The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-05
TAKES OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE
UNITED STATES.
HE Is STILL HELD IN PRISON
Oath Taken After Investigation OF
the Situation Through Information
Furnished Him by FfIipino.-To be
still Held Pending Inquiry into His
Conduct and Determination as to HI
Future-Good Results Expected from
His Taking the Oath.

Washington. April 2-The war de-
partment today received information
from General Macarthur that Aguinal-
do has taken the oath of allegiance TO
the United States under the terms OF
mnesty offered by Genera Macarthur
by direction of the president. The news
came to the department in the follow
ing cablegram:
Manila,
"Adjutant General. Washington.
Since arrival at Manila Aguinaldo
has been at Malacanan investigating
conditions in the archipelago. He has
relied almost entirely upon the instruc-
tive advise of Chief Justice Arellano.
AS a result today he subscribed and
swore to the declaration on Page II. of
my n report
MACARTHUR"
The oath referred to is as follows:
Thereby all allegiance TO
n and all So-called evolutionary gov
ernments in the Philippine island and
recognize and accept the supreme au-
thority OF the United States of Amer
lea therein; L do solemnly swear that l
will bear true faith and allegiance to
that government; tina / will at all
times conduct myself as a faithful and
iaw-abiding citizen of the said islands,
and will not, either directly or indirect
ly, hold correspondence with or give
Intelligence to an enemy of the United
States, nor will 1 abet, harbor or pro-
tect such enemy; that i impose upon
myself these voluntary obligations
without any mental reservations or
nIIrnOSa Of eva sion S0 helm mo Cod -
General MacArthu's dispatch contain
ed much more han was given to the
public. The portion withheld related
to the future disposition of Aguinaldo
and suggestions as to what the late
chief of the insurrectlon might ac-
complish. No official statement could
be obtained as to what finally would
be done with the prisoner, but it vas
emphatically stated that he would be
held for the present, but would be
granted all possible immunity consist
ent with existing conditions. General
Macarthur has hopes that a great deal
may be accomplished through Aguinal-
do. During the time he has been pris-
oner, he has made quite a favorable i'm
preston upon General Macarthur.
1t has been suggested that under the
terms of the notice of amnesty the priS-
oner should be set at liberty at once,
but there is a provision in the amnesty
pI oCldllldtlOH WHICH says lid l1OSt
who have violated the laws of war are
excepted from it's terms. Whether or
not General Macarthur has satisfied
himself that Aguinaldo has not violat-
ed the laws of war cannot be stated,
as the prisoner would be permitted to
take the oath pending an investigation
of his past conduct.
A~guinaldo, having been the head of
the inSurrection, undoubtedly can be
hold ,,o+i1 - 70 ~ racS;~ot snn 60 -.n1n
or until the circumstances which sur
round the in the Philippines
make it advisable to release him out
right or otherwise dispose of him.
These conditions and the general sit
uation and A~guinaldo's relation to them
were the subject of general MacAr-
thurs dispatch and are being consid-
cred by the authorities who will have
the final disposition of the matter.
The news of A~guinaldo's action vas
received with evident satisfaction by
the war department and the opinion
was expressed that good results would
follow among those who have been still
holding out against the United States.
"~Aguinaldo's taking the oath of al
legiance" said one member of the cabi-
net today, emphasizes h importance
of his capture. 1t makes more clear
that the insurrection has about reach
ed it's end, and foreshadows the early
complete general acceptance of United
States sovereignty. Only a compare
lively small number of Filipinos are
still in arms, and the effect of Aguinal-
dos action on them is obvious. From
now on we will press forward organiz-
ing the best government we can suited
to the needs OF the Philippines. Agui-
naldo's submission will ave a consid-
cradle bearing in his favor, in the de-
termination Of h matter Of what to
do with him. That will not be decided
for sometime, and General Macarthur
and the Philippine commission, mean
time, will deliberate carefully over the
question before reaching any conclu-
sions."
Should the capture and submission OF
the Filipino chieftain mark the begin
ming of the end in the Philippines. as
is expected, the effect upon the Ameri-
can naval representation in Asiatic wa
tiers will be a very considerable red
ton of our naval force in the east.
There are at present about fifty-seven
of our naval vessels on the Asietic sta
ton. A good many of them now will
be sem home TO form nuclei for new
squadrons. 1t is possible that the Eu-
ropean station, with headquarters in
the Mediterranean, Will be revived, and
also that the recreation of the old
| South Pacific station will follow.