Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-03
HE TAKES THE OATH.
AguinaIdo Is Now Full Pledged
American Citizen.
Will Remain a Prisoner, in Charge Of
General Macarthur.
His Future Is ProbIematicaI, But His ton

Washington. April 1.-The war de-
partment. today. received informa ton
from Gen. Macarthur that Aguinaldo
has taken the oath of allegiance to the
United States under the terms of am
nesty offered by Gen. Macarthur by d.
recton of the President. The dispatch
conveying this information contained
much more than was given to the pub
lie. The portion withheld related to
the future disposition of Aguiraldo
and made suggestions as to what the
late chief of the insurrection might
accomplish. The dispatch follows:
Manila. Adjutant General Wash
ington. Since his arrival at Manila
Aguinaldo has been at Malacanan in
vestisating conditions in the archipeia-
go. He has relied almost entirely upon
the instructive advice of Chief Justice
Arellano. AS result. today. he sub
scribed and swore to the declaration
on page II of my annual report. (Sisn-
| ed Macarthur
The oath referred to is as follows:
Il, -, hereby renounce all allegi-
ance to any and all so-ca,led revolu-
tionary governments in the Philippine
Islands and recognize and accept the
supreme authority of the United States
of America therein: l do solemniy
swear that | will bear true faith and
allegiance to that government. that |
will at all times conduct myself as a
faithful and law abiding citizen of the
said islands, and will not. either di
rectly or indirectly, hold correspond
ence with or give intelligence to an
enemy of the United States. nor will l
q bet. harbOr or protect such enemy:
that / impose upon myself these vol
untary obligations without any men
tai reservations or purpose of evasion,
SO help me God.
Four astericks in the cablegram
mark a passage withheld from publ
cation. about which the officials say
nothing now.
No official statement could be obtain
cd as 10 what would finally be done
with the prisoner. 1t was emphaticalIy
stated. however. that he would be held
for the present. but would be granted
all possible immunity consistent with
existing conditions. Gen. Macarthur
has hoped that a great deal might be
accomplished through Aguinaldo. Dur
ing the time he has been prisoner
sion upon Gen. Macarthur.
1t has been suggested that under the
terms of the notice of amnesty the
prisoner should be set at liberty at
once, but there is a provision in the
amnesty proclamation which says that
those who have violated the laws of
war are excepted from these terms.
Whether or not Gen. Macarthur has
satisfied himself that Aguinaldo has
not violated the laws Of war cannot be
stated, as the prisoner would he per-
mittcd to take the oath pending an
investigation of his past conduct.
Aguinaldo having been the heal of
the insurrectiOn. undoubtedly can be
held until further investigation is made
or until the circumstances which sur
round the situation in the Philippines
make it advisable to release him out
fright or otherwise dispose Of him.
These conditions and the general sit
uatiOn and Aguinaldos relation to
them were the subject of Gen. MacAr-
thurs dispatch and are being consid-
cred by the authorities here VINO VIII
have the final disposition of the matter.
The news of Aguinaldos action was
received with evident satisfaction by
the war department. and the opii'!on
was expressed that good results would
follow among those who have been still
holding out against the United states.
The taking of the oath In itself IS
regarded as giving Aguina!do sta
tus of loyalty to the United states
quite different from those still in arms.
but the army regulations make no dis
tinct provision that the taking Of the
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