The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-02

LA11k Il "OAka PlONS
troublesome. Secretary Root said he
remembered the capture OF Jefferson
Davis; also the arrest of William NJ.
fTweed, both of which embarrassed the
authorities. The secretary desired fur
ther advices from General Macarthur
before discussing the matter in great.
ldetail- He would say little or moth
ing about the disposition of AguinaIdoI
further than that he probably would be
treated the same az other high officers
lof the insurgents who have been taken
by the Americans in the prosecution OF
the war.
WHETHER CIVIL OR MILITARY
OFFENCE.
The war department has not had
time to consider the exact status of
IAguinaldo, whether he is to be tried.
and what punishment, il any, Is to be
meted out to him; but there are certain
general principles which are said to
be clearly established, n the first
question asked is as to whether Agui-
lnaldo is to be tried as a military OF a.
a civil offender. If he is to be regard
led as having committee reasonable
acts. or tormented an Instruction
against the United States overnment
then the trial would be of a civil char
lacter, for these are political ~offenses
against the authority of the United
Estates government, and are not offensesI
lunder the articles Of war to be tried by
la military court-martial or commission.
1t is hardly expected that the rigorous
procedure for treason would be adapt
ed. If it should be, Section 1892 of the
Revised Statutes provides that every
person guilty of treason shall suffer
death, or, at the discretion of the court,
shall be imprisoned at hard for
not less h a five years and fined not
less than 10000"
10Th section provides for incit-
s-- cho- 90 $3.50 ->o-@
and specifies the punishment as fol
lows:
Every person who incites, sets on
foot, assists, or engages in any rebell-
on or Instruction against the autho'
lity of the United States shall be pun
ished by Imprisonment not more than
ten years or by a fine of not more than
$40. 900. or by BOTH"
The foregoing however, are political
loffenses against the authority of the
limited States. 1t is presumed that
IAguinaldo will be held for the present
lat least as a military prisoner. If
tried as such, it would be because he
had offended against such articles Of
war. Already there have been several
trials of Filipino officers for offenses
against military usage such as brutal
lily, out a military ribun will not
take up The larger political offense
lagainst the authority of the United
Estates.
AGUNALDO'S PRISON.
Malacanan, where Aguinaldo is con-
fined, was the former summer residence
Iof the Spanish governors-general in
the Philippines. 1t is about three quar-
tiers of a mile from the walled city of
Manila, and has been made the summer
residence of General Otis and General
Macarthur. 1t is on the Pasig river
labout a mile from the headquarters
in Manila. There is a company of in
lfantry stationed there which is known
las the headquarters guard.
HOW TO REWARD FUNSTON.
Next to the capture of Aguinaldo
himself. the chief interest of the day
lcentered in the reward which the gov
lernment would give to General Funston
flor the brilliant and successful con
summation of his project. He stands
to-day OF the records of the war de-
lpartment as second on the list of briga-
ldier generals of volunteers, being pre-
lceded by Brigadier General James +.
ISmith, of California. There have been
several pending vacancies of a high
lgrade in the regular service, and more
Tor less speculation as to whether Fun
lston would receive one of the appoint
lments. One of the vacancies is in the
high ank of major general, but there
has been no idea that the young Kan
Isan would be rendered such an exalt-
ed rank. Next in order there has been
one vacancy in the grade of brigade:
general of the regular service. with a
second a likely to occur on tbs
retirement of one of the present brigd-
Idiers. This. in effect, makes two va.
l~cancies in the regular grade of briga-
ldier. 1t is possible that a way may be
lopened for General Funston's appoint
Iment as a b~rigadier general of the reg
ular service. There Is no doubt tina
suitable recognition will be given to hi:
achievement.
The army officers who are ~acqua1nt'
ed by personal experience with thu
ltreacherous side Of the Filipino char
lacter declare that Funston u~ndoubted
lIy took his life in his hands when. will
his little support of four white me-
land a small body of natives of unknown
loyalty. he ventured into the lair o
the insurgent leader. Past experience
has shown the great danger Of trust
ling the natives too for, and fortunate 1
Twas for Funston that his confidence il
his scouts las not misplaced.
HOW THE CAPTURE WAS MADE.
Manila, March 2S.-General Fred
Funston, who March 23rd, captured
Emilio Aguinaldo, when interviewed to
day by the representative of the Asso
Iciated Press. made the following state
ment concerning the capture Of tn
Filipino leader:
The confidential agent of Aguinald,
larrived February 2Sth at Pantabangan
in the province Of Nueva Ecija, north
ern Luzon, with letters dated Januar.
l11th, 18th and 14th. These letters wer
from Emilio Aguinaldo n directe,
lBaldermero Aguinaldo to take comman
of the province of Central LuZoras sup
planting General A~lejandrino. Emili
lAguinaldo also ordered that 400 me-
Inc cant him &C QOnn QC n0SSihlQ ga vim
that the bearer of the letters woul
guide these men to where Aguinald
WAS.
General Funston secured the CORE
: lspondence of A~guinaldo's agent an
laid his plans accordingly. Som
| months previously he had captured tn
lcamp of the insurgent, General Lacuna
incidentally obtaining Lacuna's sea
:, l~official papers and a quantity OF signe
correspondence. From this mater1a
two letters were constructed, ostensibl
from Lacuna to Aguinaldo.