Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-04-04
AGUINALDO CAPTURED.
General Funston's Daring Plan Was
Successful.


lex Funston's daring project for the
capture of Aguinaluo in his hiding
place in the province of Isabella,
Island of Luzon, has proved COM
pletely successful. Aguinaldo was
captured there on March 90.
The United States gunboat Vicks-
burg, z. Il. Barry commander, with
General Funston and Aguinaldo on
board, arrived here this morning.
Sometime during the month ofJanuary
frem his hiding place in the province
of Isabella, Aguinaldo wrote letters
matchmaking the sub chiefs who
had taken the oath of allegiance to
the United States. Later Aguinaldo
ordered insurgent forces in southern
Luzon to join him at rendezvous
in Isabella province. The rebel Off
Ger intrusted with these orders Sc
cretly negotiated with the Ameri-
cans. On securing necessary infor-
nation, General Funston planned
Aguinaldo's capture, and, with Gen.
eral MacArthur's authorization, pro-
ceeded two weeks ago to make the
attempt. General Funston, with Sur
Stoh MAUI iidlls NdPliih 4NV"toh
of the Thirty-fourth infantry, Lieu
tenant Admire of the Twenty-second
infantry, Lieutenant Mitchell of the
Fortieth infantry, six veteran scouts
and company of native scouts, all
picked men, embarked on the gum
boat Vicksburg and were landed Oh
a remote beach ABOVE Baler. 1t was
arranged that Aguinaldo's emissary,
L., Oh
themselves off as insurgent troops
who, having captured General Fun
ston and others, were taking them
as prisoners to Aguinaldo. At the
right time, when brought before
Aguinaldo, General Funston was to
give signal, when the tables were
to be turned and Aguinaldo was to
be seized. Six days march into the
interior were contemplated. Treach-
cry was considered possible, but
every precaution was taken. The
troops in New Viscaya and New
Ecija and the guuboats Vicksburg
and Albany were to cooperate with
General Funston's force.
General Funston's plans were car
ried out almost to the letter. Aguin-
aldo's hiding place was found, and
Funston and the other Americans
were conducted into Aguinaldo's
camp. The signal was given and the
Filipino leader and his immediate
retainers were captured and escorted
back to the ships. Troops from the
ships and from the nearest garrisons
had advanced as closely as possible
10 Funston's destination, and met
the party on their return with Aguin-
aldo in order to prevent a rescue.
The dangers of the expedition can
hardly be overestimated. General
Funston and his companions trusted
their lives to the Filipino scouts iL
the American service. Had even one
of them proved disloyal and sent
word to Aguinaldo in advance, the
entire American party might have
been ambushed and captured.
There was some fighting after
Aguinaido's capture. and before the
Vicksburg was reached on the return
trip, but the details have not been
given out.
The province of Isabella, where the
capture of Aguinaldo occurred, is
on the Island of Iuzon, about 200
miles northeast of Manila, and about
seventy-fve north of Baler, on the
eastern coast. which place was made
memorable by the capture of Lieu
tenant Gilmore and his party from
the gunboat Yorktown in April, 1899.
Isabella province is wild and noun
famous, especially along the coast,
where the high range known as the
Grand Cordellinas Orient, extends for
100 miles or more, the highest point
of the range being but few miles
from the shore. Rugged trails, in
some places but foot or two in
width, lead across the mountain
streams, and where these overflow
their bank-trails are waist-deep in
mud. 1t was to this uninviting dis
tr:ct that General Funston and his
small band were sent q short time
ago. 1t was n part of the island
that had never before been visited
oy American troops.
Washington, March 2S.--The cap
ture of Aguinaldo will be source of
great satisfaction to the president
and to his advisers. Coming so soon
after the surrender reported by
General Macarthur of prominent Fill,
lpino officers aid the successful es-
adjustment of civil government by
the Taft commission, they feel that
the end of the rebellious warfare
in the islands is near at hand. With,
the expected collapse of further OPP
position which it is confidently be-
lieved will follow, the hope is eX-
pressed that it will not be necessary
to maintain a large standing army
IN the islands as is now contemplated.
The disposition OF Aguinaldo, now
that he has been apprehended, will
be an interesting one for the admin
istration to determine. The posi-
oility of his capture at any time has
always been Kept in view, and his
future has been matter of infor-
NAL discussion by the officials. 1t is
not believed, however, that any
mite line of action was ever deter
mined upon in regard to the matter.
The attitude of the government for
long time past, had been one of
comparative Indifference to Aguinal-
dos capture, it having been deter
mined to crush the rebellion without
regard to his whereabouts. His res
cent activity in directing the course
of operations against the American
forces probably brought about the
recent change in this attitude.
AS the leader of an insurrection
against the United States govern
ment, Aguinaldo may be tried and
executed, lesser punishment neted
to him by executive clemency. or
complete amnesty extended. While
the question of punishment rests
with military authorities, it is believ-
ed the president will make the mat
ter one for determination primarily
by the authorities here.