Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-03
MACARTHUR NAY USE HIM.
opinion OF War Department officials
Realize importance Of swear-
Ing Allegiance.

lie, The portion withheld related to the
future disposition of Aguinaldo, and
made suggestions as 60 what the late
chief Of the instruction might accom-
plish. No official statement could be
obtained as 70 what finally would be
done with the prisoner, but Il was EN-
phatlcally stated that he would be held
FOR the present, but would be granted
all possible immunity consistent with
existing conditions Gen. Macarthur
has hopes that a great deal may be ac-
cOmplshed through AguinaldO Dur
ing the time he has been prisoner he
has made quite a favorable impression
upon Gen. Macarthur.
IL has been suggested that under the
terms OF the notice OF amnesty che
prisoner should be set al liberty at
once, but there Is a provision IN the
amnesty proclamation which says that
those who have violated the laws OF
war are excepted from It's terms.
Whether or not Gen. Macarthur has
been satisfied that AgulnaldO has not
violated the law cannot be stated, as
the prisoner would be permitted 70 take
the oath pending an vestlgatiOn Of
his past conduct. Aguinaldo having
been the head OF the instruction, UNI
doubtedly can be held until further in
vestigation Is made or until the cir
cumstances which surround the situa-
ton in the Philippines make It adyis-
able 90 release him outright, or other
wise dispose OF him
These conditions and the general sit
uation and AguinaldOs relation to
them were the subject Of Gen MacAr-
thurs dispatch and are being consid-
cred by the authorities here, who win
have the final disposition Of the matter.
The news Of Aguainold'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 itself is re-
garded as giving Aguinaldo a status Of
loyalty 10 the United states quite diff
ferent from those still IN arms. The
departments instruction for the gov
eminent Of armies In the field recltes
as follows;
1.-THE commander will throw the bur-
den OF war; as much as lies within his
power on the disloyal citizens Of the
revolted portion Of province and II he
deems il appropriate, or II his govern
ment demands OF him that every citI-
zen shall, by an oath Of allegiance de-
clare his fidelity of the legl Innate gov
eminent, he may eXpel transfer, inn
prison or fine the revolving citizens
who refuse 10 take the oath, etc.
Whether It Is eXpedient TO do so, and
whether reliance can be placed upon
such oath the commander or his gov
eminent has the right TO decide"
In the present case Gen Macarthur
has considered Il expedient TO have
Aguinaldo take his oath and apparent
~ has held that reliance can be placed
upon the OATH The army regulations
make no distinct provision that the
taking of the oath shall give complete
liberty to person, although the above
quoted provision shows that those man
Testing loyalty by subscribing to an
oath of allegiance are TO be spared from
the hardships Of war and that only
those remaining dlsloyal are to be WIS.,
tied with the harsh treatment OF war,
The war department authorities say
that offenses against the articles of
war excepted In the proclamation Of am
nesty refer to murders and like depre-
dations. only recently five Filipino Of
licers were executed for such offenses.
II 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, IL Is assumed
that the commanding general does not
hold Aguinaldo to be chargeable with
n violation of the articles of war. II Is
believed that Gen. Macarthur Will keep
the ex-leader under his eye and avail
himself OF the good offices OF Aguinaldo
I'm loyalizlng the remnant OF the insur-
gent forces.
"Agulnaldo's taking the oath OF ale
glance" said one member OF the Cabi-
net today, emphasizes the importance
Of his capture. IL makes more clear
that the insurrection has about reached
IFS end and foreshadows the early and
complete general acceptance Of United
states sovereignty and authority. Only
n comparatively small number OF Fit
plnos are still in arms, ana the effect
Of Aguinaldos action on them Is OBJ
vious From now on we will press or
panizing the best government we can
suited TO the needs Of the Philippines.
Aguinaldo's submission will have
considerable bearing In his favor In the
determination OF the matter of what 70
40 with him, which will not be decided
for some time
should the capture and submission OF
tho Filipino chieftaln mark the begin
Ming of the end In the Philippines, II
Is added. the effect upon the American
naval representation In Aslatic waters
VIII be n very considerable reduction OF
our naval force In the far east. There
are nj present ffty-seven OF our naval
vessels ON the Asiatlo station-a greater
number than ever before has been mo-
hiIized there and including some of
the finest battleships. cruisers and IRON
clads I'm the American navy. A good
many OF them viii be now sent home.
II is possible that the European sta
tlon with headquarters In the Medi-
terranean will be revived. and also that
the recreation Of the old South Pacific
station will follow. There has been a
marked shortage OF officers to I'LL i'm
nortant assignments In this country,
owing TO the drain that came from
China and the Philippines. so that the
homecoming Of so many Of the vessels
will be welcomed.
The Oregon and New York both
Of which have been In service for a
great while past. already are setting
sail for the United States, where they
will be completely overhauled and re-
paired. Other big vessels on the sta
lion are the Brooklyn. Admiral Re
news flagship the batteship Ken.
lucky, which. however. has arrived
Just recently on the station, and there
fore Ia not likely TO be one OF the yes
sells TO return. and the nrotected cruis.
ers New Orleans and Albany.
HIS LAST PROCLAMATION.
Washington. April 2.--Coples OF the
last proclamation Issued by Aeuinaldo
previous 20 his capture by Gen. Funston
have been received at the war DEPART
ment. The proclamation is dated Janu-
arv IL, 1901, Agulnnldo BEGINS with a
reference 20 the "unheard-of cruelties
and scornful vexations Of the most