New-York tribune., 1901-04-03
AGUINALDO TAKES OATH
SWEARS ALLEGIANCE TO THE
UNITED STATES.
NOT TO BE RELEASED AT PRESENT,
HOWEVER-GRATIFY1 NEWS Io
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS.

washington. April 2.-The War Department
to-day received information from General Mac
Arthur that Aguinaldo had taken the oath OF
allegiance TO the United States under the terms
,f amnesty offered by direction Of the President
General MacArthurs dispatch reads as follows:
Adiutant-General Washington.
Since arrival at Manila Aguinaldo has been
st Malacanan investigating conditions in archi-
pelago. He has relied almost entirely upon the
instructive advice Of Chief Justice Arellano.
As a result to-day he subscribed and swore 10
the declaration page IL Of my annual report
MACARTHUR.
The oath referred to is as follows:
7 hereby renounce all allegiance 10 any and all
so-called revolutionary governments IN the
Philippine Islands. and recognize ana accept the
supreme authority of the United States Of Amer
ica therein: do solemnly swear that VIII bear
rrue faith and allegiance to that government;
,ba+ 7 win al all times conduct myself
faithful and law abiding citizen Of the said
islands and Will not. either directly or lndlrect-
u hold correspondence with or give Intelligence
~ an enemy Of the United states. nor will l
abet harhor protect such enemy; that I'M
,,oee Inon myself these voluntary obligations
ritbout any mental reservations or purpose Of
evasion. SO help me God.
The djspatch contained much more informa-
+ion than was given 10 the public. The portion
withheld related 10 the disposition Of Agunaldo'
and made suggestions as 10 what he might ac-
con9plish. No Official statement could he OBJ
,afned as to what would finally be done with the
,-isorer hut II was emphatically said that he
would he held for the present, but would have
all possible immunity consistent with existing
conditions General Macarthur hopes that a
great deal may be accomplished through Agul-
naldo While he has been a prisoner ne mas
made favorable impression.
The news Of Agunaldo's action was received
with satisfaction at the War Department. and
the opinion was expressed that good results
7rould follow among those who have been hold
ing out against the United States.
"Aguinaldos taking the oath Of allegiance
said a member Of the Cabinet to-day, EN-
phasizes the Importance Of his capture. II
makes more clear that the insuTrection has
about reached its end. and foroshadows the
early complete general acceptance OF United
States sovereignty and authority. only COM
pa-atively small number Of Filipinos are still IN
arms and the effect Of Aguinaldos action on
them is obvious. From now on We viii press
forward organizing the best government we
can suited 10 the needs If the Phlhpplnes-
Aguinaldo's submission will have considerable
bearing in his favor in the determination of the
matter Of what to 90 with him. That will not
Re decided for some time and General MacAr-
thur and the Philippine Commission meantime
will deliberate carefully over the question before
reaching any conclusions"
Il has been suggested that uEder the notice of
amnesty the prisoner should be set at liberty at
orce but there is a provision in the amnesty
proclamation which says that those who have
violated the laws Of war are excepted from its
terms Whether or not General Macarthur has
satisfied himself that Agunado has not vio-
lated the laws Of war cannot be told. as the
prisoner would he permitted TO take the oath
pending an investigation Of his past conduct
Aguiraldo. having been the head Of the insur-
rection undoubtedly can be held until A further
Investigation is made or the circums tances or
the situation IN the Philippines make II advis-
able to release him outright or otherwise dls-
pose Of him. These conditions and the general
situation and Agunado's relation 70 them
were the subject Of General MacArthurs dis
patch. and are being considered by the author
tiles here. who viii have the final disposition OF