The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-15
TERMS OF FILIPINO PEACE.
THOSE SUGGESTED BY THE BUEN-
GAMING DOCUMENT.


as to Concessions That should BE
Accorded His People.
correspondence of the Associated Press.
Manila, p. l., May 25. Felipe Buencam-
mo formerly secretary of state in the
Filipino government, surrendered to the
American forces last December, fully ex-
melting to be shot as soon as it was learn
81 who he was. Instead of executing him.
b9w,ver, the American officer to whom
Ruencamino presented himself invited the
FfIrino to share his supper of two eggs
and handful of rice, and the next day
sert him down to Manila. Here he was
confined for thrle months in the Avela
sire ct jail.
Shortly before Gen. Otis left for home
Buencamino was released, and it was I'M
derstocd between Otis and Buencamino
that the latter should devote his energies
toward effecting peace between the Fill
Pine forces and those of the United
States and the recognition of American
sover ignty in the Philippines by the Fill
yinos To this end, Buencamino has com
posed a peace programme, copies of which
have been sent to the prominent leaders
of The revolution, both in and out Of
Manila and it is the purpose of Buen-
canine to start the formation of "Phil-
ippne National Party" on the basis con-
tanned in this programme a faithful trans
lation Of which follows:
"As the present Filipino revolution is a
direct result of the Spanish-American
Il
States to be the protecting power of our
Independence, it is impossible, in accord
ance with international law, for us to do
without the United States in the matter
of obtaining our national independence
because no country can enter into the con-
cert of independent nations except in ac-
cordance with the rules of that law.
THE proclamation of Emilio Aguinaldo,
dated May "A, 1898, the revolutionary help
given by our troops during the war be-
tween Spain and the United States, and
the treaty of Paris, dated Dec. TO- 1898,
conspired 10 give to the United States
the role of protecting power over the Phil
ippines as well as that of the belligerent
power to whom Spain sold all her rights
for $50 10000. And, If to the foregoing legal
DEDUCTIONS we add the fact that the Unit
ed States have clearly 'hown their deter
minaton to intervene in our future. the
impOSSlDlllty OF resist US lHtlT luf eINeu-
ton becomes still more evident and
clear.
1T is possible that the United States.
eventually weary of our present system
Of warfare, may decide to sell us to some
other Power, or else leave US to our
fate; in which latter case it would de-
volve upon US to obtain the recognition
Of our independence from the nations OF
the world. This possibility is fraught
Ent
victim to the ambitions of the great ma
tons, and become partitioned among
them.
Consequently, 1t is necessary that awe
recognize the supremacy of the United
States and strive to obtain, within the lin
its of the American constitution; the
greatest measure of liberty compatible
with our welfare.
The most predominant features in our
past independent government were those
immoraites and abuses which are the
offspring of our own ignorance, and the
wees inherited by US from Spain. We
succeeded in making the Filipino regime
so odiouS to our own people that in the
critical moments of our affairs, the peo-
pie showed us their hatred they respect
ed neither our cabinet officers nor the
persons of the mother and the son of the
President Of the Filipino republic, whom
ing murdered many of the leaders, Off
GERS and soldiers of our army; and they
have robbed our government of it's proper
ties and money. We require, then, the
protecting power of the United States 10
prevent our national unity from destruc-
ton by those civil wars which, owing to
the factional feelings and divisions aris-
Ing from our immoralities and abuses,
would undoubtedly obtain. were an indie
pendent eeta hliShed.
The conciliatory policy pursued by the
American government, Notwithstanding
our marked hostility to 1t, the humane
treatment of prisoners and their release
from prison after short detention only;
the installation into public office of the
more intelligent F1lipinos; the increase in
wages and the consequent betterment Of
the laboring classes; the liberal reform in
our laws, and the granting to our towns
Of a marriage and municipal law emf
nently democratic and such we did not
possess even under our own independent
government; all this has increased the
sentiment for annexation to an extraor-
binary degree, and to-day there is among
US the keenest competition for all gov
eminent employments.
Should the time come when our clash
ing interests will lead brother to fight
against brotser, we will then indeed be I'M
fortunate and to be pitied. The Americans
Will dominate under these deploraDle cir
eumstances, and we will be helpless. IT,
notwithstanding our fleeing political dis
sessions, we can manage to preserve our
ha.ional unity, we will always be q re-
spectacle nation OF ten millions of people,
ana capable ultimately of obtaining our
national emancipation; but, if We are di-
Vded by the irreconcilable hatreds which
lead to civil strife we will be nothing
more nor less than a group of tribes
and we could easily be reduced TO the
level of the nomad Igorrotes.
For these reasons we should cease hos
uhues with the United States, and form
national party. which, If We take adj
en- moment will always be in the ma
vantage of the opportunities of the pres
iority.
Another powerful argument for peace
Is the fact that in continuing our present
system Of guerilla warfare we give an eX-
cuse for the bad element of our popula-
uon 10 live by force of arms at the cost
OF their more peaceful neighbors; under
me guise of patriots these former take
,"e held, not TO fight for our independence,
"ui simply to rob and enrich themselves,
una brigandage is consequently prevalent.
me i'll effects of such actions are already
leIt throughout the land, and they have
gwen to our cause a reputation for Grim
'uaI methods and abuses. The national
PARTY would show great political discern
'eht and good sense were they TO cease
uoSilhties and cooperate with the estab-
iNhcd authorities In the prOepcuttOn Of