The times., 1901-03-29
GircnIntinn Statement.
tguiualdo.

There is no question that the gallant
Funston has covered himself with re-
uown in the daring adventure which
has resulted in his capture of the rebel
chief Aeuinaldo. and the safe delivery
of his prize at Manila. Public opinion
will demand that he be adequately re-
warded, and il would not surprise US to
see him made bTigadier general in the
Regular Army. in spite Of the fact that
his achievement undoubtedly has placed
the Administration in a position OF great
embarrassment. But it would never do
10 let the masses of the people under
stand that. and so. we suppose, there
will be a perfunctory expression of Off
cial satisfaction. sugared with little
thankfulness to Providence, over some
thing which the powers that be really
wish had been left undone.
1t is ali right to have Aguinaldo- The
question is what to do with him To
Kill him would raise a howl in the
United States which might jeopardize
the prospects OF the Republican party
in the next Congress. To shut him up
in prison would simply make him a
kind Of composite of PrOmetheus and
Napoleon BOnaparte, and excite for the
treacherous and murderous little Tagal
an amount Of paretic and senile SYM
pathy that would make a prize martyr
Of him. and cause the Government end
less annoyance But, on the other
hand. it would never do TO turn him
loose, now that he is in our clutches.
That would raise commotion equally
as undesira BILE.
We are afraid that General Funston
was unable to rise 10 the plane Of h.s
opportunity If he had been a really
good and well trained Administration
man. it should have been plain to him
that. while he would earn the thanks Of
his country and the plaudits OF posterity
by arresting and producing the head of
the rebellion at headquarters. the deliv-
cry ought to be made in box. That
this did not happen was an oversight
which even the most pious Administra-
tion that, Heretofore ever brought
blessings upon nation unquestionably
regrets and resents.
Are we to have lonely exile of ST.
Helena in our midst, 10 be wept over
by Mr.. Hoar and TO be made the
means OF advertising Edward Atkin-
sons oil stove? II looks very much like
il. Still, there is always the chance that
Aguinaldo may save his neck and lib
crty at the same time by means Of
miraculous conversion into a person
more of royalist than the king-more
American and loyal than anybody, him
self included. Such things have hap
pened before, and the game usually has
been successful since the advent Of Nc
Kinley and prosperity. He might give
verbal assurances" which always pass
current at their face value in the neigh
borhood Of Executive Avenue, and SO
perhaps find himself at the head of
commission for the pacification Of the
Philippines instead Of lingering out a
miserable existence chained TO the wall
of some Jail cellar Aguinaldo's prom
ises woulc be quite as good as those the
Administration has accepted with child
ish faith from the Chinese: in addition
10 which there is the customary joy ac-
companying the spectacle Of "one sinner
that repenteth."
Perturbed as he may be by this agi-
tating Philippine development, we have
no doubt that Mr.. Mckinley viii feel
convinced that it viii all come right in
the course of time, and that the best
thing TO do with Aguinaldo is to find
him a remunerative office. There is
nothing harsh OF cruel in the nature of
our President. Some Of his advisers,
perhaps, are less full of the milk Of
human kindness. and it might strike
them. or one Of them, that it would be
brilliant idea to let the Filipino Wash
inFton attempt to escape, and have an
unavoidable accident happen to him in
the course OF the effort.