Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-22

In the matter of an investigation of the
conduct of the war by committee appoint
ed by the President three things are rea-
sonabIy well established:
% There is ground sufficient to justify
the proceeding. Allowing for partisan at
tacks on the administration designed to in
fuence the congressional elections and for
personal rancOrs and rivalries here and
there designed to even up old scores. there
Yet remains complaint enough about the
treatment of the soldiers in camp here at
home. in the field in Cuba and afoat in
Transports on the sea to warrant such an
inquiry as has been ordered. The people
are entitled to all the facts. Now while
the whole story is fresh is the time to Sc
cure the facts. We know that the war
found us unprepared land. We know
that in the nature of things commissions Of
Importance were and had to be issued TO
men without military training. An emer-
gency was at hand and it had to be met.
II was met. Where did the breakdown
occur? Whose was the fault? What
is the remedy to provide in case of
another war soon against a repetition
of such history? How much red tape
may be and should be clipped for the bet
ternent of the War Department system
of business? Public sentiment is aroused
on this subject, and an inquiry is the only
proper means of reply.
90 The President is entirely sincere in
his desires and purposes. He will. so far
in him lies. clear and smoOthe the way
for an intelligent, impartial and business
like inquiry into the whole matter. 1t is
easy to attack him for partisan ends.
Anybody may declare. with partisanship OF
sensationalism in view, that he is slyly ar
U RlIt 10 re-
mains that his character and courage are
above reproach. and the men to whom he
is iHtrustinS the business strengthen the
claim upon the public mind that all will
be done fearlessly. honestly and in order.
60 The commissioners selected for the
work are men Of the best kind of public and
private credit. They have had large cx-
perience in public and important private
affairs, Several of them saw hard service
IN the civil war. II is not necessary to re-
fer 70 their politics. for none of them
would have undertaken the work as par
u>auS, but. as a matter of fact. republic
cans. democrats and Independents Will gath
er at the council table. Their Instructions
Will leave them with the widest latitude Of
action. and with the Presidents earnestly
expressed hope that they will go 10 the
bottom OF everything brought within the
scope of their endeavOrs. Any refusal to
testify on the part of any official or private
individual. or any attempt TO baIk III any
way the legitimate ends the commission
has in view will be 4 matter OF as much
interest to the President as to the commits
sioners themselves and doubtless he will
assist them by all the means in his power,
to lay bare the whole story.
We have, then. a sufficient reason why
an inquiry should be conducted at this
time. the sincere desire of the President
that the work be done thoroughly and d
commission for the work commanding the
confidence of the country. We do not need
more to insure interest in the commission 5
performances and respect for its conclu-