The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-04-03

CO., 900 men in the Philippines until
stable governm 1nt had been establish
ed. The plan was to replace the vol
unteers, numbering about 20 900, with
regulars to an extent sufficient to keep
up all existing garrisons Throughout
the archipelago, but it has been found
to be impracticable TO do 80 under eX-
istlng conditions within the short time
Intervening before the lst of July next
when the entire volunteer army must
be disbanded. The failure of the plan
Is due to the lack of available officers
in this country TO organize the new
regiments authorized by Congress and
not so much to the difficulty of re-
cruiting the regiments
| THE LEADER OF THE INSURGENTS.
Aguinaldo, probably more than any
warrior of the latter day, has won ad-
miration from the public by running
from the enemy. Whether his conduct
has been attributed to cowardlce or the
part of vaior that is in evidence when
superior forces are in front has not
been definitely settled in the American
heart, but Aguinaldo has been admired
for his obstinacy, his refusal toi show
himself, and, it might be said, his good
fortune in keeping out of range.
The rebel chief is yet in the middle
of the thirties, said to be strong physi-
cally, though small of stature, possess
ing clever head and cool in times of
peril. The fact that he was betrayed
by member of his staff cause many
to believe that he was unpopular, rul-
ing with an iron hand, an object of
plots and schemes others, more char
liable, may say it was only a fortune
Of war and that he was the victim of
treachery in his own camp because his
followers knew better than he that
the end was at hand and resistance
was folly.
Sentimcnt-that popular force that
swells in every American hcart-doubt-
less is for Aguinaldo today. Few there
would be who would consent to capital
punishment. Some there are who re-
gard him as of little danger. 1t is said
his strength has been broken; his in.
tlucnce gone.
For the present, these speculations
as to the man and his fate will be of
interest, to say the least. OF his fam
lily, his life, his war doings, little Is
known. He first came into promi-
nence as lnsurgent chief.
THE MAN WHO MADE CAPTURE.
General Funston comes from fight
ing blood. His father was a soldier be-
fore him. Being disappointed at get
ting a cadetship in West Point, Fun
ston was educated at the Kansas State
University. He served on several
government expeditions in the West.
At the time of the Cuban insurrcction
he served with the natives.
The first time Funston attracted |
general public attention was in the |
Philippines as colonel of the Kansas |
Volunteer regiment. In April 1890, |
he was campaigning in North Luzon.
The FiliplnOs were in strong entrench. |
ments at Coumpit, which is situated !
on the north bank of the Rio Grapde |
In the face of stinglng fire, General |
Funston and his nervy Kansas regl-
ment swami the river, carrying with |
them large rope. This rope was tied |
to tree on the enemy's bank and was
used as kind Of ferry to drag over
boats loaded with soldiers. With these |
reinforcements General Funston made |
a fierce assault on the trenches of the |
enemy and routed them. The Filipl- |
nos, after retiring some distance, re-
formed and another battle cnsucd, in |
which they were again forced.
In 1900 General Funston got pos
session Of number of letters indcat-
ing Aguinaldo's treachery and intimat-
ing that he was receiving encourage |
ment from people in the United States |
who were unfriendly to the admin
stration. Atone time in his first expeli-
ton General Funston was close upon |
ASuinaldo, but the willy Filipino knew
the country better than the Americans |
and escaped in the mountains.