Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-04-05

ing cablegram received at the war de-
partment Tuesday morning at eight
O'clock:
"Manila.-Adjutant General. Washing
ton: Since arrival at Manila Aguinaldo
has been at Malacanan Investigating con-
ditions in archipelago. He has relied al
most entirely upon the instructive advice
Of Chief Justice Arellano. AS a result
to-day he subscribed and swore to the
declaration on page II of my annual re-
port.
The oath referred to is as follows:
1T, -, hereby renounce all allegiance to
any and all so-called revolutionary govern
ments in the Philippine islands and recog-
nize and accept the supreme authority of
the United States of America therein; l
do solemnly swear that will bear true
faith and allegiance to that government;
that I will at all times conduct myself as
faithful and law-abiding citizen of the
said Islands, and will not. either directly
OF indirectly, hold correspondence with or
give intelligence to an enemy of the United
States, nor will abet, harbor or protect
such enemy: that 1 impose upon myself
these voluntary obligations without any
mental reservations or purpose Of evasion.
SO help me Cod"
Is Still q Prisoner.
Notwithstanding the taking of the
oath by Aguinaldo he is still held a
prisoner by Gen. Macarthur. 1t is
possible he may be granted more lib
erty of action, but he will not be af-
forded complete freedom for the pres
emit. The action of Aguinaldo in TAX
ing the oath, it is believed at the war
department, will have far-reaching
effect in the pacification of the islands.
Information Withheld.
The dispatch conveying the informa-
ton contained much more than was
given to the public. The portion with
held related to the future disposition
of Aguinaldo and made suggestions us
to what the late chief of the Insured
ton might accomplish. No official
statement could be obtained as to what
finally would be done with the pris'
! oner, but it was emphatically stated
that he would be held for the present
| but would be granted all possible i'm
munity consistent with existing condi,
lions. Gen. Macarthur has hopes that
great deal may be accomplished
through Aguinaldo. During the time
he has been prisoner he has made
quite favorable impression upon Gen
: Macarthur.
1t has been suggested that under the
terms of the notice Of amnesty the
prisoner should be set at liberty al
once, 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 Gen. Macarthur has
satisfied himself that Aguinaldo has
not violated the law cannot be stated
take the oath pending anlnvest.1gut ttr
of his past conduct. Aguinaldo, having
been the head of the insurrection, un
aoubetdly can be held until further
investigation Is made, or until the cir
cumstances which surround the stu
alton in the Philippines make 1t ad
visable to release him outright or 9th.
erwise dispose of him. These condi.
lions and the general situation and
Aguinaldo's relation to them were the
subject of Gen. MacArthur's dispatch
and are being considered by the au.
thorities here, who will have the final
| News Gives Satisfaction,
! The news of Aguinaldo's action was
received with evident satisfaction by
the war department, and the opinion
was expressed that good results would
follow among those who have been
still holding out against the United
States. The taking of the oath in it.
self is regarded as giving Aguinaldo n
status of loyalty to the United States
quite different from these still in
arms. The departments Instructions
for the government of armies in the
field recites as follows:
1.-THE commander will throw the burden
of war, as much as lies within his power,
on the disloyal citizens of the reyolted
portion or province, and if he deems 1t APP
proprfate, or II his government demands
of him that every citizen shall by an oath
OF allegiance. declare his fidelity to the le-
climate government he may expel, trans
Ter, imprison. or fine the revolving citizens
VINO refuse to takesthe oath, etc. Whether
y is expedlept to do so, and whether res
lance can be placed upon such oath, the
commander or his government has the
right TO decide
In the present case Gen. Macarthur
has considered it expedient to have
Aguinaldo take this oath, and appar-
emily has held that reliance can be
placed upon the oath. The army reg
ulations make no distinct provision
that the taking of the oath shall give
complete liberty to person, although
the above-quoted provision shows that
those manifesting loyalty by subscrib-
ing to an oath Of allegiance are to be
spared from the hardships OF war, and
that only those remaining disloyal are
to be visited with the harsh treatment
of war.
The war department authorities say
that offenses against the articles of
war, excepted in the proclamation of
amnesty, refer to murders and like
depredations. Only recently five Fill
Pine officers were executed for such Of
lenses. 1t is not known here whet Their
Aguinaldo was responsible in any case
for such offenses, though from the fact
that Gen. Macarthur allowed him to
take the oath of allegiance it is as
sumed that the commanding general
does not hold Aguinaldo to be charge
able with violation of the articles of
war. 1t is believed Gen. Macarthur will
keep the ex-leader under his eve and
avail himself of the good Offices of
Aguinaldo in loyalizing the remnant of
the insurgent forces
Regards 1t Important.
Boston, April 3-Sixto Lopez was in
formed that Aguinaldo had taken tho