The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-31
Omcers Charged with Neglect and
Failing to Report True Conditions
to the War Department.
C0URT-MHRTIAL FOR MILES
CHARGED WITH MAKING PUBLIC HIS
PRIVATE DISPATCHES.
AIger Does Not Believe the Sensation
When He Reaches Washington.

WASHINGTON. Aug. SO.-secretary of
War Alger, in an interview furnished the
New York Journal, says that neither he.
the surgeon general, the quartermaster gen.
eral nor the commissary general should be
held responsible for the horrible condition
of the soldier camps, but places the blame
on the shoulders of the officers in charge
Of the camps. He declares that every
requisition was filled and every necessity or
luxury was furnished that was asked for.
He was seen at his home IN K street, and
was indignant at all the charges and hopes
that Congress will investigate thoroughly.
He declines to inaugurate the investigation
himself. He was asked about the Miles in
terview. and said: II do not believe word
of it. 1 do not think there is a particle of
truth in it. General Miles would not do a
thing which he knows would subject him
20 arrest and Imprisonment. A man does
not cut his own throat needlessly.'
''Will General Miles be given an oppor-
tunity to explain?"
Somebody else may ask him about it."
was the only reply the secretary would
vouchsafe.
Commenting upon the criticism of himself
Secretary Alger concluded by saying: Il
am not the man to run in the face of fire.
Some newspapers and some people are en-
deavoring to force me out of the Cabinet;
they cannot do it. They are endeavoring to
besmirch my reputation; they cannot do it.
If the opportunity arises / will fight back.
If attacks are made upon me by the press
of which the law can take notice will send
my accusers to Jail. / have already made
inquiries as to the possibility of furnishing
some of my traducers in New York, and If
1.~aw. 49,. n ill
Concerning the work of the department he
says:
al have labored night and day to secure
the welfare and to provide for the comfort
OF our soldiers. That has been my first care.
and no secretary has ever issued more di-
rect or more imperative orders with this
end in view than I. There has not been
request made that has not been complied
with; there has not been a necessity called
for that has not been furnished.
But the secretary of war could not be
everywhere to see that his orders were car
ried out. The press and the public seem to
have overlooked the fact that every camp
that has been established-and this applies
to Santiago as well--has been under the
command of an officer of the regular army
THAT at Tampa was in charge of General
Coppinger. regular army man. That at
Chickamauga. where there has been the
most sickness. was in charge of General
Brooke. regular army officer. And when
General Brooke was relieved he was sue
ceeded by General Wade, and Wade was
succeeded by General Breckinridge-both of
the regular army. Camp Alger was in
charge of General Graham. The camp at
Jacksonville was in charge of General Fitz-
hugh Lee, who is a graduate of West Point.
and has turned out to be the best corps
commander we have. He has kept his COM
mand In better shape than any of the 9TH
ers''
'He had the advantage of artesian wells"
was suggested.
PRAISE FOR GENERAL LEE.
''EIe had no advantage at ALL retorted the
secretary, sharply. HE simply did his duty.
and looked after the health of his men as
ne should. He ordered the adoption of cer-
tain simple sanitary regulations. and saw
to it that they were obeyed The result
was that he kept his great corps, stationed
as 1t was where one would naturally expect
diease to break out with only per cent, of
his men sick. while camps further north
have been overrun with disease.
Another example of the effectiveness of
proper management in the prevention of
disease was shown at Chickamauga in the
Eighth Massachusetts,. The colonel of that
regiment looked after the health of his men
as Lee did after that of his corps. The re-
suit was that he had only twelve men sick
and about the same number in hospital at
the time this report was made. to me.
These two commanders simply provided
tubs for the use of the men and compelled
them to be used. During the day they were
filled with lime and at night they were
emptied. 1t was a simple enough precau-
ton. yet it was splendidly effective.
These camps were all in charge of reg
ular army officers 1t was part of their
business to look after the health of the
men; to report on the condition of their
camps, and to see that the men had every
thing they needed. If anything was wanted
all that had to be done was to ask for it,
Yet there is nothing said about these off,
GERS. TO see the public prints one would
suppose that the only person to be criti-
rised was the secretary OF war"
''WiI an investigation be ordered to Ak
the responsibility for the ,nismanagement
Of the eamps?" the secretary was asked
"That is something have not decided up
on yet" was the reply II shall have TO
consult the President about that. could
not order an investigation made now. IL
did, the public would say that l was en-
deavoring TO throw off some of the respon-
sibility upon others. But l hope Congress
will order an investigation. and / hope 1t
will be a thorough one. have nothing to
fear from IT,"
'.Did not the commanders OF the camps
report to YOU as to the condition OF their
men?"
Eyes. they reported that the men were In
Good condition. that they wanted for moth