The age-herald., 1901-04-03
Information Comes in Cab|e- gram from MacArthuf REBEL ACTED UPON ADVICE Chief Justice Arellano Directed
 AguinaIdo's Action IT WILL HAVE QUILTING EFFECT Taking of the Oath Itself Is Regarded as Giving the Little General a Different Status From Those
 In Arms.
IT WILL HAVE QUILTING EFFECT

Washington, April .2-Secretary Root has made public the following cabIegram received at the War De- partment this morning at o'clock:
 Manila, April 9. "Adjutant General, Washington:
 "Slnce arrival at Manila Aguinaldo has been at Malacanan investigating conditions in archipelago. He has re- lied almost entirely upon the instruct i've advice of Chief Justice ArelIano. As result today he subscribed and swore to the declaration on page ii of my annual report.
 MACARTHUR"
 Washington April 2.-The War Depart ment today received information from General Macarthur that Aguinaldo had taken the oath of allegiance to the Uni ted States under the terms of amnesty offered by General MacArthur by direc- tion of the President. The dispatch con veying this information contained much more than was given to the public. The portion withheld related to the future disposition of Agunaldo and made sug- gestions to what he might accomplish. No official statement could be obtained as to what finally would be done with the prisoner, but it was emphatically stated that he would be held for the pres ent but would be granted all possible im-- munity consistent with existing condi- tions General Macarthur has hopes that a great deal may be accomplished through Aguinaldo. During the time he has been a prisoner he has made quite favorable impression upon General Macarthur
 It 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 proc lamation which says that those who have violated the laws of war are excepted from it's terms. These conditions and Aguinaldo's relations to them are the sub ject of General MacArthur's dispatch, and are being considered by the authori- ties here.
 The news of Aguinaldos action was re- ceived with evident satisfaction by the War Department and the opinion was ex pressed that good results would follow among those who are still holding out against the United States.
 Status of Loyalty.
 The taking of the oath itself is regarded as giving Aguinaldo a status of loyalty to the United States quite different from those still in arms. The departments in- structions for the government of armies in the field recite as follows:
 "The commander will throw the burden 4t-s on the disloyal citizens of the revolted province, and if he deems 1t appropriate, or if his government demands of him that every citizen shall. by an oath of al- legiance, declare his fidelity to the le- gitimate government he may expel, trans fer, imprison or fine the revolting citizens who refuse to take the oath, etc.
 "Whether it Is expedient to do so and whether reliance can be placed upon such oath, the commander for his government has the right to decide"
 In the present case General MacArthur has considered 1t expedient to have Agui- naldo take the oath, and apparently has held that reliance can be placed upon that oath.
 The War Department authorities say that offenses against the articles of war excepted in the proclamation of amnesty, refer to murders and like depredations. Only recently five Filipino officers were executed for such offenses. It is not known here whether Aguinaldo was re- sponsible in any case for such offenses, though from the fact that General Mac Arthur allowed him to take the oath of Allegiance, it is assumed that the conn mending general does not hold Aguinaldo to be chargeable with violation of the articles of war. It is believed General Macarthur will keep the ex-leader under his eve and avail himself of the good of of 1{na in zi ha nant of the insurgent forces.
 Reduction of Naval Force.
 Should the capture and submission of the Filipino chieftain mark the beginning of the end in the Philippines, 1t is added, Inc effect upon the American naval rep resentation in Asiatic waters will be a very considerable reduction of our naval force in the Far East. There are at crescent fifty-seven of our naval officials on the Asiatic station-a greater number than ever before, and includes some of inc finest battleships. cruisers and iron olads in the American navy. A good many of them will be now sent home to form a nucleus for new squadrons. It Ia possible that the European station, with headquarters in the Mediterranean will be revived and also that the re-cre- stion of the old South Pacific station will follow.
 There has been marked shortage of officers to fill important assignments in this country, owing to the drain that name from China and the Philippines, so that the homecoming of so many of the vessels will be welcomed. The Oregon and New York, both of which have been In the service in the far East for great while past already are setting sail for ,he United States, where they will be completely overhauled and repaired. Oth- .,- big vessels on the station are the Ixfr Hat (avxtx a1rx, .,Aich, however, has arrived just recently A., sthe station, and therefore is not likely sn be one of the vessels to return, and inc protected cruisers. New Orleans and Albany.