Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-05-23
TAKE ARMS AWAY.
1t Would Not be Safe to Leave
Weapons with Some of
the PEOPLE.

Washington, D. c., May 19.-"It is the
sheerest nonsense" said Secretary Alger
today, in commenting upon the published
story that the President or himself coun-
fernandez any order made by Gen
Brooke relative to the disarmament of
the Cuban troops.
The state of the case in brief is as fol-
lows:
The President canvassed very thor
oughly with Secretary Alger and Gen.
/ Brooke the best method of securing the
disarmament of the Cuban troops and
their re-entry into industrial life. 1t
was decided that q necessary step toward
this end was the surrender of the arms
held by the Cuban soldiers. 1t was APP
pretended, that, retaining their arms.
some, if not a large portion, inclined by
their past predatory existence, would
lapse into brigandage.
So the President himself ordered Gen.
Brooke to cause the arms Of the Cuban
soldiers to be delivered up to representa-
tives OF the United States army With
these instructions Gen. Brooke has been
patiently striving to carry out the Presi-
dents plan. He has arrived at that
point where the Cuban leaders, as mat
ter Of sentiment, they say, make it a con-
dlton of disarmament that the arms
shall be placed in the custody of the
mayors OF the Cuban towns.
Realizing that to assent to such condi-
ions would be contrary to the Presi-
dent instructions, Gen Brooke has tele-
graphed to Secretary Alger the facts in
the case and asked for decision. The
secretary in turn has communicated with
the president and asked for Instructions
for he feels that he is not authorized to
amend or revoke an order originally en-
anatlnS directly from the President That
IS the state Of the case at present. The
President has not yet notified the war de-
partment of his Intentions
Ii Is SAID at the war department that
should the Cuban leaders refuse to ac-
cept Gen. Broolles proffer, whether it is
CONDITIONED upon the surrender of arms
to United States army officers or to Gu
ban mayors, that will terminate the eff
forts OF the encouragement to come to
a satisfactory arrangement with these
leaders. For, thereupon, Cen Brooke
Will proceed to address himself directly
to the Cuban private soldiers He will
have his agents-United States army off,
cers-pay off every bona fide Cuban SOL
dler who Is willing to comply with the
conditions laid down by him. and this will
be done without further reference to any
OF the malcontent leaders. who have SO
long retarded a settlement
Goes to See President.
Hot Springs, Va, May 19.--Adjt. Gen.
Corbin arrived here today bearing some
documents upon which he desires the
Presidents action. 1t is understood that
they refer to the situation in Cuba, re-
garding the plan for the payment and
disarmament of the Cuban troops. A
question has been submitted by Gen.
Brooke as to whether or not the arms
should be turned over to the mayors of
towns or to United States officers. Gen.
Corbin was with the President only for a
few minutes before the entire presidential
party started off for d drive. Gen. Cor
bin probably will return to Washington
on the special which leaves here at 1870
O'Clock tonight.