The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-03
AGUlNALDO TAKES
THE OATH OF FEALTY
Accepts MacArthur's Terms
of Amnesty.
ADVISED BY ARELLAN0
Acceptance Of United States Sover-
eighty Foleshadowed.
THIS IS THE BELIEF AT WASHINGTON
A Portion Of MacArthur's Dispatch Relating to
the Disposition Yet to be Made Of
AguinaIdo is Withheld From
the Public,
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, April 1.-THE War Depart
ment today received information from
General Macarthur that Aguinaldo has
taken the oath of allegiance to the United
States under the terms of amnesty offer-
ed by General Macarthur by direction
of the President The news came to the
Department in the following cablegram:
'.Adjutant General, Washington.
"Since arrival at Manila, Aguinaldo
has been at Malacanan investigating con-
ditions in archipelago. He has relied al
most entirely upon the Instructive advice
of Chief Justice Arellano. AS result
today he subscribed and swore to the dec
laration on page II of my annual report
(Signed) MACARTHUR.
The oath referred to is as follows:
II -, hereby renounce ali allie
glance to any and all so-called revolu-
tionary governments in the Philippine Is
lands and recognize and accept the SUI
preme authority of the United States of
America therein; l do solemnly 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 directly or indirectly
hold correspondence with or give intell1-
gence to any enemy of the United States,
nor will / abet, harbor or protect such
enemy that l impose upon myself these
voluntary obligations without any mental
reservations or purpose of evasion, so help
me God"
General MacArthur's dispatch contained
much more than was given to the pub
lie. The portion withheld related to the
future disposition of Aguinaldo and made
suggestions as to what the late chief OF
the insurrection might accomplish. NO
official statement could be obtained as to
what finally would be done with the pris-
oner. but it was emphatically stated that
he would be held for the present but
would be granted all possible immunity
consistent with existing conditions. Gen
eraI Macarthur has hopes that great
deal may be accomplished through Agui-
naldo. During the time he has been pris-
oner, he has made quite-a favorable i'm
preston upon General Macarthur
1t 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
proclamation which says that those who
have violated the laws of war are ex-
cepted from its terms. Whether or not
General Macarthur has satisfied himself
that Aguinaldo has not violated the laws
Of war cannot be started, as the prisoner
would be permitted to take the oath pend
ing an investigation of his past conduct.
Aguinaldo, having been the head of the
insurrection, undoubtedly can be held until
further Investigation is made, or until
the circumstances which surround the sit
uation in the Philippines make it advis-
able to release him outright or otherwise
dispose Of him. The conditions and the
general situation and Aguinaldo's rela-
ton to them were the subject of General
MacArthurs dispatch and are being con-
sidered by the authorities who will have
the final disposition of the matter.
The news of Aguinaldo's action was re-
ceived with evident satisfaction by the
War Department and the opinion was
expressed kat good results would follow
among those who have been still holding
out against the United States.
"Aguinaldos taking the oath OF allie
glance" said one member OF the Cablne'
today, emphasizes the Importance OF ms
capture. 1t makes more clear that the
insurrection has about reached It's enc
and foreshadows the early complete gen
eral acceptance of United States soyer-
eighty and authority. Only compara'
lively small number of Filipinos are still
in arms, and the effect Of Aguinaldos ac-
tion on them is obvious. From now on
we will press forward organizing the besi
government we can suited to the needs
Of the Philippines. Aguinaldo's submls-
sion will have a considerable bearing IL
his favor, in the determination OF the
matter of what to do with him. Tha'
will not be decided for some time ano
General Macarthur and the Philippine
Commission in the meantime will delib-
crate carefully over the question be-
fore reaching any conclusions.
Should the capture and submission OF
the Filipino chieftain mark the beginning
of the end in the Philippines, as is
expected, the effect upon the American
naval representation in Asiatic waters
will be very considerable reduction oil
our naval force in the East There are
at present about ffty-seven of our naval
vessels on the Asatic Station. good
many of them now will be sent home tC
form nuclei for new squadrons 1t is
possible that the European Station witt
headquarters in the Mediterranean, viii
be revived, and also that the recreation
of the old South Pacific Station will fol
low.