Evening journal., 1901-03-30
Captive Rebel Chief Probably
Will be EXiIed
TELLS WHY he SURRENDERED
Insurgents Are DiShearteECd and
There Is Marked Increase in Num-
Der Of SurrenderS

Washington, March 30.-The cabinet
meeting yesterday was devoted entire
~ to q discussion of the capture of
Aguinaldo. its effect upon the military
situation in the Philippines, the dispO-
sition TO be made or the insurgent
chief and the reward to be given to
Gen. Funston. The subject was consid-
cred in all its phases, but no definite
conclusions were reached either with
regard to Gen. Funston's reward or to
The punishment of Aguinaldo.
The view. of the majority of the cab
met was that the time is not yet ripe
TO decide what course should be pur-
sued I'm the disposition of Aguinaldo.
It is felt that some little time should
elapse to permit an opportunity TO de-
liberate carefully over what source
would prove the wisest, whether he
can be OF any service to the United
States government by remaining at
Manila and exerting his influence in
the direction Of peace, whether it
would be dangerous to permit him to
remain so close to the field of insurrec-
tionary activity, or whether even it
would be best to send him among the
other insurgent prisoners on the island
OF Guam. There is no disposition to
deal otherwise than leniently with him,
but there are various questions that
will have to be considered in the case.
as for instance whether he personally
instigated assassination of Americans
and similar offenses. which some OF the
members OF the cabinet feel should call
for some penalty.
II cannot be TOO ennhatically stated
uAr mi let m rr-f11 rrfr
ing the captured leader any basis for
posing as a martyr The matter Of
transporting him to Guam will receive
serious consideration. One senator
who called at the White House suggest
ed to the president the advisability Of
transporting AguinaldO to some place
like Tutuila. in the Samoan group
where, Il was pointed out. he could be
kept at a distance from the scene OF
his old operations. and where he would
be in climate Of which he could make
no complaint The trend of views as
expressed by the cabinet indicated that
ultimate transportation to some place
of confinement outside of the Philip
pines was the course most likely to be
adopted
The president and ali members Of
the cabinet are in favor of the most
liberal and substantial recognition of
the service performed by Gen. Fun
stOn. There was some discussion Of
the question of making him a brigadier
general in the regular army, but it was
thought full reports should be awaited
before action was taken. The matter
probably will be allowed to rest where
It Is for the present. Gen. Funston is
holding a volunteer commission as
brigadier general which VIII not ex-
pire until June 30 o, this year. so that
so far as the honor and emoluments
are concerned his standing would not
be prejudiced by the delay.
In view Of Gen. MacArthur's specific
recommendation. indorsed by Gen.
Wheaton, that Gen. Funston be ap-
pointed a brigadier general in the reg
ulsr army, there seems to be no doubt
in well informed quarters that the
president will meet promptly the pop
ular demand in this matter and ap-
point the Kansan to one of the exist
ing vacancies in the list of brigadier
generals.
The only objection made to such ac-
tion is that it would shut out all Of
fcers Of the army below the grade Of
brigadier general from possible ap-
pointment to the head of the army.
It is stated that that condition of af-
fairs would be due to the possibility
that Gen. Funston might have COM
mand of the army until after all his
present military associates had retired
for age. Although such a contingency
Is possible it is extremely improbable.
If appointed he would be the youngest
general officer in the army, and If pro-
motions were made by seniority even
tually would become the lieutenant
general and hold that Office for many
years.
But under the law, the president Sc
lects all the general officers. and is not
even confined to the army in making
them Although q brigadier general
naturally would be selected for promo.
tion to a vacancy in the list of major
generals the president, il he chose
might appoint civilian or an officer oi
the army. regardless Of his rank. The
presidents wide discretion in such an.
pointnents was illustrated recently in
the cases Of Gems. Chaffee, Wood anC
Bell. all of whom were jumped ovei
many Of their seniors in the army
There was nothing obligatory in tn,
appointment of Gen. Miles 10 the com
nand of the army If the president hat
so preferred he might have placed Gen
Otis, Brooke or any other officer il
command.
Senator Burton and Representative
Long and Curtis, of Kansas. saw thu
president after o'clock. when thl
rush OF work had ceased The presi
dent listened attentiVcly to what thl