The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-24

ger has always felt a pardonable pride Ia
the success with which the war depart
nient met the tremendous problem thrust
upon IL by the necessity with which Il was
suddenly confronted during the war with
Spain. Of suddenly iisposing Of the thou
sands Of spanish prisoners captured In
Santiago province. The history of that
time has not been fully seid. ana II re-
mained for Secretary Aiger today 10 sup
ply the need by the following rcninis-
cences:
'on the night OF July .. tsaS. the presi-
dent asked me what In my Judgment We
should do with the Spanish prisoners at
Santiago after their capture. The matter
had received very much thought from the
president and myself. but no definite con.
clnsion had been reached. then sug-
ees;ed fo tho president that Galveston.
Tex. would he the best place In the Unit
cd States la my Judgment where we could
send them: that 1t was away from tho
coast line travel, n good harhor. that there
would he plenty OF room for camping theEA,
and that its climate would be as nearly
similar 10 that or Santiago as we couii
probably select THIS seemed 10 meet his
| approval. IA IL was only a question of
time, OF course. when their capture would
| be effected. I went TO my home. as nearly
| az can remember. about o'clock N tao
i Z
1 lay awake for while. but finally dosel
| on. l awoke at dasbreak. and my frrt
| thought was concerning tbs opanish prs.
| oners, and thu new idea came into my
| head. Why not send them hack 10 npainr
| This thought so deeply impressed me thar
| formulated my plan. and on the niorninE
| Of July 10. instead Of going tn the depart
ment direct. went to the White House
and laid the new plan before the presi-
dent saying that II would he an unprccc-
aented procedure and most gracious act.
that TO transport the prisoners TO Calves
| ton would he hair the distance: that -
should have TO clothe, shelter. guard ard
feed them there, and no doubt have to
| ship them hack TO Spain In the end.
also stated that believed that II would
| be great indncefnant 10 the Spaniards to
surrender which Gen. 9hafter afterwnrd
assured me was the effect. The president
readily approved the plan. and on tho
same day I cahled Gen. Shafter a. fol-
lows:
WAR Department July TO- 1898 Gen.
| Shaster Playa del Este. Santiago: Should
| the Spaniards surrender Internationally
| and wish to return 10 Spain. they will Se
| Gent hack direct al the expense OF the
| United States government.
| tSignedl II, A. AfGER.
:" Secretary of War
Upon receiving this on the lith %
| July Gen Shafter sent the following COM
| municat.on TO the eommander-in-chief Ut
| the spanish forces:
Headquarters FIFTH Army Corps.
Camp Near Santiago de- Cuba July a. isaa
Str@Wita the largely Increased forces
which have cune Ia me. and the faci that
| have your line OF retreat sNeurely In ~
hands the time seems fittng that should
again demand af your exesjisucy the sag-
render os Santiago and ~ your excellsn-
| cy.s army am authorized 20 state that
should your exeellsncy 60 desire, the gov
| crnment ~ the United States VIII trans
| port the entire command of your exeeIeu.
| cg to snain I have tire honor 10 be- very
"'wM n SKATER.
's'Maior General Commanding.
'FTo which the commander replied:
- Santiago de Tnha. July II, txs 3frt
| have fhs nonpr 10 advise your excsElancy
that your COMMUNICATION Of this date -
received, and In reply desire Ia confirm
| that which said in my former e,mnuns-
| cation: also 10 advise you tsat I have
communicated your proposition sn fso
| xsnerai-sn-chssf. fsiteFatlng my sens.-
'naf'ss. am your fsapsessal .,ssssl se.fg,sa, ea,
:. remfnsnae9-iu-1hEef Fourth Carp. ana
| Military Governor ~ Santiago
Immediately Upon the surrender steps
we're taken "a carry oas the pledges ~ the
| tfn.fed States government fa shto tina
| spaniards hume. TIE aiartermasfar's de-
| parsmsnt Immediately advertised sgr BIDS
fa transport the prisoners 80 EpsIn, with
l istfJn companies submitted a combined
| $50. shfcf was. Tor officers tifa and fer
| enlisted men ~ per csa.ss. steamers TO hs
| a grsHsehssi fFcm Santiago within s0sty-
eight hoars ~ tseir reported arrsysl or
Aemurrage 10 Re paid az shs rare .ss 50
cFufs fpsr capita per DAY. same a.snsrrago
ta be paid " steamers Gs ssasagns.sf at
place os aehaskation BY a8srantlae %
ether cauae. Tne HgssnsN.s Trarsafiautic
| romrauyss aid was s55 per capita for Of
ncery ard ss8 for enlisted mess. with no dc
snarrsxe The Spanish esnspany's offer
WAS arrsrseG. the rafioDs for tire peiscn-
sFs we're Inspected ny rrises States
government official ant this government
| paid Tor tire transportation Of ali the pris-
onsr~ Esz.ss THE same number carried
ny fhn other COMPANIES under this t,i
would have cost the government uu7sn
Here wan tsa.sae saved 60 the Gnftsd
| States. and prossmssiy - mnea more In de-
nssrxge.
Come days after this contract vas
AWARDED the president sald 10 mo AZ I
entered the casnnet room Mr. Esrszfar-.
| wauia yoa iixr 10 ssrar soaaeshlssg favorable
ta yo9 printed In fAe New York T..n@n~
ard went on - resd the estisorf4l rosrpts-
| usssatagy 20 tire man wfi1se nasnd orisiuat.
81 the plan u Transporting the 5vanfAr1p