The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-22
PINGREE DEFENDS .ALGER,
Iasues = Statement I'm which He As.
sails Mckinley as C0wardIy
and Unmanly

DETROIT. July 2i.--Gov Pingree today
handed to the Associated Press a pre-
pared. signed interview. giving what the
governor asserts to be facts which are
absolutely reliable" bearing upon the re-
iations between Secretary Alger ana
President Mckinley with which the pub
lie Is not familiar.
At the outset the governor says:
II have no hesitation In saying that the
course pursued by the president In this
matter Is little less than cowardiy. IL
is, TO say the least. very unmaniy."
Gov. Pingree said his information did
not come from Gen. Alger. but from zone
whose knowledge of the facts cannot be
disputed"
Proceeding, he says that repeatedly
since the Eastern newspapers began their
attack upon Secretary Aiger the secre-
tary informed the president that IL these
press comments embarrassed the admins
isiration in the slightest degree he would
resign at once. but the president as often
protested smpha,ieally that he had the
utmost confidence in Secretary Aiger and
his conduct of the war department, and
that the country could not afford to lose
hts services The governor says that 81,
the time his alleged alliance with Gen
Aiser was announced. and before his dis
avowal OF interviews cr.tlcising the pres
iient had reached Washington. Gen. Al
ger told the president that upon the pres
ident's slightest insimatinn he would re-
sign. but thc president refused to enter
tain the idea for q moment.
As 20 the alleged alliance" being any
reason for asking for Gen. Ayers resig-
nation Gov rtuErep says.
Tong before ny announcement thar I
would support Gen. AtSer sor the senate,
Secretary OF State Hay, on June last,
requested Vice President Hobart 10 sn;!-
mate 70 Gen. Alswr that his resignation
would be acceptable 10 the president, ana
would relieve him from the embarrassing
attacks ct the press upon the conduct IT
The wer. Mr.. Hobart properly declined to
he a party tc such an u1maniy. not to say
eawaraIy, proceeding, and expressed his
opinion in terms decidedly vigorous
after that Gen Aiger. entirely sgnor-
ant % ihlS miserable conspiracy. several
times offered ~ end TIE attacks by sub
ms'ting his resignation. but still The prezs-
den; DID noi have the courage 70 express
himself 20 hts secretary. Gen. AISsr finally
dii hand his resignation 10 1he presiden,
to take effect January 2
The president dared nos face the general
In a manly say. and ask him "a retire ami
Saxe his reasons .ar making the rnlges.
he finally accomplished fry ludiree.sou that
which hs dared NOT "a in an open ana
frank manner himself
tsav. PsnSrSs states thas Mr. H2sart was
aaally prevailed Upon By Attorney General
rsrjggs 20 convey 90 shs secretary that ne
resignation was desired "ana gave my
ALLEGED alliance WITH the secretary as
gsesfex,"
Commenting upon the whole matter she
ssoTsrnaT s4Ys that Gen Ayers sacrifice
wss competed ny demands % New York
politicians backed BY the ~uascrupaieus
sni he&rtless press" IEa predicts tnat n
viii ~ learned THAT tire president him
self has been responsible for waa;eyer
sszstskes nave been made in conducting me
war" RE aeds:
II arr so8 or the very Szst authority
tAss Ger. slss~ made very few asyvesrs-
rsSass - osac~es during tAs war ans that
sae eH.sasri sStsrs <sAsesi alssaa~t asasir~-
~ sggssn TIE orders % the president
The governor alleges ssat more swesn,
afsacks uTon Aissr ia tae East were caused
~ rs frank declaration of opposition =,
sgsssts. and be adds
There : a decided oac- - trusts aroyr,s
;ss present administration xssh Ms-k
Hama IS Sa~ asknsw les.Sssi sing sraxsr'~
In conclusion. the governor calls upcr