The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-28
CAUGHT AGUlNALDO
FUNSTON SUCCESSFUL IN HIS OAR.
ING PRoJECT.
PRISONER IS AT MANILA.
INSURGENT LEADER WAS TAKEN
IN isabella PROVINCE.

AguinaIdo Was Captured on March
23-Was Taken to Manila on the
Gunboat Vicksburg-Question Now
Is as to What Will BE Done With
Hlm-He May he Tried and Exc
cuted ms the Leader of an Insur-
rection-President VIII Know of
the Capture This Morning.
Manila, March 2s.-Gen Frederick Fun
ston's daring project for the capture of
Aguinaldo In his hiding place in the prov
ince of Isabella, Island OF Luzon. has
proved completely successful.
Agutnaldo was captured there March %.
The United States gunboat Vicksburg,
Commander f. b. Barry, with Gen.
Funston and Aguinaldo on board, arrived
here this morning.
Hadn't Reached President.
Washington, March H.-Oficlal news OF
the capture of Aguinaldo had not reach
ed the War Department up to a late hour
tonight. The President had retired be-
fore the Associated Press bulletin arriv-
ed, and will hear the news for the first
time in the morning.
The disposition of Aguinaldo. now that
he has been apprehended will be inter-
est!ng for the administration to deter
mine. The possibility of his capture at
any time always had been kept in view
and that of his future has been a matter
Of informal discussion by the officials
here. 1t is not believed, however, that nny
definite line of action was ever deter
mined upon in regard to the matter. The
attitude of the government for a long
time past has been one of comparative
Indifference to Aguinaldo's capture. it
having been determined to crush the re-
bellion without regard to his where
abouts. His recent 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 government, Aguinaldo
may be tried and executed, a less pun
ishment meted to him by executive Glenn
ency or complete amnesty extended. While
the question of punishment rests with
the military authorities, it is believed the
President will make the matter one for
determination primarily by the authori-
ties here.
The province of Isabella, whore the
capture of Aguinaldo occurred, is on the
Island of Luzon, about 200 miles north
east of Manila. and about 70 miles north
Of Baler. on the eastern coast, which
place was made memorable by the cap
ture Of Lieut.. Gilmore and his party from
the gunboat Yorktown in April, 1899. Isa-
bella province is wild and mountainous,
especially along the coast, where the high
range known as the Grand Cordellinas
more from north to south, the highest
point of the range being but few miles
from the shore.
Rugged trails. in some places but foot
or two in width, laid across the noun
tains, frequently crossed by rushing
streams, and where these overflow their
banks, the trails are waist-deep in mud.
1t was in this uninviting district that
Gen. Funston and his small band went a
short time ago. 1t was a part OF the isl
and that had never been visited py Amer
ican troops.
To deceive the enemy 1t was arranged
that Aguinaldos representative, who had
given the information to the Americans,
should lead the native scouts, who would
assume the character of insurgents still
IovaI 10 tho rrbaI oauSa
They were to make it appear that they
had captured Gen. Funston and other
American officers OF high rank and were
bringing them into the camp o. the IN
surgent chief to be delivered rs prisoners
of war.
Gen. Funston's plans as outlined in a
dispatch from Manila to the Associated
Press few days ago, were to make the
trip over the Isabella mountains to Aguin-
aldo's hiding place. accompanied by Sur
geon Harris, Capt. Newton of the Thirty
fourth Infantry. Lieut.. Admire OF the
Twenty-second Infantry, Lieut. Mitchell
of the Fortieth Infantry, six veteran
scouts and a company of native scouts,
all picked men. They were to be landed
by the gunboat Vlcksburg on a remote
beach north OF Baler and were to pro-
ceed overland, guided by a former officer
of Aguinaldo. who had betrayed to Fun
ston the Filipino leaders, abode.
The pretended prisoners we're then to
throw aside their disguise and seize Agui-
naldo. and beat down any opposition. To
carry out the programme required a long
march into the interior and never-ceasing
caution to guard against treachery.
Otis Is Glad 90 Hear IL.
Chicago. March 2S.-Gen. Elwell s. Otis
was awakened this morning with the
news that Aguinaldo had been captured
by Gen. Funston.
Il am very glad to hear IT," said Gen.
Otis.
He added. however. that he made II a
rule never to be interviewed after he had
once retired for the night. and he smil-
ingly declined TO say anything further.
Mr.. Bryan PostpOnes Comment.
Lincoln, Neb. March 28.-W. j. Bryan
was this morning informed OF the cape
ture OF Agulnaldo. and asked for an ex-