Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-26
ALGER OPENS On M'K|NLEY..
SnatcheS From the Executive Brow the
Wars Greanest Laurel.
SHIELDED SPANISH PRISONERS.
RETIRING SECRETARY ALGER
SAYS THAT HE, AND NOT THE
PRESIDENT, ORIGINATED AND
CARRIED OUT FAMOUS BEN
EVOLENT PROJECT.

SA1lIllED wi oL<~N
EvOLENT PROJECT.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 25.-The
wal between General Alger and Presi-
dent Mckinley, who has forced the
former to resign from the Cabinet in
disrepute, has been opened by the Sec
rotary with a vengeance.
General Alger has not waited for the
green grass of reconciliation to grow
under his weary feet. This was as
good a day as any,, he thought, on
which TO fire the opening u at the
White House author of The Scape-
goat" with up-to-date applications.
In accordance with this new plan of
campaign, General Alger to-day took
careful aim, by deputy here in Wash
ington, to shoot away the preotiest bit
OF hero's laurel wreath that had been
woven into an especial crown for the
Executive brow. Picked 10 pieces for
exhibition purposes, the shot which
General Alger has fired might well
have been analysed by the distinguish
ed marksman himself, thus:
DRAWING HIS COMPARISON.
1.-THE American people shall see who
is the greater and more benevolent
man-William Mckinley or l. The
world has accorded TO him the honor.
the nobility Of originating the humane
plan under which our Spanish prison
ers were treated and disposed OF. All
C~hristendom has said: Whoever
heard OF another act in war SO clearly
setting forth the divine injunction.
Love your enemies?' And civilized
nations have accorded the need of
praise for this policy to William Nc
Kinley. But l was the author and ex-
ecutor OF the benign project. We
shall see Of what stuff ~scapegoats are
madei"
Entirely waving the privilege Of
such q timely reverie in public. how
ever, and hesEtating to disclose his fur
Their plan OF aggressive campaign, al
ready being shaped up by his friends in
Michigan, General Alger did say IN the
statement which he gave out for pub
lication to-day:
TELLS THE STORY TO THE
WORLD.
On the night of July 8. 1898. the
President asked me what. in my judg-
ment, we should do with the Spanish
prisoners OF Santiago after their cap
ture. The matter had received very
much thought from the President and
myself, but no definite conclusion had
been reached.
Next morning awoke at daybreak.
and my first thought was concerning
the Spanish prisoners, and the new
idea came into my head: Why not
send them back 10 Spain?'
This thought impressed me so deep
~ that l formulated my plan, and on
the morning of July 10, instead Of
going TO the department direct, l went
10 the White House and laid the new
plan before the President, saying that
it would be an unprecedented proceed
ure and a most gracious act; that to
ship the prisoners TO Galveston would
be half the distance; that we should
have TO clothe, shelter, guatd and feed
them there, and no doubt have 10 ship
them back 10 Spain in the end.
INDUCED THEM TO SURRENDER
Il also stated that | believed il
would be a great inducement to the
Spaniards TO surrender, which General
Shafter afterward assured me was the
effect.
"The President readily approved the
L. - - -En 49, 1n- aahTaA
General Shafter, saying:
Should the Spaniards surrender
Internationally and wish 10 return 10
the expense OF the United States gov
eminent
Here the Official correspondence between
secretary Alger. General Shafter and Cen
eraI Toral, the Spanish commander az San
tiago, is reproduced, bearing out General
Ayers statement, and ne thea continues:
Immediately upon the surrender steps
were taken TO carry cut the pledges OF
the United States government 10 ship the
spaniards home
He then tells how, TO make sure OF the
most humane and effective means OF trans
portation for the Spanish prisoners. he
contracted with the Spanish Transatlantic
Company for the undertaking. al a total
cost Of s5ls.ssa while the same service, II
performed By the bidders OF other ration
aiities, would have cost s.3l2si5- Here"
says the retiring Secretary OF War, was
Hs9.ao9 saved 10 the United States, and
probably as much more in denurrage."
SAYS MCKINLEY ADMITTED IT.
Then Gen Alger concludes his interest
ing statement by showing that President
Mckinley himself privately accorded Rim
the honor OF originating and carrying out
this plan that brought the President world
wide fame General Alser says:
Some after this contract was
awarded tie President said to me as
entered the Cabinet room: Mr.. Secretary
would y0u Ike to hear me hing favorable
10 SOU printed in the New York TI-nes2"
and went on 10 read the editorial comment.
complimentary 10 the man whose mind
originated the plan Of transporting the
SPanLsrds hack 10 Spain