The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-04-04
MACARTHUR"

Oh CnieI Jusllce AfelanO. AS result
to-dey he subscribed and swore to the
declaration en- page IL of my annual re-
MACARTHUR"
The oath referred to is as follows:
81, -, hereby renounce all allegiance to
any and all so-called revolutionary govern
ments in the Philippine islands and recog-
nize and accept the supreme authority of
the United States of America therein;
GO solemny swear that / will bear true
faith and allegiance to that government;
that / will at all times conduct myself as
faithful and law-abiding citizen of the
said Islands, and Will not, either directly
or indirectly, hold correspondence with or
give intelligence to an enemy of the United
States, nor will abet, harbor or protect
such enemy: that 1 impose upon mSssi
these voluntary obligations without any
mental reservations or purpose of evasion,
so help me God"
Is still Prisoner.
Notwithstanding the taking of the
oath by Aguinaldo he is still held
prisoner by Gen. Macarthur. 1t is
possible he may be granted more lib
erty of action, but he will not be af-
forded complete freedom for the pres
ent. The action of Aguinaldo in talk
ing the oath, it is believeda at the war
department, will have far-reaching
effect in the pacification of the islands.
Information withheld.
The dispatch conveying the informa-'
ton contained much more than was
given to the public. The portion with
held related to the future disposition
of Aguinaldo and made suggestions as
to what the late chief of the irsurrec-
ton 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 inn
munity consistent with existing condi-
lions. Gen. Macarthur has hopes that
q great deal may be accomplished
through Aguinaldo. During the time
he has been prisoner he has made
quite favorable impression upon Gen.
Macarthur.
1t has been suggested that under the
terms of the notice of amnesty the
prisoner should be set at liberty at
once, but there is provision in the
amnesty proclamation which says that
those who have violated the laws of
war are excepted from its terms.
Whether or not Gen. Macarthur has
satisfied himself that Aguinaldo has
not violated the law cannot be stated,
as the prisoner would be permitted to
take the oath pending an investigation
of his past conduct. Aguinaldo, having
been the head of the instruction, un-
doubetdly can be held until further
investigation is made, or until the cir
cumstances which surround the stu
alton in the Philippines make it adj
visable to release hiA outright or 9TH
erwise dispose of him. These condi-
lions and the general situation and
Aguinaldo's relation to them were the
subject of Gen. MacArthur's dispatch,
and are being considered by the az
thorities here, who will have the final
disposition of the matter.
News Gives Satisfaction.
The news of Aguinaldo's action was
received with evident satisfaction by
the war department. and the opinion
was expressed that good results would
follow among those who have been
still holding out against the United
States. The taking of the oath in it.
self is regarded as giving Aguinaldo
status of loyalty to the United States
quite different from those still in
arms. The departments instructions
for the government of armies in the
field recites as follows:
1.-THE commander will throw the burden
of war, as much as lies within his power,
on the disloyal citizens of the Tevolted
portion or province, and if he deems 1t APP
propriate, or if his government demands
Of him that every citizen shall by an oath
of allegiance, declare his fidelity to the le-
climate government, he may expel, trans
fer, imprison, or fine the revolving citizens
who refuse to take the oath, etc. Whether
1t is eXpedient to do so, and whether re-
lance can be placed upon such OATH the
commander or his government has the
right to decide"
In the present case Gen. Macarthur
has considered it eXpedient TO have
Aguinaldo take this oath, and appar-
emily has held that reliance can be
placed upon the oath. The army reg
ulations make no distinct provision
that the taking of the oath shall give
complete liberty to person, although
the above-quoted provision shows that
those manifesting loyalty by subscrib-
ing to an oath of allegiance are to be
spared from the hardships of war, and
that only those remaining disloyal are
to be visited with the harsh treatment
of war.
The war department authorities say
that offenses against the articles of
war, excepted in the proclamation of
amnesty, refer to murders and like
depredations. Only recently five Fill
Pine officers were executed for such Of
lenses. 1t is not known here whether
Aguinaldo was responsible in any case
for such offenses, though from the fact
that Gen. Macarthur allowed him to
take the oath of allegiance it is as
sumed that the commanding general
does not hold Aguinaldo to be charge
able with a violation of the articles of
war. 1t is believed Gen. Macarthur will
xeep the ex-leader under his eye and
avail himself of the good offices of
Aguinaldo in loyalizingt the remnant of
the insurgent forces.
Regards IL Important.
Boston, April 3.-Sixto Lopez was in
formed that Aguinaldo had taken the
oath of allegiance to the United States.
Senior Lopez asked for particulars. Up
IN being informed that only the bare
fact had been cabled over, he said: 81
think there must be some conditions
attached to it, The announcement