The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-11
duMONT'S RETURN
REFUSES TO DISCUSS BIRMINGHAM
 MILITARY SITUATION.
VIII Not Admit He. is Home Because He Declines Responsibility of Men Being Under Major
 ThuRafom.


 Mobile, Aug. I0--(Special)--one of the chief topics of conversation in pub lie resorts of this city Is the matter of Col du Mont's return to Mobile and the cause thereof. Added to this Is the knowledge of the fact that Captains White and Van Lieu have also return ed. These men constitute the entire subsidiary department of the Forts Regiment and as such are held respon- of the command.
 These officers are loath to speak of conditions that prevail in Birmingham. and as an actual fact compliment the mine owners on the way the men are being fed and quaftered. At the same time there is evidenced some bitterness on their part as to the way in which Governor Conner Is handling the mill tary situation in the district, where the men are on strike.
 The point among military people seems to be that while the mine opera tors may give the men of the First good quarters and rations sufficient for them, yet there is no one who can be held directly responsible for their care. This assertion also pertains to the cleanliness of the men.
 Col du Mont is here. He declines most positively to discuss the situa- ton. He will not admit that he has come home because he declines the responsibility of the men being under the orders of Major Thurston. He is military man enough to know that any statement he might make would be out Of season There are, however, men enough here who know just what is the real military possibility in Birm- ingham and these men do not hesitate in saying that the story printed in this mornings edition of The Montgomery Advertiser Is absolutely corract. Ihey go further than this and assert that when the men of the 1st Regiment re- turn to their homes. they will have some startling disclosures to maze as to the way Governor Conner has handled the military situation in r3irm- ingham. srF7
 duBIenf Enterytewed,
 Colonel duMont was particularly in- oepsed today when he read The Ad- y.,ertiser yer, story which told of the fric- regarding the placing of Major Thurs- ton In command of the troops in Birra- lngham. He declared that there was no friction; and attempted to prove fant Ss AoveFtiser story was not based on
 When he was confronted with tba evidence that The Advertiser corre- ncers and n1eV that were under him. he changed his tdne and went back to piatitudes 70 explain shtsF position. He ative that he would be quoted ques- ton for question and answer for an- sWsr and this Is what followed:
 whS tSsre was aas fS Es sn ySa dnosI in Mobile command In Birmingham9"
 ..Ak Ask the GoYsrnor." he replied. dorV Why arDl Is It 1t that your entire. subsi- and the men are left to the mercy of the mine operators, not only for a place to sleep but for their meals?"
 Again the Colonel replied. Ask the Governor.
 Whatever may be the coloners ex- planation of the situation or whatever excuses may be sent from the Cover nor's headquarters. the fact remains just. the same, that men, whose sons are in the strike district. are wonder ing just who is responsible for their care. It is reported late tonight that the Governor decided to put Col. du Mont in charge of the situation.
 The colonei's statement given out at 1o:45 o'clock tonight follows Col. du Mont heard from Governor Conner regarding the numerous newspaper comments regarding the reason of his return to Mobile.
 He is now at liberty to state that there has never been any friction be- tween the Governor and himself. or with Major Thurston. U S. A, retired, now on duty with the Alabama National Guard, nor has any resignation been contemplated at this critical time. When ordered not to discuss these serious matters. 1t is mandatory to obey the commander in chief. and not to embarrass him by disobedience to an explicit order"
 The Governor has wisely withstood the clamor for a course of action at present not to the best interests of Alabama. Surely no officer could fan him in this emergency. Evidently the newspapers have been given incorrect or misleading information by un- authorized persons"