Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1899 — PEACE MISSION A FARCE. [ARTICLE]

PEACE MISSION A FARCE.

Aguinaldo’s Envoys Once More Ask that an Armistice Be Granted. Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, commander of the insurgent forces in front of Gen. Lawton's division; Lieut. Col. Alberto Barretto, Judge Advocate Maj. Zealcita of Aguinaldo’s staff and Senor Graciognzaga, a former member of the Filipino cabinet, commissioners appointed to co-operate with Senores Florintino Torres, Pablo Campo and Teodore Yanco of Manila, for the purpose of negotiating terms of peace with the American commissioners, reached Manila by a special train from Malolos Saturday morning. The party was closeted with Gen. Otis for more than an hour; but the interview was decidedly unsatisfactory, the commission having nothing definite to propose and being unempowered to negotiate terms. The commissioners brought a communication directed from Aguinaldo asking for an armistice pending the decision of the Filipino congress as to what policy should be adopted. As before, Gen. Otis refused to entertain the proposition. Gens. Luna and Rio del Pilar and their forces are opposed to surrender. They want to continue the war and have used every influence in their power to prolong hostilities. Gen. Luna has always been rated as one of the most irreconcilable of the rebels, and his action some time ago, In sending two of his officers to ask for a truce, pending negotiations for a settlement of the revolt, caused surprise. It is evident now that his action was the result of orders from Aguinaldo. The instructions given the commissioners, Gen. Luna knew, the Americans would not accept. He saw a chance for delay, and probably agreed to send the commission so that he might, pending the parley, recoup his losses sustained in the field. Consul General Wildman at Hong Kong stopped a shipment of arms for the Filipinos. One American and four Englishmen were concerned in the conspiracy.