New-York tribune., 1901-01-04
AGUINALDO DEAD, HE SAYS
PROFESSOR WHEELER RECEIVES WHAT
HE THINKS TRUSTWORTHY NEWS.
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITIES PRESIDENT
GETS INFORMATION THROUGH FILIPINO
CHILDREN IN HIS CHARGE.

Benjamin Ide Wheeler. president of the Uni
versity of California who is staying at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, has received information
from secret sources in the Philippines TO the ef-
feet that Aguinaldo is dead. and that his death
! occurred no less than six weeks ago The news
has been kept secret by Aguinaldo's followers,
it is said. fo- the purpose of prolonging the re-
bellion since it was believed that the of
the chiefs death would cause such discourage
ment and alarm that utter captulation would
result.
President Wheeler obtained this news. he
told a Tribune reporter Yesterday. through sew
eral Filipino children. who have been placed in
his care by their parents. Two the sons of
Buencamino wealthy citizen of Manila, who,
before the advent of the Americans in the Philip
pines, had been an active leader of rebellion
against the Spanish. President Wheeler also
has in his charge the children of Midel. the Gov
ernor of Mindanao. and several other boys.
whose parents are of the wealthy class.
REPORT CONSIDERED TRUSTWORTHY.
In speaking of the reported death of the chief
insurrectionist. President Wheeler said:
These boys of mine. as l may call them re-
ceive frequent communications from their
parents and friends at home. The informa-
tion which was obtained concerning the death
or Aguinaldo. l understand, came from secret
and trustworthy sources. and is probably true.
The father of two of these boys is Buencamino.
d wealthy CltlZen or Manila, VINO DefOre the
Americans came was most active in the re-
beOn against Spain. / understand he was a
close friend of Aguinado. and has kept in touch
with that remarkable parsonage even after
Buencamino himself took a neutral stand. Buen-
caminO, however. did not take firm stand on
the side of America until after the election Of
Mckinley. when. along with many other Fill
pinos, he believed that further opposition TO the
United States Government would be futile,
These Filipino lads" continued President
Wheeler. "are bright fellows and most quick TO
learn. However. cannot say that they have
the staunchness and solidity of American youth
Before the flag cf this country was raised in
the islands such boys these would have been
sent 70 the schools Of Spain for their graduate
studies. Now they come TO us. They have al
ready received some instruction at the hands
of the Jesuits at home. In order to fit them
for the university II necessary to place
them in preparatory schools Other families
are also making arrangements by which their
children will come 10 our shores and benefit by
our institutions. Those who cannot come are
to have American thought ana education car
ried 10 them Almost every steamer which
leaves San Francisco for Manila carries parties
Of teachers who are going TO posts in Philippine
schools.
COMMERCIAL BONDS GROW STRONGER
The commercial bonds between the Pacific
Coast and our Oriental possessions are growing
stronger and greater with every month. The
people of San Francisco have begun to think Of
Manila as about as near to them as Chicago
OuI tAdHspdCIuC tIdiie, WlllcH u dsSuIllhs WIN
aersul proportions Is only an earnest Of the
great commerce that will come TO us in after
years"
President Wheeler said that the purpose OF his
visit to this city at this time was 70 choose an
architect for the School OF Mines of the
university. He said that the plans for the new
university buildings which TO be erected. at a
cost of from $1,000 600 to SlOOO0OOO through
the generosity of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, have now
teen revised and that great economy has been
assured by the change. The presidents house
Is already being built. and the School of Mines
is 10 be built soon architect is chosen TO
perfect the detailed plans.