THE PHILIPPINES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12479, 19 April 1901, Page 5

THE PHILIPPINES.

HOW AGUINALDO WAS CAPTURED. (Per R.M.S. Sonoma at Auckland). SAN FRANCISCO, March 29. The capture of Aguinaldo on March 24 is regarded merely as one of the closing incidents of the war in the Pnilippines. The affair was conducted with some gallantry,, and General Funston, who is credited with having planned and executed' ■the details of the capture, is the popular hero of the hour. General Funston conceived the idea of pursuing Aguinaldo to his remote hiding place, and, by the aid of forged letters, and aided by the treachery to the rebel leader of some persons in whom he trusted, £1 went off as projected. The Americans went into the insurgent camp in the guise of prisoners of the insurgents, and once inside Funston threw off this pretence and began giving orders, which resulted' in the capture. Aguinaldo was at first much excited, but grew calm when ho learnt no boculy harm would be done hkn. He was at onCe carried to Manila, and it is at present hoped, both there and at Washington, that the Filipino leader, who has proved himself a brave and able- man,, and a moderating influence among his people, may be induced t 0 issue such a proclamation to 'his countrymen as may be of great aid to the Americans in the effort at the pacification' of the islands. It is too early to determine what action has been decided on, but the officials at Washington have discussed the matter informally, and unite in the disposition- to be as dement as possible if the conduct of the prisoner is such as to warrant such tactics. There has been talk of sending Aguinaldo to Guam, but some aiie of the Hawaiian Islands may be selected instead, if it appears desirable to exile the Dictator of the Filipinos. . Many officers of the insurgent army have surrendered, and the laying down of a rms has gone on to such an extent that the war has become little more than the hostility of bands of badly armed people, who have been driven to a half savage mode of life' by the destruction of their, homes and crops. The end of "the war is earnestly desired by all' parties in America, and it is believed that American occupation will soon mean financial and educational expansion, rather than the flaunting of military power.