New-York tribune., 1899-02-10
LAW AND OUTLAWS.

Legally AgunadO and his rebels are outlaws
subjects of Spain who have violated the proto-
col biuding the people Of two nations not 10
make war on each other while treaty oi peace
is pending. Aguinaldo in his proclamation ne
fore the battle of last Saturday formally de-
clared war and made himself dictator jntll
the treaty has been signed by the Queen OF
Spain it is not complete The rights OF the
United States are precisely the same respecting
him and his followers as if ii had been signed
because with the assent of Spain this Nation
has undertaken to preserve order and suppress
lawlcsS violence while She protocol Is in force.
As things stand Aguinaldo is an outlaw at war
with all government. If the treaty were in full
effect he would be an American subject warrlng
against this Government In either case the
bower 10 put down armed hostility to law Is
complete anywhere within the actual power OF
tbc United States forces. He and his followers
can be executed. not as prisoners OF war but as
outlaws at the pleasure of military authority.
Consideration would be due to him on the
ground that he was deceived by United States
senators. If they had not been still more de-
ccivcd by him. The intercepted dispatches be-
tween his agents at Washington and Manila
show that the outbreak was dictated from this
side The ridiculous pretences he has made or
representing an organized government. which ia
fact governs nothing would not have cheated
anybody excepting United States Senators who
mistake prejudice for conscience or partisan
ship for patriotism. AguinaldO piled them with
untruths which nobody else would believe, and
it is not to his credit that they afterward en-
couragcd him to rebel against all civilized law.
The Government expects that General Otis,
after wears Of distinction in suppressng say
hon
10 deal with the uncivilized followers Of
Aguinado, whether barbarOus enough to pro
claim dictatorship and wear n gold collar as
he did or TO go naked into action with bows
and arrows against modern weapons, as did
those he put in the forefront of battle. This Is
the Philippine independence for which some
Senators have voted, and measures their con
cepton Of such civilized government as the
United States ought to permit and uphold. 1t
is one of the traits Of such barbarlans, whether
naked or wearing gold collars, that they cannot
tell the truth if they try. But trained Indian
fighter will know how to calculate on savage
pledges and ambuscades. The time to have a
truce with men of that sort is when they can
not fight any longer, even If a resting spell is
given them.
The Nation has to bear in mind that its first
ana highest uulA IL luteI W plOl'Nt tAt
lives. property and rights Of citizens Of other
countries and the United States dwelling in
Philippine ports. 1t cannot with honor or safety
neglect that obligation. which is exactly the
same today rs if the Peace Treaty had been
signed by both parties 70 that end the occu-
patton and entire control of any important Phil
ippinc port is necessary, so that no armed bodies
not under the direction Of any recognized and
civilized government shall have lives and prop
crty at their command Dispatches indicate
that General Otis will attend to that matter
without delay, and will meanwhile deepen the
anxiety of Aguinaldo for a truce. Probably we
may soon hear of Aguinaldo arriving at
Hong Kong leaving those he has duped 10 dis
l.crSe and submit to civilized authority. But nll
who still remain in arms will have to be fol-
lowed with vigor and promptness, so that saw
ages may not retain the idea that American
courtesy and patience and mercy mean coward
ice or weakness.