Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-03-27
FUNSTON HAS A PLAN.
Engages in Bold Scheme to Cap
ture Aguinaldo.
With a Band of Trusty Followers the
Famous kansan Enters the Heart
OF the Enemy's Country
Absent Two Weeks.

Manila, March 25.-Gen. Funston
is now engaged in a daring project
which promises to be the greatest
and most romantic achievement of
his eventful career. In January, from
his hiding place in the province of
Isabella, Aguinaldo wrote letters
matchmaking the subchiefs who
had taken the oath of allegiance to
the United States. Later, Aguinaldo
ordered insurgent forces in southern
Luzon to join him at a rendezvous in
Isabella province. The rebel officer
intrusted with these orders secretly
negotiated with the Americans. On
securing necessary information Gen.
Funston planned Aguinaldo's capture
and, with Gen. MacArthur's authori-
cation, Gen. Funston proceeded two
weeks ago to make the attempt.
Gen. Funston, with Surgeon Major
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, en-
parked on the gunboat Vicksburg
and were landed on d remote beach
above Baler.
Details of the Plot.
It was arranged that Aguinaldo's
emissary, with the native scouts,
should pass themselves off as insur-
gent troops who, having captured
Gen. Funston and others, were taking
them as prisoners to Aguinaldo.
At the right time, when brought be-
fore Aguinaldo, Gen. 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 Vizcaya and New
Ecija and the gunboats Vicksburg
and Albany were to cooperate with
Gen. Funston's force. The Vicksburg
is expected here.
Causes Serious Embarrassment.
New York, March 25.-A special to
the Herald from Washington says:
Serious embarrassment has been
caused the administration and the de-
, velopment of the Philippines has been
retarded by the legislation prohibit
ING the cutting of timber on the pub
lie lands of the archipelago. AS the
forests are on public lands the gov
eminent, under a strict Interpretation
of the law, would be unable to author
ize the telling of a tree to provide the
planks necessary for the construction
of a new house or the repairing of an
old one. If gunboat were to lose
spar and her commander desired to
replace it he could not take it from
the public lands without violating the
law. Not only is the sale or lease of
timber prohibited, but the sale or lease
or other disposition of public lands
and the granting Of mining rights are
made illegal.
The Intention of Congress.
This legislation was directly con-
trary to the wishes of the president
and Secretary Root, who are con-
vinced that in order to promptly de-
velop the islands the introduction of
American capital is necessary. Sec
retary Root does not believe that con-
gress intended to curtai the privileges
of the people of the islands, and it is
believed he will hold that the presi-
dent is authorized to grant forestry
concessions.
Capt G. P. Ahern, Ninth infantry,
who has had charge of the forestry
bureau of the Philippines, reports that
the public forest lands comprise from
one-fourth to one-half of the area of
the Philippines, or from 20,000,00o TO
100000 acres.
Date Is Extended,
Manila March 25-The municiDa1