Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-12-12
We Would Be Puzzled at
His Surrender.
WANT HIM TO ESCAPE
His Capture Would Be Embarrassing
Since He Ought to Be Shot-If
He Should Succeed in Getting
Away From the Islands the
Situation Would Be Greatly
Simplifed.

simplified.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE question
of the treatment of Aguinaldo in the
case OF his capture or voluntary sur
| sideration of the president and his ad-
visers, but so far as known, without
final conclusion. The matter has been
left open for future determination, and
the action of the government will be
general proposition the present cam
paign in the Philippines has for its
main purpose the complete overthrow
of the insurrection and the establish
ment of United States sovereignty in
the archipelago. To accomplish this
end the efforts of General Otis are prin-
cipally directed to the capture or de-
struction of the insurgent forces in the
field Although Aguinaldo is held re-
| sponsible for the insurrection, and is
recognized as its leading spirit, there
is authority for the statement that the
military authorities in Washington are
| Indifferent as to the future career of
that individual. Inasmuch as no spec
ial efforts are to be made for his cap
ture, it is hardly probable that the ad-
| mi CT Garint1c
sideration to proposition for his per-
sonal surrender.
| From recent statements openly made
| by Secretary Root and Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin, and they undoubtedly
voiced the sentiments of the president
on the matter, it appears that the es-
cape of Aguinaldo from the island
would be welcomed rather than de-
piored, as relieving the situation of Sc
rious embarrassments almost certain
to result from any possible treatment
of Aguinaldo as prisoner. \ few days
ago, when the army was supposed to
be close on the heels OF the insurgent
leader, Secretary Root was asked the
direct question what the government
proposed to do with him in the event
of his capture II don't know that we
want to catch Aguinaldo,' said the sec
retary. What would we do with him
if we had him? We are not after him
particularly. What we want is his
army If we capture or destroy that
we do not care so very much what be-
comes of Aguinaldo. His escape would
undoubtedly simplify and improve the
situation in the Philippines, after the
be much better all around if Aguinaldo
got away. But, at any rate, it will be
time to decide that question when we
catch him, without troubling ourselves
about it in advance"
Secretary Root gave the impression
that he thought that Aguinaldo would
be entirely willing to pose as mar
tyr to the cause of Filipino indipen-
dence. His execution as a traitor or
his retention in the islands as a pris-
oner might have a bad effect on the
natives of the Philippines, and might
possibly seriously retard the recon-
struction of the government by the
United States. 1t is generally acknowl-
edged that the disposition of the
Filipino leader is apt to be a trouble
some problem for the administration.
AS already indicated, his escape to
some foreign country would probably
be welcomed as the easiest solution of
the problem. although the same end
might be served through his death in
event might result in exciting the SYM
pathy of his people and put him in
the position of a martyr. Should AS-
uinaldo escape to Hong Kong or some
as likely that the government would
take any steps for his apprehension,
preferrinS 20 let him work out his own
salvation in some foreign country. In
case he fell into the hands of the
United States, however, it would be
necessary for the administration to de-
termine his disposition.
He might possibly be shot as a trail
tor, or confined indefinitely as a pris-
oner of war 1t is also possible that he
might be released on parole, on condi-
ton that he remain outside the juris-
diction of the United States, and never
seek to interfere with it's authority,
either in the Philippines or elsewhere.