New-York tribune., 1901-04-03
AGUINALDO'S ALLEGIANCE.

There is better news of Emilio AguinaldO
than even that of his capture last week. 1t is
that he has taken the oath of allegiance TO the
United States. The dispatch announcing this
is brief, but eminently lucid and cOmprehen-
sive. No conditions appear 10 have been ex-
acted and no bargain to have been made.
There We're no promises and no threats Agui-
naldos captOrs wisely permitted him to confer
with his former comrades. and to investigate
for himself the actual state of affairs in LuZon
and elsewhere. Apparently. in his jungle flights
and in his remote hiding places Aguinaldo was
not able to keep himself well informed concern
ing the waning of the insurrectiOn and the
progress of pacification and establishment of
civil government. At Manila he has seen a
great light And the agreeable result is that he
voluntarily takes the oath of allegiance to the
United States. acknowledging its supreme
ereignty over the Philippine archipelago and
renouncing all connection with the insurgents
In this he has acted not Unexpectedly, but
shrewdly and wisely; though we fear not alto
gether to the comfort and satisfaction of some
of his American sympathizers who have all
along been somewhat more Tagal than the
Tagals.
This, say, is better news than that of last
week. not only because of the manner in which
the incident has been effected but also and
more because of its altogether probable re-
suits Aguinaldo recalctrant and defiant. in
captivity, and treated perforce as a dangerous
criminal. might have been an incitement to
his former associates TO hold out the more
stubbornly against American authority. Agui-
naldo voluntarily taking the oath Of allegiance
and renouncng the insurrection of which he
was the author and head is a living witness
of the futility of further resistance and n lv
ing exhortation TO his friends to follow his eX-
ample without waiting TO share his fate in
being captured. That they will do so there is
ample room to expect. As a matter Of fact
they are daily doing so. Aguinaldo has dis
! covered in the few days since his capture that
not a few of the leaders who down to this
time he supposed 10 be still under his flag and
ready TO succeed him if necessary some time
| ago surrendered TO the American authorities
We cannot doubt that others will do in in
creasng numbers. now that their supreme
leader and former Dictator has set the
ample.
The news is to be welcomed also because 1t
simplifies the answer to the question as to
what is 10 be done with Agunaldo. When his
capture was announced there were many
marks TO the effect that the government had
got a white elephant upon its hands. and that
IL would be found more embarrassing TO dis
pose of him than ii had been difficult to catch
him. We saw no reason for such anticipa-
tions but rather for confidence that those who
were on the ground and thus far better
informed and far better qualified to deal
with the case than any one here. would
find some way Of disposing of him that would
be consonant with prudence and justice. In
that confidence are confirmed. Certainly the
American authorities have done well in treat
ing AguinaldO so that he has felt himself more
like guest than prisoner, and has been led,
through revelations of facts. 10 accept Ameri-
can sovereignty and 10 take the oath of allie
glance What next is to be done may wisely
be left TO them. under, of course, the ultimate
control of the government at Washington.
This nation has no cause to love Aguinaldo.
But il has no wish TO be yindictive toward him.
Ii may we'll accept his allegiance in the same de-
gree of good faith in which it is given. And
while the memory of former days and dolnGs
may Justify the keeping of close watch upon
his future career TO guard against any pos
sible lapse of loyalty. that fact need not pre-
vent his having and improving an opportunity
to redeem his record and to make himself as
benefcent TO both the Philippines and the
United States as he has for the last two years
been pernicious