The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1900-02-02
THE WAR IN LUZON.
Senior Mabinl Wants a Civil Com
mission Sent.

MANILA, Jan. 23-Senor Mabini,
| the strongest counsellor of Aguinaldo
and his Congress, has sent letter to
| General Otis asking that the United
States Congress send civil commits
sion to treat with his countrymen. He
says: Il hope confidently that when
Americans and Filipinos know each
other better not only will the present
conflict cease, but other future ones
will be forestalled."
NEW YORK, Jan. 24.-(Afternoon
Service. "A special to the Herald from
Washington says:
The proposition of Aguinaldo's agent
for making the desires of Filiplnos
known to civil representatives OF this
Government is perfectly feasible. 1t is
all in Aguinaldos own hands. He
knows perfectly well the terms OF
peace, which mean surrender, acknowl-
edgment of American sovereignty and
| the fullest measure of fself-government,
| which will be framed after fully ascer-
| tanning the desires and capabilities Of
the Filipinos.
This was the statement made by
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith, after reading Senor Mabini's
message to the Herald.
Colonel DENLY of the Philippine
Commission said that Senor Mabini
was one of the most able Filipinos,
and he regarded the fact that he had
written the communication as favor
able indication. Col. DENLY indicated
that he believed there was plenty of
work that a civil committee could do
, to advantage in the Philippines.
1T is my opinion" he said, that
civil government ought to be estab-
lished in the islands as soon as posi-
BILE and that as soon as any communi-
ty shows itself ready or fit for govern
ment, whether municipal or provin-
! cial. such government ought to be es-
tablished without waiting for the COM
plete pacification of the islands.
"These governments ought to be
built up from the bottom, starting with
the municipal governments and then
advancing to the provincial govern
ments. If modus vivendi could be
! established between a civil commission
and the military authorities, it might
be desirable to have a new commission
| sent out to continue the work of the
old commission"
| Other Administration officials read
in friendly spirit the message from
Senor Mabini. In effect they say that
Senor Mabini Is requesting just what
the Administration has contemplated
doing for the Filipinos. The only con-
ditions required are surrender and
complete acknowledgment of the sover-
eighty of the United States. Then will
come civil government and full and
free conference with the natives with
the view to giving them the largest
measure of elf-government.
AS to the suggestion for civil COM
mission, a Cabinet officer told me the
President contemplated sending such a
commission to the Philippines at an
early date. In his message to Con-
gress he mentioned that it would soon
be desirable to send the present com
mission or part of 1t back to Manila,
and this idea is now under considera-
tion.
Concerning the visit of Filipino
commission TO this country, the same
Cabinet officer said it would he the
policy of the Administration and Con-
gress TO give full and free hearing to
leading Filipinos, and that Congress at
the proper time would doubtless well
come a representative body OF men
from the islands.