The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-24
The General Throws Some Light on
One OF the Important Events of the
Late War with Spain.
ALSO SHOWS HE SAVED MONEY
BY GIVING THE TRANSPORTATION
CONTRACT To LOWEST BIDDER.
Preparations for Welcoming the Sec
rotary Back to Detroit-EIihu Root
to See the President To-Day.

has always felt pardonable pride in the
success with which the War Department
met the tremendous problem thrust on 1t
by the necessity with which il was con-
fronted during the war with Spain Of sud-
denly disposing of the thousands of Spanish
prisoners captured in Santiago province.
The history of that time has not been fully
told. and 1t remained for Secretary Alger
to-day to supply the need by the following
bit Of "reminiscences:
"On the night of July Q. 1893, the President
asked me what in my Judgment, we should
do with the Spanish prisoners of Santiago
after their capture. The matter had re-
dent and myself. but no definite conclusion
had been reached. / then suggested 10 the
President that Galveston, Tex. would be
the best place in the United States, in my
judgment where We could send them; that
II was away from the coast line travel;
room for camping them. and that its cli-
mate would be as nearly similar to that of
Santiago as We could probably select This
a question Of time. of course, when their
capture would be effected.
Il went to my home. as nearly as j can
remember. about 2 o'clock in the morning
and. being too tired to sleep, / lay awake
for while. but finally dozed of. / awoke
at daybreak. and my first thought was con-
idea came into my head. Why not send
them back to SPAIN This thought i'm
my plan, and on the morning OF July 10. in
stead OF going to the department direct, I
went to the White House and laid the new
plan before the President. saying that 1t
would be an unprecedented procedure and
most gracious act; that to transport the
prisoners TO Galveston would be lalf the
shelter, guard and feed them there end
no doubt have TO ship them back 20 Spain
In the end / also stated that I believed
It would be great Involvement TO the Span
fards to surrender. which General SEafter
9pr.e s.% assured me was me elect. Ire
the same day DULY 10) 1 cabed General
Shafter as follows:
:" Should the Spaniards surrender Lncon-
ditionally and wish to return 10 Spain. they
VIII be sent back direct az the expense of
the United States government
upon receiving this on he 1,ra Cay of
July. General Shlfter, in camp near SAN
tiago. sent the following communication 10
the commander-in-chief of The Spanish
'sir-with the largely-increased forces
which have come to me. and the fact that
7 have your line of retreat securely in my
hands. the time seems fitting that should
again demand of your excellency the sur
render of Santiago and of your excellencys
army. am authorized TO state that should
your excellency so desire, the government of
the United States will transport the entire
command of your excellency TO Spain
ITO which Commander Toral replied as
follows. under date of Santiago de Cuba.
"'sir-I have the honor to advise your
eminence that your communication of this
date is received and in reply desire to con-
hrm that which said In my former COM
munication; also TO advise you that have
communicated your proposition to the gen.
eral In chief
Immediately on the surrender. steps were
taken 10 carry out the pledges of the United
States government to ship the Spaniards
home The quartermaster's department i'm
mediately advertised for bids to transport
the prisoners TO Spain. with the result that
eight of the ocean transportation companies
submitted combined bid which was: For
officers. $40. and for enlisted men, SIS per
capita. steamers TO be dispatched from San
tiago de Cuba within forty-eight hours of
their reported arrival. or demurrage 10 be
paid at the rate of 90 cents per capita per
day; same demurrage 10 be paid III steamers
be detained at place OF debarka ton by quar-
antine or other cause. The Spanish Trans
atlantic Company's bid was $50 per capita
for officers and so for enlisted men. with
no demurrage. The Spanish companys offer
was accepted The rations for the prisoners
were inspected by United States govern
ment official and this government paid for
S6o- The same number carried by the other
companies. under their bid. would have cost
the government s1.3129l5. Here was $500 OO0
saved to the United States and probably as
much more In demurrage.
Some days after this contract was
awarded. the President said 10 me as I en-
tered the Cabinet room: Mr.. Secretary
would you like 20 hear something favorable
90 you printed In the New York Times?'
and went on 10 read the editorial comment
complimentary 10 the man whose mind
originated the plan OF transporting the
spaniards back to SPAIN"