The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-29
AGUINALDO'S FATE
1T is ALL THE TALK IN WASHING
TON.
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH HIM ?
AND WHAT IS TO BE FUNsToN's RE
WARD

Secretaries Long and Root and
Everybody in OmciaI Life Very
Much PIeased-No Disposition to BE
Hard on the Distinguished Cap
tive.
Washington, March 2S.-The news of
Gen. Aguinaldo's capture by Gen. Funs-
ton was received everywhere in official
circles with intense qualification, but,
perhaps, nowhere did it create more sat
isfaction than at the White House The
first official news to reach the executive
mansion was Gen. MacArthur's dispatch
announcing the capture, which came
about midnight last night. This morning
the President also saw Admiral Remey's
cablegram and the press dispatches.
The cablegram from Gen. Macarthur
reads:
Gen. Funston has just returned from
expedition 20 Palanan, province of Isa-
hela, where he captured Aguinaldo, who
is now in my possession at Malacanan.
Particulars later
Gen. Macarthur later cabled additional
details of the capture of Aguinaldo. The
most important statement in his cable
gram is as follows:
81 hope for speedy cessation of hostir-
ties throughout Archipelago as a conse-
quence of this stroke. AS result of con-
ference now in progress, it is probable
Aguinaldo will issue an address advising
general surrender, delivery of arms and
Of
Gen. Macarthur says that all credit
must be given to Gen. Funston for the
capture of Aguinaldo, and recommends
that he be made brigadier general in the
regular army.
Admiral Remey's cablegram is as fol-
lows:
"Cavite, March 2s.-To Bureau of Nav
igation, Washington. sailed on
Sth with Gen. Funston and SO Maccabe-
bees aboard on expedition to capture
Aguinaldo. Returned to-day. Aguinaldo
and three staff officers captured and de-
livered to custody of Gen. Macarthur.
"Remey."
The President Is Pleased.
The President naturally is very much
gratified that the chief mover of the in
surrection has at last been taken. 1t
has been the opinion of the military au-
thorities for long time that Aguinaldo
was doing more than all the other agen-
cies combined to keep the rebellion in the
Philippines alive, and every en-
ergy was directed to com
pass his capture. 1t is rather
a remarkable tribute to the daring and
resourcefulness of Gen. Funston that hong
before he made the attempt he was Sc
lected by the authorities here as the OFF,
Ger who might accomplish It, 1t was the
intention of Gen. Funston some time ago
to return to the United States, but by
direction of the War Department he was
detained in the Philippines in the hope
that just such contingency as did arise
should give him the opportunity to test
his prowess. Both the President and War
Department were fully informed of the
trap laid to capture the insurgent chief,
and the result of the expedition has been
anxiously awaited for several days.
Discussing Funston's Reward.
Several interesting and, indeed, vital
questions are raised by Aguinado's cap
ture If the insurrection now collapses,
as it is hoped it will, it may not be nee
essary to enlist the full strength of the
army provided for in the army reorgani-
zation bill. There also is the question of
the disposition to be made of the insur-
gent chief. But it is too early yet for
the authorities to decide these questions.
There also is much speculation as to the
reward which Gen. Funston may receive
for his work. 1t is considered not i'm
probable that his reward will be COM
mission in the regular establishment.
In cabinet circles Gen. Funstons ex-
pIoit was referred to in laudetory terms.
and the probable effect it will have in the
termination of hostilities in the Philip
pines was generally discussed.
What VIII BE Done with Him.
Secretary Long expressed the prevailing
sentiment He naturally was much graf
flied at the official confirmation OF Agui-
naldo's capture and of the assistance that
the navy had been able to render Gen.
Funston in facilitating his exploits.
The Secretary said he presumed that
Aguinaldo would be held as prisoner of
war.
"What will be done with him?' Mr..
Long was asked.
'It is a little early to say" he replied,
and then after a pause, he added, smiling
ly. "I should say that he should be
spanked with shingle."
Il was suggested to the Secretary that,
MS a prisoner of war, who has rebelled
against the authority of the United
States, IT might be incumbent, under mill
itary procedure, to deal with Agunaldo
bv those rigorous steps usual to warfare.
But MIR. Long shook his hand, and re-
marked that was hardly the way we were
in the habit of doing things. he was
more inclined to his first view, that the
noted prisoner should be well spanked"
His Head Not in Danger.
Ihis idea as to the treatment to be ac-
corded Agulnaldo seems to be the one
most generally accepted among officials.
and while the suggestion of spanking"
ls used in a hgurative sense, there is no
suggestion in any quarter that he Will
meet with that rigorous punishment at
times administered TO the arch-head OF
an insurrection.
Particularly in the war department did
the capture of Aguinaldo cause discussion
among the officials. As TO the disposition
40 be made Of the famous prisoner, some
OF the army officers expressed the opinion
that Il would prove troublesome.
Former EmbarrasHments.
Secretary Root said he remembered the
nanture OF President Jefferson Davis, also
ths arrest Of william NJ Tweed, both OF
which embarrassed the authorities. The
eerretary desired further adyices from
0en Macarthur before discussing the
,netter in great detail He would say iit-
~ ~ nothing about the disposition Of
AgufnaidO further than that he probably
- .NI Nnt4