Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-05-07
MINERS AND MINE
GUARDS ARE TOLD
TO GIVE UP ARMS

Washington. May 4.-Under author
tiles of the president Secretary of
War Garrison today issued a ,procia-
nation calling on the people in the
strike district of Colorado to surrender
all arms and ammunition to the United
States army officers now in charge at
the various troubled localities.
Secretary Garrison's proclamation
addressed to Major Holbrook at Trim
idad is in the most sweeping terms and
demands the disarming of not only
strikers but the mine guards. The text
of the proclamation is:
Whereas under existing condi-
tions the possession of arms and
ammunition by persons not in the
military service of the United
States ends to provoke disorder
and to excite domestic violence and
n1nderS the restoration Of normal
conditions of peace and good order,
] do, by the authority of the pres
ident of the United States call on
and direct all persons not in the
military service of the United
States who ave arms or ammu-
milton in their possession or under
their control to deliver them forth
with to the officer at the place here
in designated.
Receipts will be issued for all
arms and ammunition delivered.
The above applies to individuals,
firms, associations and corpora
tionS.''
Inc officer in command at each place
where troops are stationed is charged
TO post the proclamation.
Secretary Garrison's determination to
issue the proclamation for the surren-
DER or arms was reached after mature
delberatlon on reports from Major Hol-
brook at Trinidad. 1t was pointed out
that in directing the surrender of arr.1s
20 the army commanders at the respec-
tive stations the government assumes
an responsibility for the protection of
the property which individuals, curpor-
atlons. associations and firms hitherto
nave been guarding on their own ac-
count. Emphasis was laid on tho fact
mat the sweeping terms of the proc
lamation calling all mot in military
service of the United States" to sur
render their arms. applies only to To-
calltles where the United Sattes troops
are present.
As the trouble districts are widelv
scattered throughout Colorado no army
otlicer viii be in supreme command of
the military forces sent into the state.
Secretary Garrison will issue his or
ders directly to the officers in com
mand OF the forces in the various To-
calities.
Garrison Explains.
IN explanation of the proclamation
Secretary Garrison made the f@oJIowine
statement:
I learn from the commander in Col
orado that the use of firearms has
been widespread. In the district from
maisenpurg south. an area of about
4oO square miles, there are at least 81
mines. They are located mainly in
anSon n are very difficult to reach.
me strikers and those sympathizinp
with them have recently organized an5
dILltu omCaIVl md -.
nave a hundreds of mine guards W.
are also armed. WV
..lhe state troops in certain local
ltles have served to aggravate the
troubles. Certain stores in Walsen-
burg We're broken into by sonoe 49,.
connected with the organization ana
articles We're taken. -"
oondltions in the Canon CITY dis
Irlct are similar to those in the Walsan-
burg district.
There was, a very serious conflict
at Ludlow, where women and cbiidraa
as Well as men. were killed ana Ii. s;nea
that time the feeling has heen 800
sively bitter. eeu eAces-
The commanders in the field have
SO Tar exercised Wise judgment have
allayed alarm and with the limited MIN
bers now at their disposal ave d sLuin-
the best that is possible. os
ut is hoped that the procla n,o ~.
calling for all parties to give I'm 49,
will be cheerfully and promptly COWS
Piled with n a great source of danger
thus removed. "ns
IT'S WORSE THAN MEXICO
DECLARES JOHN p, WHITE
Scammon, Kan. May 4.-.Our nov,
in blue have gone to Mexico to con-
pei the Mexicans to salute the "Stars
and Stripes while out in Colorado
they are tearing the flag out of our