Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-22
DEATH OF GENERAL FUNSTON A
MARKED NATIONAL LOSS.


unusual degree to the men who would be
our leaders in case Of war. Our troubles
with Mexico had made General Frederick
Funston conspicuous in the public eye
and 1t is no exaggeration to say that in
the event Of war with any power Of the
old world he would have doomed large
on the military horizon. It follows that
the death Of General Funston at this
time impresscs itself as a peculiar loss
to the entire nation.
General Funston will undoubtedly be
best known In history for his exploit in
capturing Aguinaldo with the aid Of only
ten Kansas volunteers for service in the
philippines. This 1.-the Filipino was
particularly troublesome for tho United
States, and 50 long as he remained at
largo there was certain to be formidable
opposition to the government established
by the United States in that archipelago.
Villas capture by tho American az
petition would not have ended trouble
for Americans in Mexico. but the taking
Of Aguinaldo broke the back Of the
Philippine revolution. and the work Of
pacifcation went forward rapidly from
that time.
Strangely enough General Funston's
part in our recent troubles with Mexico
which kept him conspicuously in tho
public eye for a considerable period. made
his name more familiar to the American
public than his famous exploit in tho
Philippines, although in all military CIR
cles his service in the Far East was not
forgotten.
Funston's own story Of the Aguinaldo
episode was simplicity and modesty itself
He learned that Aguinaldo, in hiding At
Palanan. expected reinforcements and he
decided that he would supply Them Sup
plying captured insurgent uniforms to
four Tagalos and seventy-eight Macca-
bcbc scouts, all Of whom could speak
Tagalo. and placing an ex-fnsurgent in
nominal command. he set out with them
for AGuinaldo's camp
When they were within eight miles
Of the camp his food supply was ex-
hausted and his men were so weak that
they could 60 no further and word was
sent to the Filipino chief that IL he
wanted his reinforcements he must send
aid. Aguinaldo did and then drew up his
bodyguard of fifty men to receive the
newcomers.
The men who posed as officers Of
our expedition" said Funston in his re-
port. marched into camp and paid their
respects to Aguinaldo, who received them
in large house built on the bank of the
Palanan river.
officers excused themselves from Agu!-
naldo and his staff for a moment. stepped
| outside and ordered the Maccabebe troops
drawn up into line and commanded them
to commence firing into Aguinaldo's
troops. The rout of the insurgents was
! complete. The ex-insurgent officers, the
five Americans and several Maccabebe
scouts Immediately made rush for the
house which was used as Aguinaldo's
headquarters and took him prisoner"
General Funston, who was affectionate-
ly but variously known in military cir
cles as Fighting Fred" THE Bantam
Of the Army" and 1.-THE Little Man OF
War" had one Of the most variegated
picturesque and adventurous careers OF
any modern soldier. He was at various
times student. railroad conductor, reporter
on newspaper, agent of the department
of agriculture, leader Of insurgents in
Cuba, and finally commanding officer
in the United States army His youth
was embittered because he could not sc.
cure an appointment at West Point, but
he was destined to rise from the ranks
of the volunteers and to overcome his
early handicap. He ultimately secured a
major-generalship in the United states
army largely because Of the fighting
blood that was in him.
Hes the greatest daredevil in the
army, and he'd rather fight than eat
| That was the answer Of Brig. Gen. Otis
when some one asked him II Col
Frederick Funston OF the Twentieth
Kansas Volunteers. Army of the Philip.
pines. could fight. and chiefs of stan
have remembered that estimate Of him
every time in the last sixteen years tina,
there has been anything for the United
| States army to do.
Other qualities OF General Funston are
brought out in tri6ntes OF various mill
tary authorities. Major-Gen. Hugh l.
Scott. chief of the general staff. said
1.-THE death of General Funston is q
great loss to the army, in which he had
many friends. His modest. urassumine
way endeared him to all with whom hi
was associated. His military efficiency
gained him the confidence Of the army
Personally, ! feel the loss OF a rca
friend"
Representative Kahn Of California
ranking member of the House committe,
on military affairs, said: General Fun
ston was a splendid officer modest, eff
cient. unassuming brave as a lion. II,
could be depended upon In any emer
gency. as was learned in San Francisco