The Mena star., 1899-04-20
RICH NATIVES F|)R PEACE
4 Number of Prominent Filipinos Trying to Bring About Some
 Understanding.
THINKS OTIS HAS SUFFICIENT FORCE.

Secretary AIger Believes Gen. Law ton Was
 Misrepresented in His Statement-The
 Volunteers in the Philippines Likely to
 Re Ordered Home-shafter's Confid- ence in Lawton's Judgment
 Manila, April 19.-A number of prominent and wealthy Filipinos are organizing committee to take steps to bring about if possible an under standing between the rebels and the Americans. One branch of this com mittee intends to ask the United States Philippine commission to make a statement as to what terms will be offered the rebels if the latter will surrender. Another branch of the committee will approach Aguinaldo with the terms and will endeavor to persuade him to accept them. It is considered doubtful. however, if any members of the committee will dare to personally confer with the rebel leader. The committee includes sew eral persons recently condemned to death by Aguinaldo for petitioning him to cease fighting.
 Maj Gen. Otis has appointed a board, headed by Col Crowder. to deal with war claims Many such claims have been filed, aggregating millions of dollars, particularly as a result of the Iloilo fire. Maj. Gen. Otis, who has hitherto handled these claims, is unable to devote any of his time to them now. Gen. Lawton has ordered Col. Whalley, of the Washington regi- ment, who is a lieutenant in the regu- lar army. to command Gen. Kings brigade during the latter's illness.
 Thinks Otis Has sufncient Force.
 Washington, April 19. Secretary Alger said yesterday that there was no present thought of increasing the army in tine Philippines beyond the troops now under orders to sail. He thought affairs were progressing req sonably well, and that there was no need of eniarging military op- erations The secretary was asked what he had to say about the expres- sion attributed to Gen. Lawton, that he would have to have 100, GOO men to do the work in Luzon. He re-
  ton had said it The war department thinks Gen. Lawton is misrepresented. The probability is thought to be that he was explaining his action in aban- doDing towns after taking them. He is supposed to have remarked that if campaign was to be made with the ex- pectatioR of garrisoning each town captured, force of 100, 900 men would be needed for the island of Luzon. The government has no inten tion, it was stated, of carrying on such cam paign-
 The Volunteers in the Philippines.
 Washington, April 19. -Adjt. Gen. Corbin said to-day that list of those voluntecr regiments which would be brought home from the Philippines would be announced in a few days. It Is expected that some of these organi- kations will re-enlist for six months and Gen. Otis has been directed by telegraph to designate the order in which the others are to be returned to the United States It is probable that three of the regiments to be ordered home gre the Thirteenth Min nesota, the First South Dakota and she Tenth Pennsylvania. Influential efforts to secure the muster out of these organizations are made. Sena- tor Pettigrew has written letter to the president urging the withdrawal of the South Dakota regiment and Gov. Lee. of South Dakota, has de- handed it.
 shafter Believes Tn Lawton's Judgment.
 Chicago, April 19. Maj Gen. Shaf- ter passed through Chicago to-day en route to his brothers home in Syca- more, ILL He was much impro ved in health. Discussing the Philippine war he said:
 1T Gen. Lawton states that 900 men are needed in the Philippines in order to effactually end hostilities and bring the natives to terms, should say that undoubtedly an army of such proportions is required We. of the army, have supreme confidence in Gen Lawton's judg- ment. and itis his practiee to underestimate rather than exaggerate when passing upon existing conditions.