The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-13

newspaper men, anxious to ascertain some
thing official concerning the publication.
The Admiral said positively that there was
nothing in the Navy Department confirming the
story, and he doubted its truth. 1t is possible
however, that report of this nature may have
gone direct to Secretary Chandler, in New
Hampshire, as numerous documents are for
warded to him without examination. Some
persons express the opinion, quietly, that there
is something in the story, and say it is begin
ming to be known that the Greedy party was not
as harmonious as has been generally supposed,
and that there is a story connected with the sex-
pedition which it was intended to conceal. but
must now come out in the same way the history,
of the Jeannette's unfortunate cruise came
to the knowledge of the public The acting Sec
retary of the Navy instructed the commandant
of the navy-yard at New York to receive from
Commander Schley the relics of the Greedy ex-
pedition recovered when the party was rescued,
and turn them over to Lieutenant Buckingham,
by whom they will be transferred to the Louis
vile exposition.
The Times story was shown to General Hazen,
who, at first was very non-committal, but
finally, with decided emphasis. he said there
were certain facts connected with the matter
he was not at liberty to mention. 1t is very
probable, though he did not say so officially,
that they will be made the subject of con-
gressional investigation next winter. The story
contains some inaccuracy, notably that in which
reference is made to devouring the amputated
limbs of those who suffered loss of legs and arms
in order to preserve their lives. General Hazen
|
that young Henry had been shot and his body
eaten THAT is subject he replied. upon
which must decline to be interviewed.
Is the report that Captain Schley called you
and Secretary Chandler into the vessels cabin
and informed you that the survivors had eaten
their associates, falsel was asked"
That story was untrue
There is no truth, then, in the remainder Of
the published stories that they were eatenl"
II will not say they are not true; have but
RaSuallV AZ tha nh had str
than at those portions which deny.
did you. hear any rumors, while at Ports
mouth, that the dead men had been eaten?a
There were rumors of that kind afloat. My
official position would not permit me to give facts
in the case.n
"There are facts, thenp
~ can't answer that had long interview
wit Lieutenant Greedy but the subject of eating
the bodies was not referred to. can imagine
case where cannibalism would be justifable, and
it would be case where men are starving"
do you excuse cannibalism in the Greedy
casels
Under the circumstances it would be excus-
able"
Has Secretary Chandler received any report
relative to this subiect2"
mot that / know Of have received noner
is the report that private Henry was shot and
afterward eaten, falseQp
There were rumors at Portsmouth that he had
been killed and the survivors had eaten his body,
but decline to give any facts in his case that
might Know.
'Wlll the shooting be the subject of investiga-
ton by the War Department."
Not necessarily. Men are shot every day in
mutines and no investigation made. Under
some circumstances it might be proper
will there be any investigation of thereported
eating Of bodiesf
An investigation could not be made either by
the War or Navy Departments. That is a mat
ter Congress will have to look into; then all facts
will be presented, and until then nothing will be
given out"
General Hazen says Lieutenant Greely's re-
port on the entire expedition win probably be
forwarded to him within month. While it is
generally conceded that there are no records in
Washington to substantiate the story both
army and navy officers, among themselves, did
not view it as an impossibility by any means.
SAID naval officer in the corridor of the Navy
Department: While there is no reason know
of for believing the story, the fact that there
are no records to substantiate it does not dis
pose of it at all look at it as true. Is there
anything improbable about itq You and /,
standing here with all comforts about us, look
upon such matter with dread and horror But
you must remember that those men were re
duced to such condition that their moral faeul-
ties were blunted. They should not be consid-
dred in fact, responsible agents Self-preserva-
tion was their only thought, and they could not
be expected to moralize upon it"