The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-06
MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE
Unlimited Advice Concerning the
Disposal of AguinaIdo.
ommunications to the President
and OGciaIs-OHers of Cash for the
Privilege of Exhibiting the Fill
piuo - Some of the ProposnIs

|
| The Government has been offered no
end of assistance in endeavoring to reach
a determination as to what disposition is
to be made of Aguinaldo. The President.
| the Secretary of War, and other public
| officials have received scores OF kilograms
and letters from American citizens con-
| tanning suggestions in the matter Nearly
| all of these have apparently been made
| in good faith. Several people have offered
| to take Aguinaldo off the hands of the
| Government. and are willing to pay for
| the privilege of holding him. One notable
| thing about these communications is that
| practically all of them suggest that the
Tasal leader be brought to the United
| States.
SO far the President and his advisers
have not reached any conclusion con-
corning Aguinaido's future. Their state
of mind is probably pretty well de-
scribed by poetic correspondent styling
himself THE Poet of Winnisook,' who
| starts off his discussion of the question
they are considering in this way:
What shall we do with Aggie?
Pray say what shall we do?
Elihu looked at William.
And William at Elihu.
The Poet of Winnisook'' does not an
swer the question for Mr.. Mckinley and
Mr.. Root, but many of his fellow-citizens
have had 70 difficulty in reaching conclu-
sions and are perfectly willing to give the
Government the benefit of their thought.
The names and specific addresses of these
people are not obtainable. but some Of
the communications were read to a re-
porter by officials yesterday. One came
from a Massachusetts man. who tele-
TO-
the newspapers printed the Manila story
of Aguinaldo's capture that he would give
$50. 900 to the Government for the custody
of Aguinaldo for one hundred nights. He
said that he wanted Aguinaldo to deliver
a lecture on each of the nights. and was
willing to furnish a bond for his safe re-
turn at the end of the specified period.
The man who made this offer is said
to be well known, but his name is with
held
Another man who believes there is big
money in Aguinaldo a show attraction.
has offered $25O.OO0 for his custody for one
year. He offers to furnish a guaranteed
bond for his return.
\ citizen Of Massachusetts, evidently
not a subscriber to the principles of the
Boston anti-imperialists, wants the Gov
ernment to exhibit the chieftain. II would
like to have him come here" he says,
ito see the greatness of the United States.
The Government could make back its war
expenses by exhibiting him at % cents
admission"
There is man in Maryland who thinks
with some officials in Washington that
Aguinaldo will be a white elephant on
the hands of the Government, and says
so in & letter now on the files of the War
Department. To save the Government |
from embarrassment he offers $500 a week |
for the use of Aguinaldo "as long as he |
remains in my keeping and promises to |
return him 'on demand.
A Georgian, of a religious turn of mind, |
sent a letter suggesting that the Filipino |
leader be brought to the United States |
ana shown the error of his ways by the |
exertion of Christian influence. His COM
munication indicates that he regards |
Aguinaldo as a benighted heather. He |
says he wants Aguinaldo to attend all |
the Christian conventions in this country
to show him what the Christian religion |
is.
a high official of the Government resid-
ing in Washington has made a suggestion
which he says he wants to be taken Sc
riousy. His name cannot be given on
account Of his position. His idea is that
Aguinaldo could be used to exemplify the |
scheme of a republican
form OF government.
Have his name changed by law to
George Washington Aguinaldo." he says. |
Then set aside fifty square miles of un-
occupied Government land as a territory |
and make G.. w. Aguinaldo it's Governor
on condition that Governor Boutwell,, Ed |
ward Atkinson. ErYing Winslow. and |
other anti-imperialist leaders shall take |
up quarter sections there. Then leave
them alone to work out their ideas of |
government, and the rest OF the Ameri- |
can people viii find out how the thing
ought TO be done
One of the Presidents correspondents
suggests something along the same line. |
He thinks that Aguinaldo should be
turned over to the Boston .'antis' to dis
pose of him they see fit.
Most of the persons who have written |
on the subject for the benefit |
of the Administration believe that |
A guinaldo should be treated kindly and |
A few, however. want him
severely punished. one Columbus man |
demands that he be sent to the Ohio |
for life, and threatens to |
vote the Democratic ticket If his desires |
are not followed. The most bloodthirsty |
Is that Aguinaldo be taken to |
some place where thousands OF people can |
stand in the middle, and that twelve cav |
alrymen armed with lances charge down
upon him and spear him to death.
All these kilograms and letters are |
being kept by the officials to whom they |
are addressed. and will be retained in the
files Of the White House and the several
departments until Aguinaldo's fate has
been decided Those from men of promi-
hence will be examined personally by the
President.
A rrrTnENTc tn TuE ruop NrroN |