The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-05-16
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WASHINGTON, May 5.-Aguinaldo's
representatives to the American-Phil-|
ippine Commission have formally ad-
mitted the sovereignty OF the United
States over the Philippine archipelago.
From a member OF the Cabinet II was
learned tonight that this admission
was made to President Schurman at
the conference held by him with Col
ArguellZs and Lieut.. Bernal several
days ago. 1t was in reply 10 direct
question put to them by Mr.. Schurman,
and the character Of the answer was
no doubt as gratifying TO the Commits
sion as II was to President Mckinley.
As the result OF a dispatch sent by Mr..
Schurman today, it is the confident ex-
pectation Of the President that the end
of the rebellion Is close at hand. This
result will not be obtained, however,
without concessions which have been
recommended by the Commission, and
which, by the direction OF the Presi-
dent, will be granted.
These concessions contemplate CIV
ing to the F'ilipinos A form Of govern
ment modelled after that OF the United
States. The member OF the Cabinet
who gave the above information said
that the Commission had unanimously
adopted the recommendation which
was submitted to the President in Mr..
Schurman's dispatch, providing three
departments for the new government
OF the archipelago legisla-
tive and judicial.
The executive department, as rec
commended by the Commission, Is to
consist OF a Governor-General, who
shall have absolute veto power over
any acts OF the Legislature, and his
Cabinet. formed OF leaders among the
Fllipinos and Americans. The legis-
lative department will be organized as
the result OF granting suffrage to the
Fillpinos having proper qualifications.
The President will be empowered to
appoint members OF the judiciary, just
as he will be empowered to appoint
the Governor-General.
What the Cabinet officer regarded as
the best feature OF the whole affair was
the acceptance OF the Commission s
proposition by the Filipino ENJOYS.
Furthermore, It was learned that be-
fore the submission Of this proposition
to them they had asserted that they
did not represent General Luna, but
that they represented Aguinaldo.
1t Is believed that the presentation
of the Commissioners proposition was
in compliance with the request OF the
Filipinos, who desired to know what
the glittering promises made by the
United States really mean. The first
proposition made by the natives to the
Commission was that already reported
for the adoption OF an armistice, dur
ing which the Fllipinos proposed to
call together their Congress, and
through that body arrange for peace.
The proposition was refused without
consideration.
1t was then admitted, the Cabinet
officer said, that the Filipino army was
too weak to stand against the Amer
lean force, which was greatly its SUI
perlor. Aguinaldo. they declared, is
not fighting for the Independence Of the
country so much as he Is fighting for
the honor OF the army, and the Fill
pino ENJOYS thought 1t humlllating
that they should be compelled TO lay
down their arms without first under
standing what the United States pro-
posed TO do with them. II the United
States persisted IN overriding the FIJI
iplnos by force, Col. Arguelzs declared
that the latter would retreat TO the
mountains and would continue for
years guerilla warfare, which would
be TO the great injury Of the United
states,
u has been impressed upon the Com
mission that before tho FilipInOs are
granted peace they must lay down their
arms When they have taken this ac-
tlon ana returned 10 their homes
formof government recommended shall