The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-02

Washington, and in the Meantime
Nothing VIII BE Done-strOng
Effort to Save the Party From the
Scandal That VIII Follow an
Open Rupture.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-Gen. Miles
Is on his way home from Porto Rico.
AIger, pending the arrival of the COM
mander-in-chief is keeping silence, and
the Republican politicians, afraid of
the effect upon the party Of the reVela-
tions which must follow an open rup-
ture, are endeavoring to effect COM
promise before the soldier and the sec
Tetary meet.
The attitude assumed by the pollu-
clans toward Secretary Alger places
the president in very embarrassing
position. Secretary Alger was one of
the heaviest contributors TO the cam
paign fund and performed valuable
services. having expended, it is said,
$3.50. 000 in taking Grand Army veterans
around the country ON a speech-mak-
ing tour. This places the president un-
der obligations not easily violated.
y few days ago there appeared to be
way out of the difficulty 1t was for
the president to appoint Senator Nc
MILAN as ambassador to Great Britain.
According to the programme, Gov.
Piugree would then appoint Secretary
Alger to the senate as Senator MCMi
lan's successor. If the scheme had not
been more far-reaChing there would
have been no difficulties in the preSi-
dents way 10 making a change in the
cabinet without openly repudiating his
war secretary. But Gov. Pingree pro-
posed to make an effort to succeed
Senator Burrows The latter opposed
the McMilIan-AIger- -Pingree deal. SEN
atOr Burrows is a close friend of the
president, and the latter cannot easily
ignore his wish.
Just how far the Republican family
row will influence the fall elections is
in doubt, but there is no question that
it will show in the returns. Repre-
sentative Livingstone, of Georgia, feels
assured that the Democratic party will
be victorious in the fall elections. AL
though he personally does not find any
fault with the management OF the war;
he is confident that the numerous crit
icisms of the press and the public Of
Secretary Alger will have a direct
bearing upon the elections. In speak
ing of the army administration Col.
Livingstone said:
In my opinion the criticisms which
have lately been made of Secretary AL
ger are most unjust. Although l am a
Democrat I do not believe in seeing
any man who has worked as faithfully
as the secretary Of war so unfairly
weighed down with criticisms. That
mistakes have been made are clearly
evident, but these errors I know are
for the most part due to the inexperi-
ence of having volunteer troops
One blunder Of the department, the
result of mixing patriotism and politics,
Is, however, certain to be used during
the coming campaign. This blunder
was the Wade expedition to Porto Rico.
1t is now stated that this move delayed
the removal of the troops from Santi-
ago. as transports that should have
been employed in bringing the sick
soldiers from Santiago were brought
north for the Porto Rico trip. The
Gen. Wade expedition was a holiday
excursion. 1t was stated at the time
that it was organized for the purpose
Of giving each state representation at
the front. 1t was admitted that no
such force was required, as Gen. Miles
was winning blOOdless victories with
the command he had in Porto Rico.
Politics was responsible for the or
ganizatiOn OF the Wade expedition. 1t
was not until after the fever epidemic
became so alarming that the expedition
was abandoned and attention given TO
getting the dying soldiers out of Cuba.
In the meantime the word had gone
out that Republican papers must cease
their attacks on Alger and allow the
matter to die out AS an example Of
this, the correspondent of one Of the
Chicago papers, which has been most
bitter against the secretary, telegraph
ed to his paper:
Army officers now believe the agitat on viii
subside, and when Gen. Miles returns there
will be no inquiry or court martial, and
nothing will be done unless Miles voluntarily
makes a statement to the secretary. Gen.
Corbin has refrained at all times from maxi
ing any public statements and at a con-
ference of an hours duration today between
the adjutant general and Secretary AIger it
was agreed that neither of them would speak
of the matter through the press.
II - now petfGNeu Dy SeCTeJdTy AISerS
friends that if he maintains silence he will
be vindicated. There has been quite a change
in public opinion here, and the reports of
starvation and cruel treatment OF the SOL
diers are not being received with as much
credence as within the last week. Some
of the worst cases have bsen Investigated
In the army and officials report that condl-
tions had been exaggerated. 1t Is not de-
MED that the soldiers have suffered and have
been poorly cared for, and were compelled to
lie on the ground while suffering from fever
but these officers also found justification Tor
the neglect under the plea of hurry to get
troops out of Cuba.
Surgeon General Sternberg, who has de-
manded an investigation of the medical de-
partment, asserts that he can clear his
bureau Of all charges of neglect and be-
lieves he can fasten the blame upon the
quartermaster's department, which transports
all medical supplies Gen. Sternberg was
much excited over the statements of DR..
Sem, in which he said typhoid would be-
come epidemic at Montauk unless the troops
were speedily removed He threatens to hold