Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-04-02
AGUINALDo.

The question as to what this govern
ment shall do with Aguinaldo is being
discussed in many of the newspapers as
a very serious problem. Yet the matter
ought not to present many difficulties.
The insurrection--even the guerrilla stage
of it's practically at an end, and SO
long as Aguinaldo is retained in custody.
il will probably make little difference
whether he is confined at Manila or some
other point.
In 1865 this government held as
prisoner of war Jefferson Davis, the
president of the confederacy. yet the fact
did not occasion any especial embarrass-
ment. The government is not likely to
show the least vindictiveness toward the
Filipino chief. who seems to be recon-
ciled to the situation. At the same time
the government is not likely to place too
much confidence in any professions
Aguinaldo may make. because his record
is not thing to be forgotten.
DR.. Seaman A. Knapp, former presi-
dent of the Iowa Agricultural College,
after personal study of the situation
in the Philippines made some time ago,
gives the following estimate of Aguin-
aldo:
AguinaldO and his voluntary following
represented at the commencement of hos
tilities less than one-tenth of the terri
tory of the Philippine Islands, and never
had even nominal control over more than
two-sevenths. The people Of the other
to him and his ambitious schemes. Over
ninety per cent of the property interests
in the one-tenth of territory within the
provinces of his Tagalog supporters were
opposed to him and his plan Of govern
ment. They had no faith in his sincerity
Aguinaldo was a fugitive in Asia. and
before he was allowed to return and or
ganize a following he signed written
agreement with the officials of the United
States government that he would be
obedient to the authorities of the United
States in the Philippines and in case the
United States elected to hold the Philip
pines, that he would do all in his power
to bring the natives into harmony with
this plan. The high toned declarations
for free government by AguinaldO have
been mainly formulated to influence
American public opinion. In reality his
government has been extremely despotic
and tyrannical. From the first there has
been no effort or apparent desire upon
| the part of Aguinaldo to make amicabla
| adjustment with the United States. Had
| the insurgents sought peaceful solu-
| ton of the differences, the United States
could not have turned over the control Of
the islands to such an irresponsible gov
eminent without mourning a liability for
heavy damages to foreign owners of
property. All the froth of turbulent
rhetoric about violating the principles of
Washington and Jefferson arises from
the false assumption that the insurgent
government under Aguinaldo represents
the people of all the Philippines. Once
concede the fact that it was the purpose
of Aguinaldo and his adherents to use
| the arms provided by the United States
to force Tagalog domination upon the
! people of North Luzon and upon the
| tribes which inhabit the other islands
| and the veil is lifted from the romance
| of Philippine life.
| With all that, however. Aguinaldo Is
| not lacking in shrewdness and the report
that he to-day took the oath Of allegi.
ance is not surprising. Now if the Ameri
can insurgents, who have been fightine
| the government in their own country
from ambush. will follow Aguinaldo's ex
ample they will demonstrate that they
are at least as good as he is.