Unfortunately Luna intercepted the Buencamino commission.  Its head he kicked, cuffed and threatened with a revolver.  One of its members was General Gregorio del Pilar.  He was allowed to proceed, as he commanded a brigade of troops which might have deserted had he been badly treated, but Luna named three other men to go with him in place of those who had been originally appointed. [451] They were Gracio Gonzaga, Captain Zialcita, and Alberto Baretto.  They reached Manila on May 19, 1899, and during their stay there had two long interviews with the commission.

They said that they had come, with larger powers than had been conferred on Arguelles, to discuss the possibility of peace, the form of ultimate government which might be proposed in future, and the attitude of the United States government toward needed reforms.

Meanwhile, on May 4, we had laid before the President a plan of government informally discussed with Arguelles, and had received the following reply, authorizing, in substance, what we had suggested:—­

“Washington, May 5, 1899, 10.20 P.M.

“Schurman, Manila: 

“Yours 4th received.  You are authorized to propose that under the military power of the President, pending action of Congress, government of the Philippine Islands shall consist of a governor-general, appointed by the President; cabinet, appointed by the governor-general; a general advisory council elected by the people; the qualifications of electors to be carefully considered and determined; the governor-general to have absolute veto.  Judiciary strong and independent; principal judges appointed by the President.  The cabinet and judges to be chosen from natives or Americans, or both, having regard to fitness.  The President earnestly desires the cessation of bloodshed, and that the people of the Philippine Islands at an early date shall have the largest measure of local self-government consistent with peace and good order.

“Hay.” [452]

Our proclamation of April 4, 1899, was also taken up at their request and was gone over minutely, sentence by sentence.  We were asked to explain certain expressions which they did not fully understand.

They told us that it would be hard for their army to lay down its arms when it had accomplished nothing, and asked if it could be taken into the service of the United States.  We answered that some of the regiments might be taken over and employment on public works be found for the soldiers of others.

We endeavoured to arrange for an interview with Aguinaldo, either going to meet him or assuring him safe conduct should he desire to confer with us at Manila.

They left, promising to return in three weeks when they had had time to consider the matters under discussion, but they never came back.

Shortly thereafter there was an odd occurrence.  Soon after our arrival we had learned that Mr. Schurman was a man of very variable opinions.  He was rather readily convinced by plausible arguments, but sometimes very suddenly reversed his views on an important subject.