The record-union., 1899-07-24
As TO the Disposal Of Thousands Of Pris-
oners Captured in Cuba.
The Thought Came to Him After q
Night Of Restless Sleep That to
Return Them to Spain Directly
Would Not Only be a Great
Saving in Expense, but an In
ducement for the Belligerents
to Lay Down Their Arms.

WASHINGTON. July 23.-Secretary
Alger has always felt a pardonable
pride in the success with which the
War Department met the tremendous
problem thrust upon it by the necessity
with which it was suddenly confronted
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 it re-
manned for Secretary Alger to-day to
supply the need by the following bit
of "reminiscences:
ION the night of July 9, 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. I then suggested to the
President that Galveston. Tex, would
be the best place in the United States.
in my judgment, where we could send
them; that it was away from the coast
line travel, and good harbor; that
there would be plenty of room for
camping them, and that it's climate
would be as nearly similar to that Of
Santiago as we could probably select.
This seemed to meet his approval, as
it was only a question of time, of
course, when their capture would be
effected. I went to my home, as near
ly as I can remember, about 2 o'clock
in the morning, and being unable to
sleep I lay awake, but finally dozed
away. I awoke at daylight, and my
first thought was concerning the Span
ish prisoners, and the new idea came
into my head, Why not send them
back to Spain?' This thought so deeply
impressed me that I formula ted my
plan, and on the morning of July 10th.
instead of going to the department di-
rect, I went to the White House and
laid the new plan before the Presi-
dent, saying that it would be an un-
precedented procedure and most gra-
cious act; that to transport the pris-
oners to Galveston would be half the
distance; that we should have to
clothe, shelter, guard and feed them
there, and no doubt have to ship them
back to Spain in the end. I also stated
that I believed that it would be 2 great
inducement to the Spaniards to sur
render, which General Shafter after
ward assured me was the effect. The
President readily approved the plan,
and on the same day 1 cabled General
Shafter as follows:
"'War Department, July 10, 1885
General Shafter, Playa del Este, Santi-
ago, Cuba: Should the Spaniards sur
render Internationally and wish to re-
turn to Spain, they will be sent back
direct at the expense Of the United
States Government.
".R A. ALGER,
Secretary of War
upon receiving this on the 11th of
July, General Shafter sent the follow
ing communication to the commander
in-chief of the Spanish forces:
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
Camp Near Santiago de Cuba, July IL,
1S9S-Sir: With the largely increased
forces which have. come to me, and
the fact that. have. your line of re-
treat securely in my shands, the time
seems fitting that /. should again de-
mand of your excellency the surrender
of Santiago and Of your excellency's
army I 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. ~ :
"I have the honor to be, very re-
spectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM r. SKATER,
Major General Commanding.
''To which the commander replied
Santiago de Cuba, July IL, 1888
Sir: I have the honor to advise your
excellency that your communication of
this date is received, and in reply de-
sire to confirm that which said in
my former communication; also to ad-
wise you that 1 have communicated
your proposition to the General in chief.
,Reiterating my sentiments, 1 am,
YOUR respectful servant,
"'JOSE TORAL,
.Commander-in- Fourth Corps
and Military Governor of Santiago
Immediately upon the surrender
steps were taken to carry out the
pledges of the United States Govern
ment for the shipment of the Span
iards home. The Quartermasters De-
partment Immediately advertised for
bids to transport the prisoners to
Spain, with the result that eight of
the ocean transportation companies
submitted combined bids which was,
for officers $40 and for enlisted men
$50 per capita, steamer to be dis
patched from Santiago de Cuba within
forty-eight hours of their reported ar
rival, or demurrage to be paid if steam
er should be detained at place of de-
barkation by quarantine or other
cause. The Spanish Transatlantic Com
pany's bid was 500 per capita for off,
GERS and $50 for enlisted men, with no
demurrage. The Spanish companys
offer was accepted. the rations for the
prisoners were inspected by a United
States Government official, and this
Government paid for the transporta
tion of all the prisoners $513, 800. The
same number carried by the other com
panies under their bid would have eos.
the Government $1,312,915. Here was
100000 saved to the United States,
and probably as much more in demur-
rage.