Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-05-25
ASKS FOR ORDERS.
Request About surrendering Arms Re-
ferred to the President.


ferred to the President.
WASHINGTON, May 20.-"It is the
sheerest nonsense" said Secretary All
ger yesterday, in commenting upon
the published story that the president
or himself had countermanded any
order made by General Brooke rela-
tive to the disarmament of the Cuban
troops.
The state OF the case. in brief, is as
follows: The president canvassei
very thoroughly with Secretary Alger
and General Brooke the best method
of securing the disbandment of the
Cuban troops and their re-entry into
industrial life. 1t was decided that
necessary step toward this end was
the surrender of the arms held by the
Cuban soldiers. 1t was apprehended,
that retaining their arms, some, IL not
a large portion, inclined by their last
predatory existence, would lapse into
brigandage. So the president himself
ordered General Brooke to cause the
arms Of the Cuban soldiers to be de-
livered up to representatives of the
United States army: With these in
structions General Brooke has been
patiently striving to carry out the
presidents plan. He has arrived at
that point where the Cuban leaders, as
matter of sentiment, they say, make
1t condition of disarmament that the
arms shall be placed in the custody Of
the mayors of the Cuban towns Rea
lizing that to assent to such conditions
would be contrary to the presidents
instructions, General Brooke has tele.
graphed to Secretary Alger the facts
in the case and asked for a decision.
The secretary in turn has COMMUNE
Gated with the president and asked for
instructions, for he feels that he is not
authorized to amend or revoke an or.
der originally emanating directly
from the president. That is the state
Of the case at present. The president
has not yet notified the War depart
ment of his intentions.
1t is said at the War department
that should the Cuban leaders refuse
to accept General Brooke's prefer,
whether it is conditioned upon the
surrender of arms to the United States
army officers or TO Cuban mayors. that
will terminate the efforts of the gov
ernor general to come to a satisfac-
tory arrangement with these leaders.
For, thereupon, General Brooke will
proceed to address himself directly to
the Cuban private soldiers. He will
have his agents-United States army
officers-pay off every bona fide Cuban
soldier who is willing to comply with
the conditions laid down by him and
this will be done without further res.
erence to any of the malcontent lead
ers. who have so long retarded settle.
ment.
HOT SPRINGS. Va. May 2O.-Adju-
tant General Corbin arrived here yes
terday bearing some documents upon
which he desires the presidents ac-
ton. 1t is understood that they refer
10 the situation in Cuba regarding the
plan for the payment and disarma-
ment of the Cuban troops. A question
has been submitted by General Brooke
as to whether or not the arms should
be turned over to the mayors OF
towns or to United States officers.
General Corbin was with the presi lent
only for few minutes before the en-.
tire presidential party started off for
drive. General Corbin probably will
return to Washington on the SPECIAL
which leaves here at 1890 O'Clock to-
night