New-York tribune., 1901-03-29
ALL PRALSING FUNSTON
CAPTURE OF AGUINALDO REGARDED AS
A FINAL BLOW To ORGANIZED
INSURRECTION.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRBUNE.l


Washington. March 2S-No occurrence in the
Philippines since Dewey's victory at Manila has
excited so much comment in Washington
Funston's capture of Agunaldo. The achieve
ment is generally regarded the climax to the
long and unbroken series of victories of the
American troops over the insurgents and as the
final blow 10 organized opposition 10 this coun-
trys sovereignty i'll the entire archipelago. Great
qualification. but little surprise, expressed
by the responsible chiefs in the War Depart
ment at the capture because from the inception
Of the scheme TO catch AguinaldO Secretary Root
and Adjutant General Corbin have been kept
informed by cable of every movement OF the
expedition. They felt assured that Aguinaldo
would be either captured killed. and that
the remnant OF his somewhat formidable
band Of fighters would be scattered or suffer
the fate that was in store for him. AS an evil
dence of their confidence in the success OF the
expedition they decided more than week ago.
as was told in the Washington correspondence
OF The Tribune. TO visit the islands early in the
summer with the View Of reducing the strength
of the army and to assist in transferring
thorty from military TO civil government.
Great credit is gven General Funston for hi.
daring feat 1t is pointed that 1t is on a
par with the performance of Lieutenant Hob
son in sinking the Merrmac at Santiago. and
as Hobson was chosen by Sampson TO bottle
up Cervera's fleet, at the imminent risk OF life
10 every on the Merrmac. because of his
special fitness for the work. did General Mac
Arthur choose Funston to lead the brave band
in search OF !Aguinaldo. because OF Funston's
proved fitness for this kind of service. In point
OF fact, General Funston has been held in the
Philippines for months just for the purpose Of
making the final hunt for Aguinaldo. This
statement was made to-day to a Tribune repre-
sentative by one OF the highest officials in the
War Department. From the President and his
Cabinet officers down through the list of Off
cials of high rank nothing but unstinted praise
OF Funston has been heard in administration
circles to-day. and when it learned that the
President had a cable dispatch to General
Macarthur bearing hearty congratulations TO
Funston. the of the little Kansas gem
eral." as he is called. was hailed throughout the
capital as that OF the latest national hero.
FUNSToN'S PROBABLE REWARD.
How General Funston's future career will be
affected by his notable achievement is a matter
of varied speculation. II is known that he is
fond of active military life, as attested by his
following that career almost without intermis-
sion since he Joined the Cuban insurgents five
years ago, and soon rose to the grade of major
OF artillery In the organization commanded by
General Maxine Gomez II Funston should
make application for appointment to the regular
army IL is presumed that he would not ask for
a rank lower than that which he now holds in
the volunteer service. Whether or not the Presi-
dent could his way clear to appoint the
kansan brigadiergene in the regular estab-
lishment is generally regarded as doubtful
Still, Funston's Kansas friends already are at
work in his interest, and urging the Presi-
dent TO appoint him a brigader- general in the
regular army. Officers in the regular establish
ment who have recently returned from service
In the Philippines with Funston speak of him
In the highest terms both as gentleman and
a soldier They declare that he is not the gal
lery player he has been represented 10 be by
some Of his overzeaous friends among the news
PAPER correspondents in the Philippines. and
that he is in of the term notoriety
seeker.
Representative Long. of Kansas. at the
War Department to-day. and discussed with Of
| hcials the question OF adequately rewarding
General Funston for the capture OF Aguinaldo
Mr.. Long saws that about six weeks ago the
Kansas delegation called on Secretary Root and
the President and recommended General Fun
ston for promotion. and asked that he have some
recognition for past services. 1T was said then
that there was place for General Funston
! except in one OF the staff departments, unless
! he was made a brigadier- general, and it was
/ said that he could not expect such promotion
1 as that The action OF the delegation was
purely voluntary, General Funston had made
no appiica ton to them. had he made any
| request at the War Department for recognition
Mr. LonE SAYS that the Kansas people are proud