The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-11
Gen. Otis Reports an Encourag'
ing Situation.
He Has Begun the Establish
ment of Civil Rule.
PEACE IS IN SIGHT.
Sees No Obstacles That Cannot
Be Overcome.
Aguinaldo's Congress Fails to
Command Quorum.

Washington, May 1.-Gen- OtIS has
cabled the war department concerning
the situation in the Philippines He
says that it is very encouraging The
tone of the dispatch leads the officials
here to believe that the end of the FIJI
pino insurrection is near at hand.
Following is the text of the dispatch;
Manila May 11.-Adjutant General,
Washington: Situation as follows:
Succeeded in passing army gunboats TO
CaIumpit for use in Rio Grande; rail-
way connections with that point secured
this week. Passage of gunboats through
Macabebe country hailed with joyful
demonstrations by inhabitants. In
country passed over by troops tenn
porary civil administration inaugurated
and protection to inhabitants against
snsurgent abuses given as far as pos
sibIe Signs of insurgent disintegra-
ton daily manifested. Obstacles which
natural features of country present, can
be overcome. OI1S.
INSURGENTS LAND CANNON.
New York, May ia Herald dis
patch from Manila says: The insur-
gents have succeeded in landing ten
machine guns at Capiz, on the island
of Panay.
In an interview printed in Spanish
Senior Mabini who is at the head of
the AguinaldO cabinet says the insur-
gents are very hopeful They will con-
tinue the fighting relying on Europe for
intervention. The insurgents of the
province of Cavite are preparing to
make a desperate resistance to the
Americans.
FILIPINO CONGRESS MEETS.
Manila May 11.-Reports received
from the insurgent line, which, however,
have not been confirmed, say that
meeting Of the Filipino congress has
been held at San IsidrO. There was no
quorum present. but in spite of this
fact some business was transacted. The
reports add that although those who
AguinaldO. a strong desire for peace
was expressed Major General Mac
Arthur viii probably remain at San
Fernando until fresh troops can be for
warded to him from this city to replace
some of the volunteers who have be-
come exhausted from the long cam
paign. Filipino riflemen to the number
of 5000 are entrenched on three sides of
Bacolor. The Americans, however. are
fully able to hold the city if Mondays
attack was a specimen of the enemys
fighting ability.
The United States Philippine commits
sion has been considering a provincial
constitution for the island of NegrOs.
which was framed by Colonel Smith
and leading natives. 1t is largely model
ed after the constitution of California.
While 1t has many good points. the
commission will probably recommend
a uniform government for all the
provinces This constitution. it is in
tended, will give the natives self-gov-
ernment, cooperating with the military
regime Work on the constitution has
been apportioned to the several mem
bers of the Philippine commission The
report of President Schurman will give
special attention to national provincial
ana municipal government; Colonel
Charles DENLY will consider the or
ganization of courts. and Prof. D. c.
Worcester will investigate tribal
physical and commercial features in
the islands All the members of the
commission are consulting with resident
experts.
TIME TO STRIKE HARD.
Manila, May 11--Mr Higgins. mana
ger of the Manila-Dag gupan railway
and two of his assistants who had re
mained inside the insurgent lines to
protect the property of the railway
company arrived at San Fernando on
yesterday. They had been informed by
the insurgents that they would be no
longer responsible for their safety if
they remained within their lines Mr..
HIGGINS cOrrObOrated the stories that
have been told of the decentralization of
the Fflipinos and says that the rebels
are looting all the natives property.
Mr.. Higgins adds now is the time for
the Americans to strike hard
RETURN OF VOLUNTEERS
Washington, May lin reply to the
cable of Adjutant General Corbin last
night regarding return of volunteers,
Gen Otis cabled this morning:
Manila, May 11.-Adjutant General
" aShlngton: Volunteer organizations
first to return now at NegrOs and forty
i've miles from Manila at front Ex-
pected that transports now arriving will
take returning volunteers
Volunteers understand they will begin
to leave for United States the la
part of month; know Importance of
their presence here at this time and
accept sacrifice which United States in
tefeStS make imperative. Hancock now
entering harbOr. Transports returning
1nlS week carry sick and wounded men
pennsylvania and St. Paul not needed
longer IN southern waters where thew
nav nave been retained, hence dispatch.
transports Nelson and Cleveland
brought freight, return without cargo.
OTIS.
The Hancock which Gen. Otis reports
entering the harbor sailed from San
francesca April Is, carrying the Twen-
ty-nrst infantry and light battery E.
FIRST artillery, 80 officers and l 45i en-
Hsted men, Col Jacob Kline, Twenty
hrst infantry, commanding
A later dispatch from Gen. Otis saws.
mania, May 11-Adjutant General
washington: Health condition troOns
arrived on Hancock excellent. two
deaths en- route, Private Dio r Jonas
and Elmer H. Chevalier ComDaniee 7
and Z. Twenty-first infantry Apri1 "a
N-1o ~ OTIS.
KILL A FRENCHMAN
New York, May IA dispatch to the
Journal and Advertiser from Manila
says: The insurgents have assassinated
M Dumarais, Frenchman who ba6
crossed their lines under a flag of trnce
he was negotiating with the ETliDinos
for the release of Spanish prisoners
Fhis action may cause a demonstra-
6on by France