The times., 1898-09-07
A TIMELY WARNING.

No arraignment of the War Department
sufferings of our soldiers through inef-
ficiency and neglect has been more direct
and positive than that of the ablest
and most influential of New England
newspapers, the Providence Journal II
is safe to say that it's prime motive. next
to sympathy for the soldiers and indigna-
tion toward the criminals, is to save the
President and his party from the conse-
quences of the present policy of shielding
the guilty. The Journal foresees. as a
result of this policy, that We may have
a political issue in the Congressional
elections that will deeply interest
everybody, and which. If made the
most of by the opponents of the
Mckinley Administration, may be made TO
bring about great changes in Washing
ton. 1t is the issue presented by the gross
mismanagement of the War Department
that has condemned thousands of our
brave soldiers to utterly needless suffer
ing and even TO inglorious death from dis
ease ard starvation
1t is apparent that this prominent Re
publican newspaper does not think the
Hanna policy can win for it continues:
There is no question that the Ameri-
can people feel keenly on this subject.
that they are ready, as soon as the re-
sponsibilty is fully and definitely de-
termined. to throw the whole weight of
their combined rebuke upon the guilty
persons and to mete out to them the
severeSt penalty that il is practicable
for them to inffict.''
1t notes the disposition OF the Demo-
Gratis to make use of this just issue, and
it does not deny the ptriotism that in
spires such a course. Quoting the words
of condemnation uttered by the New
Hampshire Democrats. it says: These
are strong words, but no stronger than
the circumstances warrant" 1t is sure
that such arraignment of the War De-
partment will be heartily approved by
the great majority of the American peo-
ple."
1t does not believe the President him
self can escape If he continues to shield
the guilty, for il concludes with these
words: Indeed, nothing but the blind
ness and prejudice of parfisanship can
be expected to prevent the anger of the
people from falling with full force on
the Administration and its head through
the party il represents. There is no in
justice in making the President share
with his Secretary the responsibility for
the pitiful state of things which private
charity is now trying 10 alleviate. He
is the real head of the War Depart
| ment, as of every department, Secretary
Alger being merely his agent and ap-
pointee. He was told when he selected
this man, and no doubt knew perfectly
Well himself, that he was not fit for the
place even in times of peace, and that
If war should come he would be an utter
failure. Yet, for political reasons, he
appointed him. Why should he not now
be held responsible for the consequences
Moreover, ne has had ample opportunity
| to watch, at the closest range, ali that
! Alger has been doing in preparing for
| the war, during its progress and since
| its close. His failure to Interfere
amounts to Endorsement of the Secre-
| tary's conduct He has no right to hope
| to escape his share of the terrible re-
| sponsibility for the sick, dying and dead
| soldiers who, but for the gross incom-
retence of his agents and subordinates.
would today be healthy and happy he
roes, ready for further service on the
| field whenever called upon