Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-05-25
TERMS TO FILIPINOS.
AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS OFFER
CONDITIONS OF PEACE.


Natives VIII Have Part In Administra-
tion of the Islands-General Otis Denies
Request Made by Agninaldo's Commits
sioners For an Armis.ice.
MANILA. May 23.-Prof. Scnurman,
head of the United States Philippine
commission. has submitted the follow
ing written propositions to the Fill
| pinos:
"While the final decision as to the
| form of government is in the hands of
the congress, the president, under his
military powers, pending the action of
congress, stands ready to offer the fol-
lowing form of government: A gov
ernor general, 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 general advisory council, its
members to be chosen by the people by
form of suffrage to be hereafter care
fully determined upon. The president
cease and that the people of the Philip.
pines at an 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
cessation of hostilities until they can
present the question of peace to the
people.
MANIA, May 24.-The Filipino COM
missioners spent the day at the resi-
dence of the American commissioners
They discussed every point of the
scheme of government and the peace
proclamation details, asking for infor-
nation as to what personal rights would
be guaranteed them.
II Colonel DENLY of the American com.
mission explained that they would be
the same as under the United States
constitution. The Filipinos also de-
sired information as to the school sys-
tenn to be established and approved of
the American policy of the separation
of the church and state. They chiefly
objected to the scheme on the ground
that it gave them personal liberty,
J which they know they would have, but
did not give them political liberty.
Finally, the Filipinos said they were
personally pleased with the plan, but
could not endorse it officially.
General Otis, from antebellum exper-
ience, and owing to the Filipinos fond
ness Of discussion, has maintained the
attitude he assumed with the first COM
mission. He has had no offer to make
the Filipinos save that they lay down
their arms without terms. The army
believes that if we intend to remain in
the Philippine islands it will be cheaper
in the long run to whip the insurgents
SO thoroughly that they will be glad of
the opportunity to surrender, rather
than parley with them and make terms
which they would construe as COM
promise. The army is also of the opin-
ion that while the first course may cost
more men and more money in the be-
ginning than the latter, it will prove an
effectual damper upon future lnsurrec-
tions, whereas, if the war is ended by
compromise the professional revolution
lists among the Tagals may be encour-
aged to try it again in few years.
Professor Schurman, speaking of the
commission policy, said: 'I believe
force was necessary, because they
thought us weaklings and cowards but
I believe also that conciliation should
accompany force. My endeavor has
cir r %<,
conciliation.'
DEWEY ARRIVES AT HONG KONG.
Admiral and His Flagship Saluted by the
Ships of All Nationalities.
HONG Kong, May 24.-The United
States cruiser Olympia, with Admiral
Dewey on board, has arrived here from
Manila. 1t was saluted by the ships of
all nationalities.
Admiral Dewey, Captain Lamberton,
Lieutenant Brumby and United States
Consul Wildman were received by
guard of honor of the Royal Welsh Flu
sileers when they landed to visit the
governor of Hong Kong, Sir Henry A.
Blake; Major General Gascoigne in COM
mand of the troops and Commodore
Powell commanding the naval forces.
The visit was afterwards returned by
the officials mentioned
a Dewey is in i'll health, being
r attend the queens birthday
dinner.
The Olympia is going to dock here
and will remain 10 days at this port.
Otis Outlines the Situation.