The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-12
Senior Buencamino Urges Aguinaldo
and Insurgent Generals to Lay
Down Their Arms.
RECOMMENDS A PROGRAMME
THAT MAY RESULT IN PACIFICATI0N
OF THE ISLANDS.
Part OF the senor's Utterances Sup
Fighting-List Of Casualties.

MANILA, May III, u:0 p. m.-Senor
Buencamino. at one time a member of the
so-called Filipino Republican Cabinet who
was recently liberated by General Otis, an
nounces that he has become reconciled to
American sovereignty and that he win de-
vote his influence TO bring about peace. He
has sent proposed peace platform for the
national Filipino party to the insurgent
leaders i'm Manila and to the insurgent gen.
erals, including Aguinaldo in the field This
platform declares that it is impossible for
the Fflipinos to exist as a nation with
out the protection of the United States and
that consequently they must recognize
American sovereignty and strive to attain
under a constitution the utmost liberty
possible. Continuing Senior Buencamino
argues that the Filipinos are incapable of
self-government. He says:
I'm our Independent government the pre-
dominant notes were, abuses and immoral
ties. the offspring and the inherited vices
of Spain, by which the Filipino regime was
rendered odious to our own people. There
fore, he contends, American control is
necessary to prevent civil strife. He rec
ommends to the national Filipino party the
adoption of a programme embodying the
following features:
"First-Recognition of the sovereignty of
the United States, cessation of hostilities
and cooperation of the present Fffipinos in
the prosecution of bandits who continue
depredatiops In the name of independence.
''Second--A request for a declaration by
the United States government guaranteeing
to the Filipinos personal liberties and
rights.
''Third-A Filipino representative delega-
ton to present to the American Congress
and public the desires of the Filipinos re-
specting political status
"Fourth-The application of a part of the
public funds to the maintenance of hospi-
tails for sick and wounded Filipino soldiers
and for the establishment of schools.
"Fifth-The transfer of the insurgent
funds to the American treasury.
'Sixth-The establishment of a permanent
system of Filipino Representatives to the
civil commission. f
'Seventh-The exclusion of friars from
the administration of the parishes"
Discussing the political outlook with the
correspondent of the Associated Press to-
day, Senior Buencamino said There are
three elements in the Filipinos which OBJ
struct the attainment of peace. The first is
the body Of Filipino agitators in Manila.
who are continually shouting for independ-
ence. and who thus influence the ignorant
masses. The second is the friars. VINO de-
sire prolongation of hostilities. because,
in peace between the Filipino and the
United States they see the end of their
prestige and the ultimate loss Of thir prop
critics and holdings. The third element 10
- Suppressed by the censor]
IF the civil committee brings liberal
ideas and will approach Aguinaldo to-day,
the idolized leader OF the Filipinos and the
other leaders still fighting. in a ~ay that
will make it possible for them to surrender
and yet retain the respect and honor OF
their countrymen, then peace in the Philip
pines will be only a question of few
weeks.
eff the civil commission will guarantee
protection of the Filipinos, leaving the de-
termination of our future political status to
the United States Congress. Aguinaldo will
come in, will order a cessation OF hostilities
and will direct the surrender of arms
your forceful sovereignty throughout the
islands is unmistakable. We now crave
your justice and your humanitarian. lenient
policy. General Otis has done much to rem
der feasible and possible the application OF
the peace project upon which I am now
working. To-day, in Manila, we see public
funds expended for the benefit of the peo-
ple. in the construction Of markets and
bridges. in schools. in a police force You
have made good marriage law. You have
established systems of municipal govern
ment and criminal procedure more liberal
and just than were contemplated by the
Filipino Constitution. These facts attest
your good faith, and our trust In the Amer
lean people is as strong as ever.