The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-12
FOR PEACE.
Former Filipino Leader
FaVOrs It.
Statement By Senor
Buencamino.
Bias Become RetOnciled to American
Sovereignty.
Outlines a Peace Plat
form.
Will Use His Influence With
Aguinaldo.

Manila, May II, 1l.20 .. m.-sspor
Buencamino, at one time . mem Der Of
the so-cailsd Filipino Republican Cabi-
net, who was recently liberated By Gen.
eral Otis, announces that he has become
reoonciled to American sovereignty and
that he Will devote his In nflusnoe TO bring
about peace. He has sent o proposed
peace platform for the national Filipino
party to the insurgent leaders In Manila
and to the insurgsnt generals including
| A guinaldo IN the field. This platform N
declares tnat It Is imponssibls for the
Filipinos to exist as nation without
the protection Of the United States and
that consequently they must recognize
American sovereignty and strive to at
fain under q constitution the utmost hh-
e.ty possible. Continuing he argues that
the Filipinos are incapable OF self-gov-
ernment. He says:
elm our Independent government, the
most predominant notes were abuses an d
immoraiities. the offspring of ignorance
and the inherited vices Of Spain by which
the Tiiipino rsgtl1s vaa rendered od,ous
to our own people"
"Thsrefore. he contends. American
control is necessary to prevent civil strife.
lie recommends to the national Filipino
party, the adoption OF programme en-
bodying the following featuresi
Eirst-Recognition OF the United
States, cessation Of nostiliti-s and CO.
operation on the part OF the BilipiDos In
the prosecution OF bandits who continue
depredations in the name OF indepen-
denoe."
Seoond--A request for a declaration
| by the United States government guaren-
| tseing to the Filipinos personal liberties
and rights under the constitution.
Third-A Filipino representative dele
CATION to present to the American Con-
gTess and public the dssires OF the Flip
inos, respecting political status.
Fourth-The application OF part Of the
public funds to the maintenance Of hospi-
tsls for sick and woundsd Filipino SOL
disrs and for the establishment OF schools.
Flfth--Ths transfer of the insurgent
i fQnds to the American treasury.
Sixth-The establishment or perma-
nsnt system Of Filipino representatives
to the civil commission.
| Ssventh-Ihe exclusion Of friars from
the administration OF the parishes.
Discussing the political outlook with
ths correspondents OF tha Associated Press
| today, Senior Busnoamino said:
"There are three elements In the Phil
| ipptnss which obstruot the attainment Of
peace The first is the body of Filipino
| az 1t ators In Manila who are continually
shouting for Independence and who thus
| in ce the ignorant masses. The sec-
| ond Ia the frIars who desire o prolopga-
tion Of hostilitles because In peace be-
| tween the Eiljpinos ana the Americans
| they foresse the end Of their prestige and
power and the ultimate loss Of their
| properties and holdings.
"Fhe third element is-(suppresssd by
| the csnsor).
hIt the civil commission brings liberal
ideas and Will approach Aguinaldo ts-
| day, the idolizsd lesdsr OF the Filipinos
aud the other leaders still lighting, in n
way that will make it possible for them
| to surrender and yet to retain the respect
| and honor OF their countrymen, then
ueace in the Philippines will be only
question Of q few weeks.
'sIf the civil commission will suaran-
t6e portsction 70 the personal and indf-
viiu nal rights and liberties of the Eilipnos.
leaving the determination OF our future
| oelitiosi status to the United States Con-
gre 50, Aguinaldo Will come IL and will
order a cessation Of bostiliites and will
| direct the surrender Of arms,
"Your graceful sovereignty throughout
he Islands Is unmistakable, We now
crave your Justice and your humanitar-
ian, lenisnt policy. General Otis has done
much TO render feasible and possible the
application of the peace project upon
which am now working. To-day, In
Manila, We see public funds expended for
the benefit of the peopls, in the construo-
tlon OF markets and bridges, In street
repairs, in schools aud In a police foros.
You have a good marriage law. You
eavs established systems Of municipAi
government and criminal procedure
more liberal and just than were eontem-
plated BY the Filipino constitution.
"These facts attest our good faith and
eur trust IN the American people is as
strong as sve:."