Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-05-17
Prominent Filipino Proposes
a Peace Platform.
PROTECTION Is NEEDED,
Uncle Sans Guidance Is Essen
tial to Filipino Welfare.
TO PREVENT CIVIL STRIFE.
A Former Member of AguinaIdo,s Cab
tnet Claims that II Guaranteed Peace
with Honor, the Insurgent Leaders
VIII Surrender.

Win hOnOr, the 1nsurgent Leaders
VIII Surrender.
Manila, May 12.--Senor Buencami-
no, at one time a member of the Fill
pino republican cabinet, who was re-
Gently liberated by Gen. Otis, an
nounces that he has become recon-
ciled to American sovereignty and
that he will devote his influence to
bringing about peace. lie has sent
proposed peace platform for the ma
tlonal Filipino party to the insurgent
leaders in Manila and to the insurgent
generals. including Aguinaldo, in the
field.
This platform declares that it is inn
possible for the Filipinos to exist as u
nation without the protection of the
United States and that, consequently
they must recognize American sover-
eighty and strive TO attain, under a
constitution, the utmost liberty pos
sible.
Continuing, Senior Buencamino ar
gues that the Filipinos are incapable
of self-goyernment. He says: In
our independent government the most
predominant notes were abuses and
immoralities, the offspring of ignor-
ance and the inherited vices of Spain,
by which the Filipino regime was rem
dered odious to our own people,
Therefore, he contends, American
control is necessary to prevent civil
strife. He recommends to the ma
tional Filipino party the adoption of
programme embOdying the follow
ing features:
''First-Recogntion of the sover-
eighty of the United States, cessation
of hostilities and cooperation on the
part of the Filipinos in the prosecu-
tion of bandits who continue depreda-
tions in the name of independence.
''Second-A request for a decIara-
tion by the United States governmenJ
guaranteeing to the Filipinos person
al liberties and rights under consti-
tuition.
''Third-A Filipino delegation to
present 10 the American congress and
the public the desires of the Filipi-
nos respecting political status.
''Fourth-sThe application of a part
of the public funds to the mainte-
nance of hospitals for sick and
wounded Filipino soldiers and for the
establishment of schools.
't'ifth-The transfer of the insur-
gent funds to the American treasury.
''SiNth-The establishment of II
permanent system of Filipino repre-
sentatives to the civil commission.
''Seventh-The exclusion of friars
from the administration of the par
ishes.'
Discussing the political outlook
L.
Senor Buencamino said:
There are three elements in the
Philippines which obstruct the at
tainment of peace. The first is tho
body of Filipino agitators in Manila
who are continually shouting for in
dependence and who thus influence
the ignorant masses. The second is
the friars, who desire prolongation
of hostilities, because in peace be-
tween the Filipinos and the Ameri-
cans they fOresee the end of their
prestige and power and the ultimate
loss of their properties. The third
element is--(supprcssed by the cen
sor).
If the civil commission brings lib
eral ideas and will approach AGuin-
aldo and the other leaders still fight
ing. in way that will make it possi-
bic for them to surrender and yet to
retain the respect of their country
men, then peace in the Philippines
will be only a question of few
weeks.
eff the civil commission will guar
antee protection to the personal and
individual rights and liberties of the
FiliDinoS, leaving the determination
of our future political status to the
United States congress, Aguinaldo
will come in. will order Il cessation of
hostiitips and will direct the surren-
der of arms"