Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1898-08-09
TO FEED PRISONERS.
UNCLE SAM TO TAKE CARE OF CAP
TIVES AT SANTIAGO.

Arrangements Under Way to Furnish Sup
plies to the Suffering Inhabitants of tho
Bcsieged City-Spanish Prisoners to he
Eventually Brought to This Country.
The problem Of feeding the people of
Santiago and the prisoners taken there,
i'll addition to the United States troops
under Shafter, was discussed at a long
conference the other afternoon between
Secretary Alger, Quartermaster General
Ludington and Commissary General
Eagan. 1t is very se1ous matter and
cannot be adequately adjusted until the
war department has been acquainted
with the conditions that will exist after
the town has been taken. General Shat
ter took with him supplies for six
months for about 80, men and ami
mails. These, IL is estimated, will last
the United States troops and their Gu
ban allies, the needy people of Santiago
and the Spanish army defending the
place for three months, so that there is
no fear for the present of any lack of
subsistence. The supplies that accom-.
panied General Shafter were intended
for use in the Porto Rico as we'll as the
Santiago campaign, and for that reason
1t is intended to send additional sup
plies to Santiago, so that those now in
the possession of the American forces
will not be depleted. Arrangements for
sending a great quantity of foodstuffs
to Santiago are being made by the COM
missary general and the quartermaster
general. The administration does not
propose to let the people of Santiago
suffer after the city is in possession of
the American army.
The military authorities believe that
the suffering people of the besieged city
have heard the stories about the abun-
dance Of food supplies in the possession
of the invaders and anticipate friendly
reception for Skaters troops from
great many of the residents. 1t was said
at the war department that the Spanish
forces might find greater difficulty in
holding Santiago through the desire of
the people to have the Americans, with
their unlimited store of provisions, gain
quick victory and expedite the distri.
button Of the rations
The reports that many refugees have
taken the risk of getting through the
Spanish lines to tho American position
in the hope of obtaining food have con.
WINGED army officers that the news is
spreading in Santiago that the terrible
Yankees are not so terrible after all,
but have wagon loads Of good things to
eat, which they intend to give to the
needy in the city. 1t would not surprise
officials i'll Washington if riots began in
Santiago over failure of the Spanish
forces to surrender or capitulate within
q reasonable time.
The administration believes that
Shafter will capture nearly all the enc
my's forces now in Santiago The ques-
ton of what disposition shall be made
Of this great number of prisoners has
been bothering the president and Secre.
tary Alger for some time, but they hope
to reach u definite decision soon as t.
the location of great military prison.
II is not intended to leave the prisoners
in Santiago. They will be transported
to the United States as rapidlya us posi-
bic in order to relieve the goverumrA,
troops i'll Cuba Of the necessity OF guard.
ing them.
The administration has not receded
from its decision to allow the Cuban
allies to hold Santiago after the cam.
paign there is over, so that General
Skaters corps can participate in the
Porto Rico programme United States
troops will, however, be garrisoned at
Santiago until the last of the prisoners
has been sent to this country. The war
department. officials have four places in
view, any one Of which would be an
excellent location for military prison.
They say that storm Of protest
would probably come from the people
of the localities in question if publicity
were given to the fact that they are I'M
der consideration. 1t is intended to So
lect one Of these places and proceed to
erect the necessary buildings there do
spite objections. There will be no recon-
sideration after the decision has been
made.-New York Sun.