The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-28
They Say Alger Did 1t.


currency is given to the story
that he was the inventor of the
plan by the terms of which the Spanish
soldiers, whipped in our war with
| Cuba, were returned at the expense of
the United States to the native land Of
the dons. 1t appears that Mr.. Alger
| did not take out letters patent on this
device; in a general way, the idea of
| returning these soldiers was accepted
| by the public as an incident in Presi-
| dent McKinley's war policy; there was
no inquiry as to the original source of
the suggestion.
In fact, Mr. Alger would have hard
| work in an attempt to prove to the sat
isfacton of jury that he discovered
the policy that was adopted with refer
ence to the defeated Spaniards. An ex-
| act date for the alleged discovery is not
given; it is within the memory of the
public, however. that long before the
announcement of the administrations
policy in this respect, scores of news
papers had suggested that we send the
Spaniards home, that we demand no in
demnity and that, in all things relat-
ing to the winding up of the war; the
United States display a magnanimous
spirit in dealing with a weak and fallen
foe. Precedents were widely quoted.
General Grants manly course was
pointed ito with pride; the policy adopt
ed by our government in dealing with
several of the confederate leaders was
men toned as illustrative of the course
we ought to pursue toward Spain.
When the presidents programme was
antly, as If prepared for it.
However, in this matter there is a
distinct claim set up for Alger. Par
ticulars are given. 1t appears that
General Alger thought this thing out in
the watches of the night. The recital
of the way in which it all came about
is well worth printing-here is the Chi
cago Inter Oceans version: When it
became evident, little more than a year
ago, that Santiago would fall into our
hands, the question of what to do with
the prisoners taken at the surrender
was discussed between President Nc
Kinley and Secretary Alger. Neither
had any thought of making new de-
parture. They considered different To-
calities for prison camp. Galveston
was finally agreed upon. But during
the night the idea entered General AL
gers head of sending the prisoners
straight back to Spain, and that at the
Of
was a perfectly original idea, and was
highly creditable both to his head and
his heart.
There was no danger that those SOL
diers would ever again be employed
against the United States, and 1t would
be both cheaper and more humane to
send them straight home. The plan
was laid before the president at once,
and he had the good sense to grasp and
approve it. That settled the matter
General Shafter was authorized to let
the Spanish general in command know
what would be done with the prison.
ers, which he did. Evidently the an
nouncement had good effect, and con-
tributed not little to the prompt sur
render
Mark the fine irony-"the president
had the good sense to grasp and ap-
prove this plan" The Chicago Inter
Ocean is a republican organ. So is the
Chicago Times Herald. Yet the Times
Herald would never have put in that
way the presidents relations to this
historic benevolence-there are republi-
can organs and other republican or
gans; some of them are for the presi-
dent and some of them are for Alger,
and the line of demarkation is getting
more and more distinct.
1t is neither here nor there, SO far as
the public is concerned. If there is
glory in it for a war secretary whose
record otherwise is without an element
of excellence. let it go at that. The
comical side of the incident is wherein
the Algerites propose to do what they
can to take the shine off OF President
McKinley's halo.