The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-12

are precedents for their appointment,
notably the treaty of Client.
THE GUSSIE SAFE.
I The wal department has received a
report from General Gilmore saying
that the Gussie, which was reported
wrecked, is safe.
THAT ROUND ROBIN"
General Shafter has teIegraphed the
president regarding the "roun robin"
signed by the general officers of his
command as follows:
II can very readily see what in
tense excitement the publication must
ave occasioned, a great deal more
than the situation warranted. The
situation is greatly aggravated from
the fact that before any of the men
were taken ill they were thoroughly
At least IS per cent. of the
has been down with malariaI
fever, from which they recover very
slowly and are in no condition to stand
an attack of yellow fever or dysentery.
Placed here now in the condition in
which they were when they came here,
1 do not believe they would be in any
particular danger. The regiment of
immunes that recently arrived is not
suffering at all and I do not believe
they will. They can keep out of the
sun, are we'll clothed and we'll fed.
VIdL put my COIuI1dUu III It's present
condition was the twenty days of the
campaign when they had nothing but
meat, bread and coffee, without change
of clothes, without any shelter what
ever and during the period twice as
stormy as it has been since the surren-
der.
NO DANGER TO FRESH TROOPS
AT SANTIAGO.
Fresh troops reaching here in the
middle of August, with good camps,
good water, abundance of tentage-
which they will inc here-need not ap-
prehend serious danger. I thank you
for the high regard in whiCN won hold
my command and the value of the SER
vice they have rendered. 1t pays for
all the suffering we have endured. I
lave read this to Generals Wheeler,
LaWtOn, Bates and Kent, who concur
with me in the view expressed above"
HARDSHIPS OF FIRST TROOPS
LANDED.
General Shafter in a report to the
war department emphatically denies
that he is responsible for the made
quate provision made for the sick and
wounded brought from Santiago to the
United States on the seneca and Con-
chO.
General Shafter speaks in high terms
of DR.. LaGarde, and says that he has
|, worked under 1.-The most d~isadvanta-
| geOuS circumstances. From the day
the forces left Tampa until the present
time he says that there "have never
been sufficient medical attendants or
| medicines for the daily wants of the
| command. Three times since reaching
Cuba has the command" he says,
been almost entirely without medi-
| cines." This statement, he say is
made by the medical directors, and on
one occasion they suggested taking
medicines away from the Spanish hos
pital.
SECRETARY TO RETIRE FROM OF
FICE.
The published report of the intention
of Secretary Day to resign the office
of secretary of state upon the termina-
ton of the present war is based upon
statements that were made at the time
he assumed office, to the effect that he
would consent to hold it but a short
timeA No official utterance as to the
secretasw'S pos is now obtainable,
and Secretary Day himself declines to
make any statements on the subject,
so it cannot be ascertained positively
whether or not the period of time which
he had in mind as to the length of his
service when he assumed office has
about expired.
TYPHOID FEVER IN CAMPS.
The epidemic of typhoid fever which
prevails in so many Of the army camps
is giving the war department a great
deal of concern, n steps are being
taken to check the fever and prevent
further spread of the disease. Surgeon
eneral Sternberg today issued a cir
! cular, calling attention to a former cir
cular issued by the medical department
on April 25th. The former circular was
devoted to recommendations for the
health of the troops n infinitely
pointed out what to avoid and how
camps should be conducted from a
sanitary point of view, together with
suggestions as to food and clothing
for the soldiers. It is the opinion of
the surgeon general that these condi-
tions have not been carried out and in
his circula today he says:
The extensive prevalence of typhoid
fever in camps of instruction indicates
that the sanitary recommendations
made in this circular have not been
carried out. If medical officers have
failed to make the proper recommended
tons as indicated, the responsibility
rests with them. If the recommended
tons have been made and not acted
upon by those having authority in the
various camps, the responsibility is
not with the medical department., but
peated and commanding officers be urg-
ed to move their camps at frequent in
tervals and to maintain a strict sani-
tary police"