The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-07-28
WAS ALCER'S PLAN.
The Secretary Evolved Idea OF Send
ing Spanish Prisoners Home.

Washington, July 24.-Secretary AL
ger has always felt pardona ble pride
In the success with which the war de-
partment 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 prov
ince. The history Of that time has not
been fully told and it remained for Sec
rotary Alger yesterday to supply the
need by the following bit of remin-
iscence
On the night of July 0, 1898, the president
asked me what, in my judgment, we should 10
with the Spanish prisoners of Santiago after
their capture The matter had received very
much thought from the president and myself.
but 30 definite conclusion had been reached
then rgested to the president that Galveston.
TeNwO iid be the best place in the United States,
IN my Judgment, where we could send them:
That 10 was away from the coast line travel: a
good harbOr. that there would be plenty OF room
Tor camping them. ana thlt it's climate would
be as nearly similar to that Of santiago as we
could probably select. This seemed to meet his
approval as 1t was only question Of time Of
course when their capture was effected. went
10 my nome. a. nearly ~ / can remember. about
two O'Clock a the morning and. being too tired
TO sleep. ! lay awake for awhile but finally
dozed Of. | awoke at Glybreak and my
hrst thought was concerning the span.
lsh prisoners, and tho new idea came
INTO my head, why not send them back to
SPAIN This thought so deeply impressed me
that formulated my plan and, on the morning
OF July TO- instead of going to the department
dlFect went to the white house and laid the
new plan before the president. saying that Il
would be an unprecedented procedure and
most gracious act; that to transport the prison.
ers TO Galveston would be half the distance:
mat we should have to clothe, shelter guard
ana reed them there and no doubt have
TO ship them back to Spain in the end
L also stated that | believed that it would
be greater inducement to the Spaniards to
surrender, which Gen. Shafter afterward as
sured me was the effect The president readily
approved the plan and on the same day cabled
Gen. Shafter as follows: should the Span-
iards surrender unconditonally and wish TO re-
turn to Spain they will be sent back direct at
the expense Of the United States government"
Upon receiving tn on the nth of July, Gen
Shafter sent the following communication TO
the com mander-in- chief Of the Spanish forces;
Sir; With the largely increased forces which
have come TO me and the fact that have your
line OF retreat securely In my hands, the time
seems fitting that should again demand OF your
excel!encv the surrender OF Santiago and Of your
tXceIencys army. / am authorized to state
that should your excellency so desire, the gov
eminent Of the United States will transport the
entire command of your excelency to Spain"
Immediately upon the surrender steps were
taken to carry out the pledges of the United
States government to ship the Spaniards home.