Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-04-03
What Is To Become of
Aguinaldo a Subject of
Much Discussion.
WILL 1T END THE WAR?
If Filipinos Cease Fighting
Navy Will Be
Reduced.

Washington, April S.-The advices
from the Philippines are still sileat as
far as the public is concerned with
reference to the disposition of Aguin-
aldo. Now that Aguinaldo has taken
the oath Of allegiance to the United
States, Gen. Macarthur hopes that q
great deal may be accomplished
through his sinfluence. During the time
he has been a prisoner he has made
quite a favorable impression upon
General Macarthur. 1t has been sug-
geSted 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 prOcla-
mation which says that those who
have violated the laws of war are eX-
Cepted from its terms. Whether or
rot General Macarthur has satisfied
himself that AguinaldO has not viO-
lated 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 insuTrection. un-
doubtedly can be held until further
investigation is made, or until the
circumstances which surround the
situation in the Philippines make it
advisable to release him outright or
otherwise dispose of him. These con-
ditionS and the general situation and
Aguinaldo's relation to them were the
subject of General McArthur's dis
patch and are being considered by
the authorities here who will have the
final disposition of the matter
The departments instructions for
the government of armies in the field
recites as follows: THE commander
will throw the burden of war. as much
as lies within his power, on the dis
loyal citizens of the revOlted portion
or province. and if he deems it appro-
pirate. or If his government demands
of him that every citizen shall, by ain
oath of allegiance. declare his fidelity
10 the legitimate government, he may
eXpel. transfer. imprisOn, or fine the
revolving citizens who refuse to take
the oath. Whether it is eXpedient to do
so, and whether reliance can be placed
upon such oath. the commander or his
government has the right TO decide
Relieves "A RuinaIdo Will Abide bv Oath.
In the present case, General Mac
Arthur has considered it expedient to
have Aguinaldo take this oath. and ap-
parently has held that reliance can DC
placed upon the oath. The army
regulations make no distinct provision
that the taking of the oath shall give
complete liberty to Il 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 treat
ment of war.
Has Not Violated Rules 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
pinO officers were executed for such
Offenses. 1t is not known here
whether Aguinaldo was responsible
in any case for such offenses. though
from the fact that General Mac
Arthur allowed him to take the oath
of allegiance. it is assumed that the
commanding general does not hold
Aguinaldo to be chargeable with
violation of the articles of war. 1t is
believed General Macarthur will keep
the eX-leader under his eye and avail
himself of the good offices of Aguin-
aldo in loyalizing the remnant of the
iUSurCent forces