Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-04
kCU|NALD0 DEAD
BELIEVED THAT REPORT IS TRUE
THIS TIME.
OUR GREAT EASTERN TRADE.
Far Better Feeling In the Islands
Business Growing by Leaps
and Bounds.

New York, Jan. 3.-Benjamin Ide
Wheeler, president of the University OF
California, who is now staying at the
Waldorf-Astoria hotel has received in
formation from secret sources in the
Philippines to the effect that Aguinaldo
is dead and that his death occurred no
less than six weeks ago. The news has
been kept secret by Aguinaldo's follow
ers, it is said, for the purpose of pro-
longing the rebellion since it vas be-
leved that the news of the chiefs death
would cause such discouragement and
alarm that an utter captulation would
result.
President Wheeler obtained this news
through several Filipino children who
have been placed in his care by their
parents. Two are the sons of Buenca
mno, a wealthy Filipino. who. before
the advent of the Americans in the
Philippines had been an active leader
of the rebellion against the Spanish.
President Wheeler has in his possession
the children of Midel. the governor of
Mindanao, and several boys whose par
ents are in the wealthy class. In speak
ing of the reported death of the chief
insurrectionist. President Wheeler said:
'These boys Of mine. as l may call
them, receive frequent communications
from parents and friends at home. The
information which was obtained con-
corning the death of Aguinado, l I'M
derstand. came from secret and trust
worthy sources and is probably true.
The father of two of these boys is
Buencamino. a wealthy citizen of Ma
Mia. who hefoye the Americans came
was most active in the rebellion against
Spain. l understand he was a close
friend of AGuinailo, and has kept in
touch with that remarkable parsonage
even after Buencamino himself took
neutral stand. Buencamino did not
however take a firm stand on the side
OF America until recently.
These Filipino lads" continued Presi-
dent Wheeler. are bright fellows and
most quick to learn. However. I cam
not say that they have the stanchness
and soidity of American youths Be
fore the flag of this country was raised
in the islands such boys as these would
have been sent to the schools of Spain
tor their graduate studies. Now thew
come to us. They have already received
some instruction a the hands of the
Jesults at home. In order to fit them
Tor the university it was necessary to
place them in preparatory schools
other families are also making arrange
ments by which their children will
come to our shores and benefit by our
institutions. Those who cannot come
are to have American thought and edu-
cation carried to them. Almost every
steamer which leaves San Francis for
Manila carries parties of teachers who
are going to posts in Philippine schools
-. The commercial bonds between the
racine coast and our Orient possessions
are growing stronger and greater with
every month The people of San Fran
cisco have begun to think of Manila as
about as near to them as Chicago Our
trans-Pacific trade which is assuming
wonderful proportions. is only an in
stance OF the great commerce that will
come to us in after years."
President Wheeler said that the object
OF his visit to this city was to choose
an architect for the new school of mines
at the university. He said that the
plans OF the university buildings, which
are to he erected at cost of S.. 900 600
10 sl0ooo,OoO. through the generosity of
MRS. Phoebe Hearst, have now been
changed and that great economy has
been assured hy the change The school
or mines is to be built as soon as an
afch1tect is chosen to perfect the de-
tailed plans.