The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-22

resolution asking for a report as to the
alleged negotiations for peace on Feb. 5,
1899, after the breaking out of the Filipino
revolution. The reply contains the fol-
lowing correspondence by cable:
"Adjutant Generals Office. Washington.
April 30, 1900 (Cablegram).-To Otis, Ma
Mia: Cable whether Gen. Torres
came to you under flag of truce Feb. 5.
1859, and stated Agmnaldo declared fight
ing had begun accidentally and not au-
thorized by him; that Aguinaldo wished 1t
stopped and to end hostilities; proposed
establishment of neutral zone between the
two armies of width agreeable to yourself
during peace negotia tions, that there
might be no further danger of conflict.
Whether you replied fighting having be-
gun must go on to grim end. Corbin."
Gen. Otis replied
(Cablegram). Manila May /, 1900.-To
Adjutant General, Washington, Judge
Torres, citizen resident of Manila who
had served as member ipsurgent COM
mission, reported evening Feb. 5, asking If
something could not be done 10 stop The
lighting, as establishment of neutral zone
l replied Aguinaldo had comm need the
fighting and must apply for cesSa ton; /
had nothing to request from insurgent
government. He asked permission TO send
Col. Arguellez to Malolos, and Arguellez
was passed through lines near Caloocan
next morning. He went direct to Malolos
told Gen. Aguinaldo and Mabni that Gen
Otis would permit suspension of hostilities
upon their request. They replied declara-
ton Of war had been made. copy OF
which they furnished him. Taey sad they
had no objection to suspension
of hostililies, but beyond this
general remark made no response
but directed him o return with that mess
Arg ha al
my S atement. that they had commenced
the war ard it must go on since they had
chosen that course CT acticn, but did not
attempt to induce Them TO make any prop
osl1ion, as he feared accusation of cow
ard ce. The insurgent chief authorities
made no proposition and did not Intend
TO make any, nor did they attempt to do
so until driven out of Maiolos. My hasty
dispatch of about that date misleading
Took in writing statement of Arguellez
several days ago in order to fully under
stand temper of insurgents at early period
of war. Otis"
sSany Questions Answered
There were a great many questions ask
ed in the resolution, which was adopted
on April 2S. In his reply the President
states:
Gen. Otis was not directed by the
Secretary of War 20 make such an an
swer as is set forth in the resolution nor
were any answers 10 communications
upon the subject of the cessation Of hos
tilities prescribed by the Secretary of
War to Gen. Otis, but he was left to ex-
ercise, in respect thereof, his own judg-
ment. based upon his superior knowledge
of the conditions surrounding the troops
under his command.
II also transmit a copy Of a cable dis
patch from Gen. OILS. sent from Manila
Feb. 8, 1899, received in Washington Feb
8 1899, being the same dispatch 20 which
he refers in his reply of May ], 1900 as
misleading. So far as ! am informed
Gen. Otis did not afterward reply ex-
cept as set forth in his dispatch of May
], 1900 He was not directed by the Sec
rotary Of War to reply, and no answer
was made by him 20 the Secretary of
War as 90 an application to cease fight
ing. There appears to have been no such
application.
Did Not Salute Their Flag.
The correspondence includes the follow
ing reply TO the Secretary of the Navy
from Admiral Dewey as 10 whether the
flag Of the Filipino republic was ever
saluted by the Admiral:
washington, May II. 190O.-Sir: First
Replying to the departments letter of the
14th instant, 1 have the honor to inform