Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-04-04
ALLEGED PHILIPPINE FRAUDS
Said by Gen. Macarthur Not TO Be Large
Enough to Cause Concern.

Washington. April 3.-Thc following
cablegram was received. today. at the
war department from General MacAr-
thur at Manila:
"Brigadier General Robert Z. Hughes
reports surrender at Banga. nc:th-
west Panay, March 81, of 30 officers,
1856 men, 105 rifles. Gen. Kobbe reports
81 men and Il guns surrendered,
March 81, northern Mindanao.
"Commissary frauds being investiga-
ted; not sufficient gravity to cause
concern. apparently due to irreSularity
in sales of savings. Press reports in
exact and misleading.
(SigneO MACARTHUR."
Gen. MacArthur's dispatch, as wen
as other information received concern
ing the frauds. leave considerable doubt
as to the exact character of these al
legged speCu,ations.
Gen. Macarthur speaks Of sales"
These sales consist of savings by the
soldiers on the regular rations ISSUED.
which they are allowed to dispose of
for their own benefit They may be
returned to the commissary depart
ment and bought in by the government
at cost price, but there is no reason
why they should not be sold elsewhere
if the managers of the company fund
should so desire.
Sales from CommiSsary stores not in
cluded in the regular ration are made
to officers and men, but only upon ii
certificate or declaration that they are
for the personal Ise of the purchaser.
1t is said that no great amount of
such sales could be used by any per-
son or persons without detection.
Gen. Macarthur cables that the num-
bcr of sick in the Philippines is 81; in
hospital and 9,S in quarters. the percent
age being $50.
After a consultation with the President.
Secretary Root. tonight, sent a cable mes
sage to Gen. Macarthur giving him in
structions regarding Asuinaldo and the
views of the administration on some rec
concentrations as to Philippine affairs
made by Gen. MacArthur. The contents
of the cableGram will not be made public
for the present.
1t was stated that the war department.
today. that Gen. Mac Arthur had made
no communication relative to Aeuinaldo.
today. and that the attitude of this gov
ernment toward the insurScnt chief had
not changed. lie is yet held as 4 prisoner
and while he will be treated with Kindness
there is no disposition to allow him lib-
erty until il is demonstrated that he in
tends to comply fully with the amnesty
terms and his oath OF allegiance.
Tho cable message sent. tonight, was OF
considerable length and was quite spe-
ciiic as to the policy of the government
Il is understood that -NSlinaldo would
like certain assurances or promises from
the government and the message inform
Cd Gen. Macarthur Just what the gov
crEmcnt would do. While X il believed
that the insurrection woGld end before
lone, without the assistance of -AgyBnald1,
the government wot:.d be glad t1 mIf"
use of him 20 hasten the paci:ication q!
the islands il it can he done consistently
with AGuinaido's former attitude ana con
sistcntlv with what the best interests OF
the Uaited States in the Islands are be
lievcd to demand.
inquiry here develops the fact ,h1:
A-uinaido has rot been invited hE Pres
idcnt Mckinley 10 visit tha t'rit'd states.
and whether or not hc will hc in tho fu-
turc is 4 question thlt Will be determined
in the future.
The position Is = little premature
said an Official. tonight. "Aguiraldo i
stu under arrest ana j: is understood
tnat his future disposition has not yr'
been decided upon b. this government