The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-30
OFFICIALS IN A QUANDARY
Recognition of Funston PuZZling
the Administration.

Regular Army Officers Opposed to
His Being Mndc II BriEndier Cen
eraI - Importance of AguinRido's
CAPTURE Being Greatly Minimizcd.
What 10 do with Funston rather than
the disposition to be made of his cap
tive is just now TIE burning question in
Administration circles AguinaldO is
safe in the hands of the authorities, AMI
his future can be determined at almost
any time. but the friends of General
Funston and the public are clamor.ns
for proper reward for the achievement
accomplished by the little Kansan.
The only recognition deemed al pro-
pirate. and which 1t is within the power
of the President to hes:ow upon him, is
to make him a brigaiier general in the
Regular Army. The mers suggestion
of this distinction is bitterly antagon-
- ized in army circles. and viii be strCng-
ly opposed by practically all the line
officers of the regular organization.
This fact has already developed.
Under the provisions of the new Army
law, volunteer officers are ineligible to
appointment in the line of the regular
establishment anywhere between the
grades of first lieutenant and brigadier
general. OF course. it is not to be ex-
pected that General Funston would ac-
cept a lieutenancy. although several
weeks ago. when his friends asked that
he be retained in the regular organiZa-
tion they were told that there was moth
ing for him save commission as first
lieutenant.
His commission as a brigadier Sener-
al Of volunteers expires on June 80, and
unless he enters the Regular Army he
will of necessity leave the service.
There is now one vacancy in the list OF
brigadier generals, and within a brief
period there will be another but for
some time ii has been regarded that the
selections for these two places had been
practically decided upon. Il is not the
fact that some officer of the line will be
disappointed in having Funston step in
ahead of him in this position that has
brought out the protest on the part of
army officers. II is TIE fact that Fun
ston is only thirty-five years Of age, is
not West Pointer. and would in the
ordinary course of events become COM
mandiHg general Of the army and retain
that position for many years. thus shut
ting out many officers of the line who
would be retired under the age limit be-
fore they could ever hope to reach that
honor.
n L.. l..
vanced beyond brigadier generalship.
and some otter officer might jump him
by appointment by the President but
such a thing is regarded as hardly
probable. General Funston being in
line of promotion. would doubtless be
made Lieutenant General of the Army
when his turn came.
This fact, the officers of the line rec
egnize, and consequently they have ret
been slow in their attempts to belittIe
his achievement. They declare that the
capture of Aguinaldo is not of particu-
lar Importance at t..is time. There is
also a disposition to slur at his feat
Only a day or two before the news Of
Aguinaldo's capture reached Washing
ton Secretary Root spoke of Funston's
brass band methods in going 20 cap
ture the insurgent chieftain, and ex-
pressed little confidence in the success
OF his undertaking.
1t is noteworthy fact that Funston
Is not asking for any reward. and has
not sought for promotion or favors
since he has been in the service. He
was made colonel of Kansas regiment
by a Populist Governor. although he is
a Republican. and his promotion was
made in recognition Of his services and
not by the use Of any political infiu-
ence- His friends are, however. active
in his interest. Senator Burton and
Representatives Long and Clrtis, Of
Kansas, who are in Washington, had
an interview with the President yes
terday in regard to their distinguished
constituent, and strongly pressed his
claims for commission as brigadier
general in the regular service. The
President, it is said, is disposed to cen
Ter this honor upon the Kansas soldier
despite the opposition in army circles.
He was particularly impressed by the
cablegram from General Macarthur.
giving full credit to Funston for the
plan and execution of the capture.
Funston's friends are also warm in
their praise for General Macarthur.
Both the disposal Of Aguinaldo and
the reward for Funston were subiacts
which occupied the major portion of the
attention OF the Cabinet at its meeting
yesterday. No definite decision was
reached in either matter. however. The
only thing which seems to be settled IL
that Aguinaldo is to be treated as a
prisoner Of war, and that he viii not be
executed. While this is not an official
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