The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-07-25
A WELCOME TO ALGER
Plans Made For the Reception
In Detroit.
AN INDIGNATION MEETING PLANNED
Pingree Had His Way, and One Is
Scheduied-Alger Issued n Statement
Showing lie Originated Plan TO Return
Prisoners to Spain.

DETROIT, July 24.-Plans for the re-
ception of Secretary Alger upon his re-
turn to his home city, which were par
TALLY completed at meeting held here,
provide that General Alger will be met
by the reception committee at some
point enroute from Washington. On
arrival he will be met by all the march
ing organizations of the city which care
to join in the demonstration. The gen.
eral will be escorted to the City hall,
where a formal presentation to the
gathered crowds Will be made in front
of the hall by the mayor and governor.
Then there will be public reception
in the corridor of the City hall, followed
by meeting, probably in Light Guard
armory, where opportunity for the ex-
preston of the sentiments of prominent
citizens will be had.
Governor Pingree, during the meet.
ing. favored the idea of holding gen.
uine Indignation" meeting following
the public reception. Mayor Maybury
raised the question whether such ex-
pressions would not embarrass aud dis
please General Alger rather than other
wise, but the governors massmeeting
idea prevailed.
WASHINGTON, July "a. Secretary
Alger always felt pardonable pride in
the success with which the war depart
ment met the tremendous problem
thrust upon it by the necessity with
which it was suddenly confronted dur
ing the war with Spain of suddenly
disposing of the thousands of Spanish
prisoners captured in Santiago province.
The history of that time had not been
tt1ll y fF,lH ,,f, ,nI fn,.
tary Alger to supply the need by "a bit
of reminiscence.
He said that on the night of July 8,
1898, the president asked him what in
his Judgment should be done with the
Spanish prisoners, after their capture,
this being before their capture occurred.
He suggested Galveston, and the presi-
dent concurred. When he awoke the
next morning the idea occurred TO him
to send them back to Spain. He further
said IN part that he event to the White
House and laid the new plan before the
president, saying that it would be an
unprecedented procedure, and most
gracious act; that to ship the prisoners
to Galveston would be halt the distance;
that we should have to clothe, shelter,
guard and feed them there, and no
doubt have to ship them back to Spain
i'll the end. also stated that l believed
that it would be great inducement to
the Spaniards to surrender, which Gen
eral Shafter afteward assured me was
the effect"
The president readily approved the
plan, and on the same day he cabled
General Shafter.
Then follows some of the official cor
respondence with General Shafter and
some of his correspondence with the
Spanish general.
Then he told Of the advertising and
acceptance Of the bids of a Spanish COM
pany, which made a-lower rate than the
other companies, and no demurFage,
which the other companies wanted. He
further said:
"The rations for the prisoners were
inspected by United States govern
ment official, and this government paid
paid for the transportation of all the
prisoners, $jl3,S60. the same number
carried by the other companies under
their bid would have cost the govern
ment $l.312,9l5. Here was $500, 900 |
saved to the United States, and proba-
bly, as much more in demurrage.
'Some days after this contract was
awarded the president said to me as l |
entered the cabinet room: MIR. Secre- |
tary, would you like to hear something |
favorable to you printed i'll the New |
Iork lines" and went on to read the |
editorial comment complimentary TO |
the man whose mind originated the |
plan OF transporting the Spaniards back |
TO Spain"