Evening star., 1899-04-15
NO INTENTION TO RESIGN
Secretary Alger Puts Stop to Current
Reports.
Talks of His Tour Through Cuba
and Porto RicO-NO Reason to
Fear the Future.

Secretary of War Aiger returned last
| night from his trip to Cuba and Porto Rico,
where he spent the last three weeks making
a personal investigation of conditions on
those islands. During his trip he conferred
with the commanding officers of the Cuban
provinces visiting four provinces person.
ally. His reception everywhere was OF
the most cordial character.
Secretary Alger put an effective quietus
on the persistent reports that he contem-
plated retirement from the cabinet by
positive and unequivocal statement last
night that the reports were absolutely with
out foundation and that unless some I'M
foreseen and unlooked-for contingency
arises he proposes to remain Secretary OF
War throughout this administration. sec
retary Alger- had his attention called to
recent rumors that he would resign after
the investigation into the conduct OF the
war and. incident matters cease and that
his successor already had been determined
upon. He said all statements of that char
acter We're false; that he has not enter
tanned any such intention and that they
were instigated with the evident pur-
pose of attempting to force him to leave the
cabinet He said he purposed to pay no
attention whatever to these attacks. he
authorized the Associated Press to make an
absolute denial of the reports of his con-
templated resignation and to announce once
for ALL in the strongest terms possible, that
he would remain in his present office
throughout his regular term of office. OF
course, he added, if there should be great
disaster in his private business affairs or
he should be stricken in health or some
such wholly unexpected and sudden event
should occur it might actuate him to re-
sumo his private life as a matter of course,
but he had not any idea of resigning and
his determination to- remain, despite re-
ports to the contrary, was fixed and unal-
terable.
No Reason to Fear the Future.
In the course Of an interview in regard to
his trip Secretary Alger said in part:
The duty We have taken upon ourselves
in holding Cuba in trust for civiiZa ton is
a noble one The problems are meeting sat
isfactory solution and 1 see no reason to
fear the future None of the serious ques-
tionS which have already arisen or will
arise are insurmountable. Havana Is be-
ginning to feel the benefits of American
control, and the advance and development
will be enormous. People of the United
States must certainly realize what cleanli-
ness In Havana and other Cuban cities
means for this country and that with the
removal of insanitary conditions the
scourge of fever will not continue to men,
ace our southern states, though there will
be sporadic cases, of course. The people of
Cuba see that the United States is acting
with justice and moderation with the chief
end of improving conditions. / feel encour-
dSeu because OF the friendly 1eenng mani
Tested in my talks with leading citizens.
Il found harmony everywhere. There
are few troops now in Cuba except regulars
and the number of the latter may be re-
duced. The people respect the authority
of the United States, and a whole
law-abiding and peaceful. The army 1t
exists today, regulars and volunteers, is, l
believe, among the finest armies for its
numbers that was ever organized. This is
shown by the army in the Philippines,
where the greater portion volunteers.
and in Cuba. All have the same ration
that was furnished from the beginning of
the war, but all know now how to care for
and cook it.
Denominations in Porto Rico.
II was deeply impressed and more than
gratifed at the intense loyalty shown
toward the United States in the public
demonstrations which marked our progress
across Porto Rico. Eventually we shall
devise necessary legislation for the island,
but at present the system of combining
military control which is supreme, with
civil administration, is working admra-