Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-07-27
WAS ALGER'S PLAN.
The Secretary Evolved Idea Of Send
ing Spanish Prisoners Home.
TO HOLD an INDIGNATION MEETING.
Plans for the Reception Of Gen. Alger Upon
His Return to His Home In Detroit,
Mich.-A Big Demonstration
on Foot.

washington, july S4.-occretaay AZ
ger has always felt pardonable pride
in the success with which the war de-
partment met the tremendous problem
thrust upon it by the necessity with
which 1t was suddenly confronted DUR
ing the war with Spain of suddenly
disposing Of the thousands Of Spanish
prisoners captured in Santiago prov
ince. The history Of that time has not
been fully told and it remained for Sec
rotary Alger yesterday to supply the
need by the following bit Of remin-
iscence:
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 received very
much thought from the president and myself,
but no definite conclusion had been reached.
then suggested to the president that Galveston
Tex would be the best place In the United States,
In my Judgment, where we could senu them'
that It was away from the coast line travel; q
good harbor; that there would be plenty OF room
for canning 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 1t was only question OF time OF
course, when their capture was Effected Invent
to my home, as nearlyas ! can remember about
| two O'Clock In the morning and, being too tired
to sleep ! lay awake for awhile, but finally
dozed off, | awoke at daybreak and my
| first thought was concerning the span
| ish prisoners and the new idea camt
into my head, 'why not send them back u
Spainy' This thought so deeply impressed INT
that formulated my plan and, on the morning
of July 10, instead of going to the department
direct went to the white house md laid tht
new plan before the president, saying that !
would be IN unprecedented procedure ana
most gracious uct; that to transport the prison
ers to Galveston would be half the distance
that we should have to clothe, shelter, guart
and feed them there and no doubt hay'
to ship them buck TO Spain in the end
also stated that ! believed that II woult
be greater inducement to the spanlards IL
surrender, which Gen. Shafter aflerward ns
sured me was the effect The president readll'
uuUrUVtu but pan tlllu WI WV sunny ""' N"N'N
Gen. Shafter as follows. SHOULD the span
iards surrender Internationally und wish 10 re
turn to Spain they will be sent back direct
the expense Of the United States government
Upon receiving this on the 18th OF July, Gen
shaftcr sent the following communication T.
the commander n-chief of the Spanish forces
"Sr With the largely increased forces While
have come to me and the fact that have you
line Of retreat securely In my hands, the tim
seems fitting that should again demand ofyou
excellency the surrender Of Santiago and you
excellencys army. | am authorized 10 stal
that, should your cxcellency so desire, the gov
eminent Of the United States will transport tn
, entire command OF your cxcelency to spain"
Immediately upon the surrender steps wel
taken to carry out the pledges Of the Unite
States government to ship the spanIards hom
TO HOLD AN INDIGNATION MEETING
Detroit, Mich, July M.-Plans fo
the reception Of Secretary Alger upo
his return to his home In this city WEI
= partially completed at a meeting hel
yesterday afternoon. Gen. Alger wi
be met by the reception committee
some point on the route from Wasl
= ington. On arrival he will be mi
= by all the marching organization
s Of the city which care to joi
$ in the demonstration. The gener
will be escorted to the city hal
Q where formal presentation to u
\ gathered crowds will be made in froI
: Of the hall by the mayor and governo
$ Then there will be a public receptie
in the corridors Of the city hall, 70
y lowed by meeting, probably in ligl
y guard armory, where opportunity II
g the expression Of sentiments OF prom
st nent citizens will be had. Gov Pil
y gree during yesterdays meeting I
. yored the idea OF holding a genuil
h Indignation meeting following IL
h public reception. Mayor Maybul
u raised the question whether such 9
: pressions would not embarrass and di
,e please Gen. Alger rather than othe
Is wise, but the governors mass meetir
I'd idea prevailed.