Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-05-06
he SPEAKS TO STRIKERS
TELLS COLORADO COAL pIcoERs
THEY WILL BE UNFRAMED
If THEY SURRENDER
WILL PLAY NO fAvORITEs
OPERATORS AND CIVIL OFFICERS
MUST GIVE UP THEIR ARMS
LIKE UNION MEMBERS

| ITluluhu, OUlO., Mdy U. I1dl hCStlJ
pleading with heterogeneous grouI
Of nationalities, only small percent
age of whom could understand his
sharply spoken English words, Major
w. Holbrook, of the Fifth United
States cavalry urged 200 strikers in
mass meeting at Camp San Rafael
TO deliver over their arms and ammu-
nition to the United States authori-
ties. And after he had done sne group
disintegrated and prepared to allotted
portions of the camp where they
heard interpreters repeat. in some
form, the remarks of Major Holbrook.
Even Police Are Disarmed
The matter of disarmament, 1t was
announced by William Diamond, union
leader would not be put to refer
endum vote of the miners, but would
be left to the inclination of the indi-
vidual striker, who, he declared, own
ed the weapons in his possession.
Major Holbrook informed the strikers
that the proclamation for disarma-
ment included everybody except those
ir actual service of the United States.
'fGe,said- even the sheriff aud pelice Of
Trinidad would not be allowed to car
ny weapons of any sort.
Major Holbrook, speaking for
Colonel James Lockett, in command
of the troops on the section of Color
ado, promised the strikers that the
mine guards would be disarmed first
of all, within the next two to three
days, and then the United States
would call upon strikers to give up
their arms. Upon mention of disarm-
ament of the mine guards, the strik-
ers, led by English speaking ones, ap-
plauded vigorously and began to pay
closer attention to the major.
Take their damned machine guns
first" was the cry from the strikers.
Bareheaded dressed in his khaki
uniform and supported by his staff,
Major Holbrook made every effort to
drive his remarks home to the strik-
ers. He spoke of the power of the
United States, and its beneficence. or
those to whom he spoke. probably one
third were citizens of. the nation.
Will Fight to the Last
"When the United States speaks,
he said, sit is matter of serious
moment. The president of the United
States must be obeyed; we have sol
diers and officers here to see that his
command is obeyed We do not want
to, nor do we intend to shoot you
men. Killing is terrible thing, but
If we must do it, then we will. We
must have order. 1t makes no differ
eDce whether you wipe Colonel Lock,
ett and me out, others will come to
take our places.
"Thereis no country in the world
that can obtain a larger army than the
United States, though its regular
standing army is small. And dare
say that upon a call from the presi-
dent, there would be no men quicker
than you to answer that call to duty.
Now. the president has called, and it
is your duty to repair to your respec-
tive abodes in peace and good order
Every man among you who was not
working in the mines at Trinidad
when the strike came is not living at
his abode. and he should leave at
once" 80
Upon this remark the strikers cheer
ed Justify, but from whispered com
ments it was learned that they con-
sidered the remark more applicable to
the foreign mine guards, imported,
they said. from West Virginia and
other states, than to the strikers them
selves.
we are going TO deal with you men
In as kindly way as we know how"
continued the major We have Moth
ing to do with the operators and we