Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-22
Form of Government For the
Philippines.
THE REBELS ARE WAVERING
And Will Accept an Unconditional
Surrender in Short Time-The
Conditions Prevailing.

Manila, May o. 2:10 p. MIN spite of
the presence of the Filipino commission
ers IN Manila military operations continue
with unabated vigor. The visitors are
apparently ignorant of the true condition
OF affairs here. Upon their arrival they
were Immediately inundated with invita-
tions covering both day and night and
express surprise at the condition Of affairs
within our lines. They had been led to be-
lieve everything was chaotic and are de-
lighted at the reception accorded them.
Reports received from persons who have
arrived from the interior. show that no
troops are left in the northern provinces.
They were all drafted south after the out
break of war. Villages on the west coast
are almost deserted and the Ilocanos es-
pecially are desrous of joining the Amer
leans if only for the purpose of crushing
the Tagals. Many natives Of Renquot
and Ilocou said if the Americans had not
arrived civil war would necessarily have
ensued owing to the friction between the
Tagals and inhabitants of other prov
inces. It is added the only Filipino
troops left now are seven thousand men
under Gen. Luna at Tarac and about A.
COO under Gen. Pinar Del Pillar. These
are short of arms and supplies. Many Of
their rifles are disa bled and the Filipinos
are unable to repair them owing to the
lack Of mechanics and materials for so
doing.
A coasting steamer which arrived here
reports the Spanish garrison at Zam-
boanga, Island of Mindanao, IS held by
I,o
Americans held them while they were in
the vicinity of Manila. Every night the
Spaniards are subjected to an ineffectua.
fire and if they are not soon relieved will
be reduced to the condition Of the Spanish
garrison at 1loilo just previous to it's
evacuat ton of that place.
3'15 p. m.-Prof. Schurmann, head o.
the United States Philippine commission,
submitted the following written PROPOSE
tions to the Filipnos: While the final
decision as to form of government is in
the hands Of congress, the president un-
der his military powers pending action of
congress stands ready to offer the follow
ing form Of government: A governor
general to be appointed by the president:
cabinet to be appointed by the governor
general; all judges to be appointed by the
president; heads of departments and
judges to be either Am mericans or Filipino
or both and also general advisory coun-
ell. its nemb bers to be chosen by the peo-
pie by form of suffrage to be hereafter
carefully determined upon. The president
earnestly desires that bloodshed cease
and the people of the Philippines at an
early date enjoy the largest measure Of
self government compatible With peace
and order. The commission prepared the
scheme and the president cabled approval.
The Filipinos made no definite propo-
sition except for a cessation of hostilites
peace to the people. Schurmann told the
Filipinos they had no means of gathering
the people together as the Americans con-
troll most of the port. He also reminded
them of the liberal form of government Of
fered them and pointed out that it was
better than conditions existing under
Spanish rule. Gozaga, president of the
Filipino commission, admitted the form
of government proposed was liberal. Civ
iian members of the Filipino commission
have declined to cooperate with other
members of the commission as the former
consider Aguinaldos late demand pre-
p"sterous, att. :ls' refusal Of almistice
referring to his wish for time in order
to consult the Filipino culgcess