TIE
insurgents are thoroughly demoralized.
They had considered Calumpit the
strongest position on their lines. 1t
was there that they made their sue
cessful stand against the Spaniards in
1896. Many of their former trenches
were still there, not having been de-
stroyed, and were used by the insur-
no A
out. | presume after that defeat the
Filipinos lost all confidence and spirit.
The emissaries who have been here
came to ask for an armistice until MAY
l, when the Filipino congress, they
said, would convene and discuss the
question as to whether the natives of
this island favor a declaration of peace
or continuation of war. l told them
the only terms that would be &C
cepted by the Americans would be I'M
conditional surrender with amnesty
to all insurgents bearing arms. The
representatives of Aguinaldo did not
think the insurgents would agree to
this. They said it was not consistent
with their idea of honor, and if forced
to surrender the peace thus procured
would not be permanent. / considered
this expression in the nature OF
threat, and l so told the insurgents.
and requested the officers in whose
company they had come to the palace
to take them back to the lines. |
consider that possibly the insurgents
are only sparring for time in Iuaking
this request for an armistice. Further
aggressive action on our part will be
necessary"
Tell your general" said Gen Otis
to the Filipino representatives, chat
he must lay down his arms without
any reservation whatever. [ cannot
recognize the Filipino government or
its congress. If you wish peace, sur
render. You will be allowed perfect
amnesty. There will be no punish
ment for acts already committed.
America forgives you. The proclama-
ton issued by my government is sin
cere, and you shall share with our own
people the fullest liberty. But now
you must make a complete and unre-
served surrender. You are compelled
to admit that you are defeated Amer
lea did not begin this war 1t was of
your own making There is a big army
on the way from the United States ana
there is nothing for you to do but sur
render This is absolute
Col. Arguellese in reply said that he
was not in position 10 make definite
answer to the demand, which was un-
expected. He said that he would re-
turn to his leader and that he and the
lieutenant might be expected back
with another proposition.
1t is reported that San Fernando,
where for time Aguinaldo had has
headquarters is thronged with panic
stricken refugees. The insurgent
troops are in mutiny. The great body
of the Filipinos are ready to give up
the fight. Many natives are between
the American lines and Manila now
hurrying to their homes. They show
friendly disposition toward the
Americans, and most all of them agree
that Fridays victory at Calumpit
broke the backbone Of the instruction.
Gen. Macarthur has been appealed
to by natives and property owners at
Calumpit for protection from disorder
and vandalism. A large delegation of
Maccabebes came to Calumpit Friday
afternoon and asked that American
forces occupy San Fernando. They
represented that the insurgents were
destroying all property they could lay
their hands upon, and unless the
Americans assumed control there was
small hope that anything would be
saved.
Telegraphic connection wild at once
be established between Manila and
Gen. Lawton, who is operating east of
Quingua. An entirely new line has
been put in by the signal corps.
Wants Funston Promoted.
Atlantic City, N j., April 20. Con-
gresham Curtis of Kansas, one Of the
members of the caucus monetary COM
mittee now in session here, tele-
grapheG President Mckinley yester-
day requesting that promotion be
given Col. Funston of the goth Kansas
volunteers, in recognition of his gal
liant services in the Philippines.
NAMES FORMER MADISON BOY.
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