The times., 1898-07-17
PRISONERS At SANTIAGO
Their Departure for Spain Viii
BE HaStened.
NAY BE CGNVOYED BY WAT ON
Ii Is Stated That the Eastern squad
ron May Accompany the Trans
The Officers md Enlisted Men
VIII BE Carried in Separate Ships.

The Government will hasten the de-
parture of the Spanish prisoners at San
tiago. They viii not be allowed to re-
main in Cuba a day longer than is alb
solutely necessary.
Secretary Alger made the statement to
a reporter for The Times last night that
advertisements will be issued tomorrow
for proposals for Transporting the Span
iards He said that just as soon as the
ships can be secured the surrendered
troops VIII be put aboard them and
shipped home
Col. Heckner, OF the War Department,
has had charge of the arrangements for
the transportation of the prisoners. He
wrote his advertisement two days ago.
II is understood that there are 24.O0)
troops, including 1000 officers. The trans
portation. according to the Enal decision
Of President Mckinley last night, will
not include the arms Of the troops. They
viii be allowed to take only their cloth
ing and personal effects with them.
The shipping of the Spanish army to
the Peninsula is a tremendous undertake
ing 1t has many difficulties and under
the most favorable conditions will cost
America a large sum of money The
problem has brought together at inter-
walls for conferences officials in various
departments, among them Mr. Meikle-
john. Assistant Secretary of War; Secre-
tary Alger Surgeon General Sternberg.
Commissary General Eagan, Adjutant
General Corbin and CoL..-5i J. Heckner,
chief of the Bureau of Transportation.
President Mckinley has been kept in
-
1t has been decided that Z possible only
neutral SHIPS will be U;iTIed. 1t IS not
known II this Is stipulated In the terms
| agreed upon o1tween the commissioners.
but II Is known that the SpaE-ards de-
sire IL. The War DepauEneEt also wishes
to use foreign ships for several reasons.
The only dlfiSu,ty likely, to intervene TO
prevent this plan is that Of foreign ship
owners not caring to take the contract
on account Of the yellow fever known TO
be prevalent in Santiago. It is believed,
however that the ships can be secured
without much delay.
Surg. Sen. SterDberg says that of
course, not one of these prisoners sick or
threatened with fever would be allow
ed to go aboard the transports. Though
not admitted by Gen. Sternberg it was
feared in some quarters that yellow fever
might break out among the prisoners af-
, So
ever, viii enforce in this case the same
system of scientific isolation that is ap-
! piled 10 the United States troops
Another point considered was as to
! who should feed the men. 1t was at first
suggested that this contract be turned
over to the steamship companies. but it
| was decided that no risks should be TAX
| en- of having the prisoners half fed; that
I it would not be worthy o. this nation
| and that this Government must under
! take the problem of rations.
A printed formula of the Cuban ra-
| ton is on the desks of those in charge of
/ this matter, and the calculation now is 70
! furnish to the commissary of each trans
| port rations for 500 men daily for fifteen
/ days This is the basis now of the food
solution, and Col HeGkner. before giving
out the proposals, is, with the co-opera-
/ ton and counsel of Gen. Eagan, first ad-
| dressing himself 10 this part of the prob
lem.
1t is the present intention to ship the
/ officers on different steamers, giving
| them cabin accommodations. The enlist
| ed men viii he given steerage passage.
! and the government rules and regula-
| tions as TO space and air governing steer
sge passengers viii be observed.
1t may be stated, on excellent author
| ity. that Commodore Watson's squadron
| wiz convoy the feet of transports to
| Cadiz. The final decision in this matter
| has not been reached. The Eastern
| squadron will be ready to sail for Spain
! before the tranports can be secured. but
/ a short wait will not interfere with Com.
m0dore Watson's program.