The times., 1899-11-28

or another; and that. being together able
to promote and secure the peace OF the
world they win be very apt to use their
force majeure with that innocent and be-
nign object in view.
Wbat TO DO With AguinnIdo.
In Administration circles there appears
TO be some doubt as to what ought to be
done with AguinaIdo in case that e,usive
individual should ultimately be captured.
Il is said that Mr.. Mckinley might be re-
strained from adopting drastic measures
in the connection. fearing an effect upon
the Filipino native mind injurious TO our
interests. Probably such an apprehension
would be groundless. Luna. whom Aguin-
aldo butchered, was popular Tagal but
his treacherous assassination does not seem
to have created any friction in the camp of
the mutineeTs. and We doubt If the eXecu-
ton Of the head rebel would excite much
native interest or attention.
In principle there is no proper reason
why Aguinaldo should not be tried by
court martial and hanged as soon as con-
v.cted. No one has ever thought of acco d.
j
light Of our laws and Of international law
he has never been more than the criminal
leader of a municipal iRsurrection; and, as
such. is liable TO the penalty of death fer
treason. The mere fact that his crime has
been more or less a result of the encour-
agement and aid he received from so-cailed
statesmen and other adherents and sympa-
.E,s-~-- =: ~, 1~-f+o4 ut.+o- doc MT sprya
10 qualify its character, or his status as
brigand and q murderer. Whether regard
ed simply in the light of q common male
factor richly deserving death. or in that
of bIoodthirsty ana treacherous out aw
dangerous to the peace of the Philippines,
he should be put out Of the way, if that
can be done legally and honorably. We
have not the least doubt that it can.
If anyone chooses TO question the JUS
tice or propriety of killing Aguinaldo, his
attention should be called to the most re-
cent official" action of this marauding
Malay whom Senator Hoar and others hold
up TO public admiration as a Washington,
a Lafayette, and Lincoln, On November
Is instant. the fleeing leaders of the mu-
bang. In addition 10 members of the So
called Filipino Cabinet, there were present
I at the meeting Agulnaldo Pho del Pillar,
Garcia and Alejandrino 1t was decided
by these miscreants that organized resist
ance being no longer possible, the rebel
bodies should break up into small parties
and become guerriIlas. numbering Amer
and whenever they could be reached.
In accordance with orders issued at this
council on the day following the with
drawsI of our troops from Mlasiqui, the
only town recently taken and not protected
by a garrison, q guerrilla party entered the
place, and because the native civil authori-
ties had welcomed MacArthur's soldiers.
seized the president, vice president. and
FIVE members Of the municipal council and
publicly cut their Jhroats, warning the in
Eabitants that like tate awaited all friends
Of the Americans
Even If AguinaIdo had been previously
accorded belIigerent rights, resort to this
sort Of warfare would place him beyond
the pale OF mercy. and under the laws of
war. make il the duty of the general who
should capture him to give him the short
shrift OF a drum-head court martial and
a rope. Judged by all the antecedents and
circumstances Of his case. he is not entitled
tc the least show of pity. He and all the
other TagaI leaders who have aided and
abetted him in the perpetration OF such
crimes as that at Mlasiqui. should be killed
on sight.
As a matter Of example and with a
view to the future peace of Luzon, We are
convinced that Aguiualdo ought not to be
allowed to live an hour after ne is taken
II he ever is. And in advancing this propo-
siuon we feel that We are foregoing a
great satisfaction. For. If kept while and
sent over to this country, Aguinaldo might
be able to tell committee Of Congress
from what patriots in Manila he bought
arms and ammunition in exchange for iute,
rice. and tobacco. 1t can be readily i'm
agined that from certain hearts prayers go
up nightly that disclosures worse than bad
beef may be prevented by the willy Malays
sudden death at the hands Of some care
less soldier.