New Britain herald., 1914-05-02
Decree Demands Disaming Of
 Strikers and Mine Guards. WILSON AUTHOR z{D MEASURE.
Drastic Measure Taken in Colorado in an EndcavOr to Settle Coal Strike Which Has Caused the Loss of Many Lives.

Washington May 2.-Under au- thority of the president, Secretary of AWar Garrison today issued a procla- mation calling upon the people in the strike district of Colorado to surren- ! der all arms and ammunition to the United States army officers now in charge at the various trouble local- lties
 Secretary Garrison's proclamation, addressed to Major Holbrook at Trin- idad, is in the most sweeping terms and demands the disarming of not only strikers but of the mine guards.
 Caused By Reports.
 Secretary Garrison's determination to issue the proclamation Was reached upon reports from Major Holbrook at Trinidad. It was pointed out that in directing the surrender of arms to the army commanders at the respec- tive stations the government assumes all responsibility for the protection of property which individuals, associa- tions, firms and corporations hitherto have been guarding on their own account. Emphasis was laid upon the fact that the sweeping terms of the proclamation calling all mot in military service of the United States to surrender their arms ap- plies only to localities where the United States troops are present.
 As the troubled districts are widely scattered throughout Colorado, no army officer will be in supreme com mand of the military forces sent into the state. Secretary Garrison will < Issue his orders directly to the officers In command of the forces in the va rious localities.
 Text of Proclamation.
 The text of the proclamation is:
 Whereas, under existing circum- stances the possession of arms and ammunition by persons not in the military service of the United States tends to provoke disorder and to ex- cite domestic violence and flinders the restoration of normal conditions of peace and good order I do, by the authority of the president of the United States call upon and direct all persons not in the military service of the United States who have arms pr ammunition in their possession or under their control, to deliver them { forthwith to the officer at the place herein designated. Receipts will be issued for all arms and ammunition 80 delivered. The above applies to individuals, firms, associations and corporations"
 The officer in command at each place where troops are stationed in charge to post the proclamation.
 Welborn Issues Statement.
 Denver, Col, May 2.-The procla- 1nation of Secretary Garrison calling on all persons in the strike district not in the military service of the and ammunition elicited the follow ing statement from J.. F. Welborn. president of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co. s
 'The order of Secretary Garrison to disarm both sides suits the oper- ators perfectly
 E. L. Doyle, district secretary-trea- surer of the United Mine Workers, said:
 We understand this order to mean that mine guards, detectives, militia and strikers are to be disarmed and peace maintained by United States troops. This being the case. the end. but if the militia men are to be allowed arms there is sure to be trouble since large percentage of them are in the employment of the coal companies"