AGUINALDO'S CAPTURE, SCHURMAN'S PLAN, IMPROVEMENTS AT FIREMAN'S HALL, AND ENDORSEMENT OF "HELLO BILL"

 

Emilio Aguinaldo.

Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston.

Maj. Gen. Arthur MacArthur, Jr.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, March 29, 1901.

FUNSTON TELLS OF TRIP.

Aguinaldo's Capture Not Made Without Hardships.

WILL PROBABLY END REBELLION.

Insurgent Leader May Advise a General Surrender and Acknowledgment of American Supremacy—MacArthur Recommends Funston For Brigadier Generalship.

   MANILA, March 29.—General Fred Funston, who on March 23 captured General Emilio Aguinaldo, when interviewed yesterday by a representative of the press, made the following statement concerning the capture of the Filipino leader:

   The confidential agent of Aguinaldo arrived Feb. 29 at Pantabangan, in the province of Nueve Ecija, Northern Luzon, with letters dated Jan. 11, 12 and 14. These letters were from Emilio Aguinaldo, and directed Baldomero Aguinaldo to take command of the provinces of Central Luzon, supplanting General Alejandrino. Emilio Aguinaldo also ordered that 400 men be sent him as soon as possible, saying that the bearer of the letters would guide these men to where Aguinaldo was.

   General Funston secured the correspondence of Aguinaldo's agent and laid his plans accordingly. Some months previously he had captured the camp of the insurgent General Lacuna, incidentally obtaining Lacuna's seal, official papers and a quantity of signed correspondence. From this material two letters were constructed ostensibly from Lacuna to Aguinaldo.

   One of these contained information as to the progress of the war. The other asserted that pursuant to orders received from Baldomero Aguinaldo, Lacuna was sending his best company to President Emilio Aguinaldo.

   His plans completed and approved General Funston came to Manila and organized his expedition, selecting 78 Macabebes, all of whom spoke Tagalog fluently. Twenty wore insurgent uniforms and the others the dress of Filipino laborers. This Macabebe company, armed with 50 Mausers. 18 Remingtons and 10 Krag-Jorgensens, was commanded by Captain Russell T. Hazzard. With him was his brother Lieutenant Oliver P. M. Hazzard, both of the Eleventh United States cavalry. Captain Harry W. Newton, Thirty-fourth infantry, was taken because of his familiarity with Casiguran bay and Lieutenant Burton J. Mitchell, Fortieth infantry, went as General Funston's aide. These were the only Americans accompanying the leader of the expedition.

Funston Knew His Men.

   With the Macabebes were four ex-insurgent officers, one being a Spaniard and the other three Tagalogs, whom General Funston trusted implicitly.

   General Funston and the American officers wore plain blue shirts and khaki trousers. They carried each a half blanket, but wore no insignia of rank. The Macabebes were carefully instructed to obey the orders of the four ex-insurgent officers.

   On the night of March 8 the party embarked on the United States gunboat Vicksburg. It was originally intended to take cascoes from the island of  Polillo and to drift to the mainland, but a storm arose and three of the ciscoes were lost. This plan was abandoned. At 2 a. m., March 14, the Vicksburg put her lights out and ran inshore 25 miles South of Casiguran, province of Principe. The party landed and marched to Casiguran, The Americans had never garrisoned this place and the inhabitants are strong insurgent sympathizers. Having arrived there the ex-insurgent officers, ostensibly commanding the party, announced that they were on the way to join Aguinaldo between Pantabangan and Baler, that they had surprised an American scouting party and that they had killed a number, capturing five. They exhibited General Funston and the other Americans as their prisoners.

Had a Rough Journey.

   The insurgent presidente of Casiguran believed the story. Two of the Lacuna letters, previously concocted, were forwarded to Aguinaldo at Palanan, province of Isabela. General Funston and the others were kept imprisoned for three days, surreptitiously giving orders at night. On the morning of March 17, taking a small quantity of cooked corn, the party started on a 90-mile march to Palanan. The country is rough and uninhabited and provisions could not be secured. The party ate small shell fish, but was almost starved. Wading swift rivers, climbing precipitous mountains and penetrating dense jungles, they marched seven days and nights and on March 22 had reached a point eight miles from Palanan. They were now so weak that it was necessary to send to Aguinaldo's camp for food. Aguinaldo dispatched supplies and directed that the American prisoners be kindly treated, but not to be allowed to enter the town. On the morning of March 23 the advance was resumed. The column was met by the staff officers of Aguinaldo and a detachment of Aguinaldo's bodyguard, which was ordered to take charge of the Americans.

   While one of the ex-insurgent officers conversed with Aguinaldo's aide, another, a Spaniard, sent a courier to warn General Funston and the rest who with 11 Macabebes were about an hour behind. Having received this warning, General Funston avoided Aguinaldo's detachment and joined the column, avoiding observation. The Tagalogs went ahead to greet Aguinaldo, and the column slowly followed, finally arriving at Palanan.

   Aguinaldo's household troops, 50 men in neat uniforms of blue and white and wearing straw hats, lined up to receive the newcomers. General Funston's men crossed the river in small boats, formed on the bank and marched to the right and then in front of the insurgent grenadiers. The Tagalogs entered the house where Aguinaldo was.

   Suddenly the Spanish officer, noticing that Aguinaldo's aide was watching the Americans suspiciously, exclaimed:

   "Now, Macabebes, go for them." The Macabebes opened fire, but their aim was rather ineffective, and only three insurgents were killed. The rebels returned the fire. On hearing the firing Aguinaldo, who evidently thought his men were merely celebrating the arrival of reinforcements, ran to the window—and shouted: "Stop that foolishness. Quit wasting ammunition."

Insurgent Grabbed Aguinaldo.

   Hilarin Placido, one of the Tagalog officers and a former insurgent major, who was wounded in the lung by the fire of the Kansas regiment at the battle of Caloocan, threw his arms around Aguinaldo, exclaiming- "You are a prisoner of the Americans."

   Colonel Simeon Villia, Aguinaldo's chief of staff, Major Alambra and others attacked the men who were holding Aguinaldo. Placido shot Villia in the shoulder. Alambra jumped out of the window and attempted to cross the river. It is supposed that he was drowned. Five other insurgent officers fought for a few minutes and then fled, making their escape.

   When the firing began General Funston assumed command and directed the attack on the house, personally assisting in the capture of Aguinaldo. The insurgent bodyguard fled, leaving 20 rifles. Santiago Barcetona, the insurgent treasurer, surrendered without resistance.

   When captured, Aguinaldo was tremendously excited but he calmed down under General Funston's assurance that he would be well treated. General Funston secured all of Aguinaldo's correspondence, showing that he had kept in close touch with the sub-chiefs of the insurrection in all parts of the archipelago.

   It was also discovered that Aguinaldo, Jan. 28, had proclaimed himself dictator. He had been living at Palanan for seven months, undisturbed except when a detachment of the Sixteenth infantry visited the town. On that occasion the entire population took to the mountains and remained there until the troops retired.

   Aguinaldo admitted that he had come near to being captured before, but he asserted that he had never been wounded, adding: "I should never have been taken except by a stratagem. I was completely deceived by Lacuna's signature." He feared he might be sent to Guam, and he was quite glad to come to Manila.

   Palanan was guarded by numerous outposts and signal stations. During the fight none of the Macabebes was wounded. The expedition rested March 24 and then marched 10 miles a day to Palanan bay, where General Funston found the Vicksburg, which brought him to Manila. Commander Barry of the Vicksburg rendered General Funston splendid assistance.

   Aguinaldo, who talked freely of past events, said he supposed General Trias would proclaim himself dictator, evidently not knowing that Trias had surrendered. He behaved courteously and gave no trouble.

   General Funston says Aguinaldo is above the average in intelligence and has prepossessing manners.

 

Jacob Gould Schurman.

SCHURMAN'S PLAN.

He Would Make Aguinaldo Governor of a Tagalog Province.

   ITHACA, N. Y., March 29.—President J. G. Schurman of Cornell university, who was head of the first Philippine commission, yesterday gave to a press representative his views on what he considers should be done with Aguinaldo. He said:

   "Our object is good government in the Philippines. We seek no punishment, no vengeance. We have already used a considerable number of men who have been active in Aguinaldo's government or army to aid in carrying on the work of pacification and government. Now Aguinaldo has shown that he possess administrative gifts of high order and just as soon as he follows his late colleagues in taking the oath of allegiance and accepting American sovereignty we should utilize his gift in fulfillment of our task of  governing the archipelago.

   "I should think it highly appropriate to appoint him governor of Cavite, Bulacan or some other Tagalog province. In any event there should be amnesty for the past and a new departure in the direction of hearty co-operation between the Americans and Filipinos, which by direction of President McKinley it was part of the business of the commission over which I had the honor lo preside, to announce, promote and cultivate.

   "Now that the insurrection is over, the greater problem of government confronts  us. It is to be solved by our using the natural leaders of the Filipinos in high office and giving the different peoples all self government, municipal and provincial, of which they are capable, as well as representation in the general government at Manila, which must, however, be kept under American control. To use Aguinaldo just as soon as he accepted the oath of office in carrying out this program would be the most important step in the direction of the policy of co-operation and an impressive illustration of it. In that way lies the solution of our Philippine problem."

 

They Don't Believe In It.

   WASHINGTON, March 29.—The suggestion of Jacob Gould Schurman, president of the First Philippine commission, that Aguinaldo be made the governor of a province, does not meet with any favor here.

 

RESISTANCE TO CEASE SOON

And United States Authority Will Be Supreme in Philippines.

   MANILA, March 29.—President Taft of the Philippine commission, who is now in the Southern islands, has heard by telegraph of the capture of Aguinaldo, and says that he regards it as marking the end of the resistance to American authority. The news of Aguinaldo's capture is being sent in every direction.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Capture of Aguinaldo.

    The capture of Aguinaldo is one of the most remarkable incidents in the war in the Philippines. It is almost without a parallel in the world's history. The only event that can really be compared with it is the burning of the Philadelphia in 1804 in the harbor of Tripoli by a handful of American soldiers under Decatur in the midst of the enemy's warships. Admiral Dewey says that it was such a risky undertaking that if General Funston had lost his life every one would have said "I told you so." But it was successful in every particular and just as those who were in the secret were beginning to be fearful as to the result the gunboat Vicksburg steamed into Manila harbor with Funston and his prisoner Aguinaldo on board.

   The plan originated with General Funston, though it met with the approval of Gen. MacArthur. But so fearful were these officers of the details leaking out that they did not give a bit of information to any one whatever that any place was on foot for the capture of the rebel leader till General Funston and his party had departed and were well on the way to their destination. Not even was the president notified till, as it proved to be, exactly on the day that the capture was affected.

   It appears that on Feb. 28 the confidential agent of Aguinaldo was captured with letters from his principal in his possession showing that Aguinaldo was near Casiguran, 9 miles from Baler on the north-east coast of the island of Luzon. Some mouths before General Funston had captured the camp of the insurgent General Lacuna with his seal, official papers and a quantity of signed correspondence. From this material two letters were constructed, ostensibly from Lacuna to Aguinaldo. One of these contained information as to the progress of the war. The other asserted that, pursuant to orders received from Baldomero Aguinaldo, Lacuna was sending his best company to President Emilio Aguinaldo.

   General Funston then organized a party of seventy-eight Maccabebes. He also took with him Captain Russell T. Haggard, Lieutenant Oliver P M. Hazzard, Captain Harry W. Newton and Lieutenaut Burton J. Mitchell. With the Maccabebes were four ex-insurgent officers, one being a Spaniard and the other three Tagalogs, whom General Funston trusted implicitly.

   With this party General Funston left Manila on the night of March 8 on the gunboat Vicksburg. On March 14 at 2 A. M. they were put ashore 25 miles from Casiguran, province of Principe.  They at once marched to Casiguran. After arriving there the ex-insurgent officers, ostensibly commanding the party, announced that they were to join Aguinaldo between Palanan and Baler; that they had surprised an American surveying party and that they had killed a number, capturing five. They exhibited General Funston and the other Americans as their prisoners.

   The insurgent president of Casiguran believed the story. Two of the Lacuna letters, previously concocted, were forwarded to Aguinaldo at Palanan, province of Isbela. General Funston and the others were kept imprisoned for three days, giving orders at night. On the night of March 17, taking a small quantity of cooked corn the party started on a 90-mile march to Palanan. The country is rough and uninhabited and provisions could not be secured. The party ate small fish, but was almost starved. Wading swift rivers, climbing precipitous mountains and penetrating dense jungles, they marched seven days and nights, and on March 22, had reached a point eight miles from Palanan. They were now so weak that it was necessary to send to Aguinaldo's camp for food.

   Aguinaldo dispatched supplies and directed that the American prisoners be kindly treated, but not be allowed to enter the town.

   On the morning of March 23 the advance was resumed. The column was met by the staff officers of Aguinaldo and a detachment of Aguinaldo's bodyguard, which was ordered to take charge of the Americans.

  While one of the ex-insurgent officers conversed with Aguinaldo's aides, another, a Spaniard, sent a courier to warn General Funston and the rest who, with eleven Macabebes, were about an hour behind. Having received this warning, General Funston avoided General Aguinaldo's detachment and joined the column, avoiding observation. The Tagalogs went ahead to greet Aguinaldo and the column slowly followed, finally arriving at Palanan.

   Aguinaldo's household troops, fifty men in neat uniforms of blue and white and wearing straw hats, lined up to receive the new comers. General Funston's men crossed the river in small boats, formed on the bank and marched to the right and then in front of the insurgent grenadiers. The Tagalogs entered the house where Aguinaldo was.

   Suddenly the Spanish officer, noticing that Aguinaldo's aide was watching the Americans suspiciously exclaimed: "Now, Macabebes, go for them." The Macabebes opened fire, but their aim was rather ineffective, and only three insurgents were killed. The rebels returned the fire. On hearing the firing Aguinaldo, who evidently thought his men were merely celebrating the arrival of reinforcements, ran to the window and shouted: "Stop that foolishness. Quit wasting ammunition."

   Hilario Placido, one of the Tagalog officers and a former insurgent major, w ho was wounded in the lung by the fire of Kansas regiment at the battle of Caloocan, threw his arms around Aguinaldo, exclaiming: "You are a prisoner of the Americans."

   Col. Simeon Villia, Aguinaldo's chief of staff, Major Alambra and others attacked the men who were holding Aguinaldo. Placido shot Villia in the shoulder. Alambra jumped out of the window and attempted to cross the river. It is supposed he was drowned. Five other insurgent officers fought for a few minutes and then fled, making their escape.

   When the firing began, Gen. Funston assumed command and directed the attack on the house, personally assisting in the capture of Aguinaldo. The insurgent bodyguard fled, leaving twenty rifles. Santiago Barceton, the insurgent treasurer, surrendered without resistance.

   When captured, Aguinaldo was tremendously excited, but he calmed down under Gen. Funston's assurance that he would be well treated. Gen. Funston secured all of Aguinaldo's correspondence, showing that he had kept in close touch with the sub-chiefs of the insurrection in all parts of the archipelago.

   Aguinaldo admitted that he had come near to being captured before, but he asserted that he had never been wounded. He added: "I should never have been taken except by stratagem. I was completely deceived by Lacuna's forged signature."

   He feared he might be sent to Guam and he was glad to come to Manila.

   Palanan was guarded by numerous outposts and signal stations. During the fight none of the Macabebes was wounded.

   The expedition rested March 24 and then marched sixteen miles the following day to Palanan Bay, where Gen. Funston found the Vicksburg, which brought him to Manila.

   The leading question now is what shall he done with the prisoner. The general belief is that he may be sent to the island of Guam under surveillance. General MacArthur cables that Aguinaldo will issue an address advising a general surrender, delivering of arms and acceptance of American supremacy. If he does that it may simplify matters.

 

Fireman's Hall, lower right, exterior view.

Improvements at Fireman's Hall.

   The first floor rooms and the bunker room at the engine house are being treated to new paper and fresh paint. D. M. Fuller and son are doing the work. The stables for the fire team are completed and the city steeds will be introduced to their new quarters next Monday morning.

 

DIED IN SPRINGFIELD.

Mrs. Barrows Was Known to Many in This Vicinity.

   Mrs. Lydia Smith Barrows, widow of Charles Barrow, died at her home in Springfield, Mass., on March 16, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 23 days. Mrs. Smith was a relative of the late Mrs. Clark Pendleton, grandmother of Mrs. N. J. Peck and of Mr. W. L. Lyman of Cortland. In 1833-34 Mrs. Barrows taught school in the Reynolds district in South Cortland and some of her pupils are still living. The original schoolhouse in that district is still standing. It is just east of the present schoolhouse and is used as a hay barn. Mrs. Barrows kept up her acquaintance with residents of this county, visiting frequently in Cortland and Homer. Mr. Barrows was for forty-six years a teacher in the Springfield public schools and one of the present school buildings of that city bears his name.

 

ENDORSEMENT OF ''HELLO BILL."

Wallace & Gilmore Tell of Its Recent Appearance at Oswego.

   To Our Patrons:

   We would respectfully call your attention to the attraction at the Opera House Saturday evening of this week. Although the name would signify a rough comedy, we wish to assure our patrons of a very funny comedy of the highest class and entirely suitable for a most refined audience. "Hello Bill" was presented at the Richardson theatre, Oswego, N. Y., last Friday evening and to say that the audience was well pleased would be putting it mildly, It seemed as though there was a continuous laugh from the time the curtain went up until its fall. The situations were the most laughable that Oswego patrons have witnessed this season and the company is certainly complete.

   It is a well known fact that when we come out and endorse in your daily paper any attraction, it is always found to be exactly as we present, for we will not use our name and endorsement of an attraction that we do not know is all right. Of course, many of the large attractions are known to our patrons and it is not necessary to write a letter of endorsement, but ''Hello Bill" is a new attraction at Cortland and we wish to impress upon the minds of the people the fact that this is really an excellent attraction and one that  will certainly please everybody.

   Seats are now on sale at Rood's, [Railroad-st., Cortland], and we sincerely hope that "Hello Bill" will have a refined and large audience, for the piece and company certainly deserve it. Respectfully yours,

   WALLACE & GILMORE.

 

Judge A. P. Smith.

Auction.

   Monday, April 1901, at 10 A. M. Diningroom, parlor, bedroom furnishings, pictures and all household goods at the home of the late [Judge and Mrs.] A. P. Smith, 26 West Court-st. [Paid ad.]

 

BREVITIES.

   —Mr. H. H. Robbins and family have moved from 19 Clayton-ave. to 7 North Church-st.

   —The STANDARD'S bird editor reports a large flock of wild geese going north yesterday. Spring must be at hand.

   —Mr. R. G. Lewis is moving his family from 9 Prospect-st. to 240 Port Watson-st., the house formerly used as the Old Ladies' Home.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Tyler & Smith, Clothing, page 7; A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; Buck & Lane, Hardware, page 6; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 6; E. E. Bates, Optician, page 5; T. S. Mourin, Funeral director, page 8: Baker & Angell, Shoes, page 2.