The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-08
CEN. GREENE. COL. LEE AND MAI.
HERSEY BEFORE WAR INVEs-
TIGATION COMMISSION.
ARMY SUPPLIED ABUNDANTLY.
GEN. GREENE SUGGESTS CHANGES
IN ARMY REGULATIONS.
Col Lee Cites an Instance Where
His Juniors nt Washington Were
Disposed to Interfere with
Him-DepRrtment should
Have Credit for
what It HAD Done.

Washington, Oct. Three witnesses
were before the war investigation commits
sion to-day, Gen. Greene, who participat-
ed. in the battle at Manila Col. Lee. chief
quarter master at Camp Thomas, and
Maj Hersey. who was for a time in com
mand of the Roosevelt Rough Riders.
Each agreed in saying that no army was
ever so abundantly and luxurlously sup
piled as was the American army In the
Spanish war.
Gen. F. V. Greene, who was In charge
OF one of the divisions of United States
troops at the battle of Manila, was the
first witness. He sailed from San Fran
cisco to Manila on the steamer China, an
excellent vessel, he said, which was in
spected by a board of officers before 1t
was chartered
The health of the troops at Manila was
excellent and the commissary supplies
were abundant, but there was difficulty in
getting them ashore on account of the
storm. This caused some hardshlps. One
day they were without food, but during
the other twentyfour days they had suf-
icient food to sustain life.
There were only twenty or thirty sick
in his command. He considered the sur
geons efficient and had heard no COM
plant from the men in the hospitals.
The sinks were inspected twice daily.
1t had been impossible to properly sup
ply the men with shoes and as a conse-
quence about 300 of the troops marched
into the city barefoot after the capltula-
ton.
Gen. Greene thought the army regula-
tlons should be adapted more to campaign
experiences than at present. The commits
sary was so restricted that a case where
lighter sank with rations for a regi-
ment. the commissary could not issue
others, without the authority of a board
of survey.
Speaking of the camp at San Fran
cisco, he said the site of Camp Merritt
was very poor, but did not know whether
better side could have been secured. The
location was made by Gen. Otis, and Gen.
Greene felt safe in denying the report that
there had been collusion with the railroad
authorities in choosing the site.
Gen. Greene stated that the most flag
rant evidence of neglect that he had seen
during the war was In the case of the
transports at New York. Their condition
was of a character that should have been
remedied. He had also seen green coffee
issued, both in Florida and at Manila.
Comparing the experience of his troops.
with those of Turkey and Russia, he eaid
he had seen more suffering In the Turk
lsh army in day than he had seen in
the American troops In &. month, and there
were 5000 Russian troops I'll by typhoid
fever at the close Of the Russian cam
paign. He spoke from observations, and
said the comparison at every point were
favorable to the American troops.
Maj. Henry B. Hersey of Santa Fe, N.
M, of the Roosevelt Rough Riders was
next examined. He said the men were
generally in good health at San Antonio,
as they were also in the main at Tampa,
which was the next stopping place.
He complained, however, that at the lat
ter place the camp was low and fiat, and
toward the close of his stay there, In July,
there was an increase Of fever and kim
dred diseases. The troops were, he said,
well supplied from the commissary ana
other departments, but there were some
complaints against the physician who was
left with the squadron at this point. The
chief cause of criticism appeared to be
the bearing of the man toward the men.
At the afternoon session Maj. Hersey
related his experience and observations az
Montauk Point He had come north on
the Miami which was considered the
worst of the transports Still, the Voy-
age was not characterized by any special
discomforts. lie considered Camp Wikoft
the most perfect camp he had ever seen.
This witness was followed by Col. James
c. Lee. who was chief quartermaster at
Camp Thomas during the history of that
camp. He said that neither the regulars
nor the volunteers had sufficient transpor-
tation facilities when they came IN, and
their wants in this respect were sup
Piled.
He had Immediately made estimates for
supplies and all mad been met with a re-
markable degree Of promptitude.
Col. Lee dwelt upon the natural diff
culties OF supplying an army of 5000 men.
They were impatient as a rule and SEEM
ed to expect to be able to turn faucet
and get everything they wanted upon the
spur Of the moment There were some
articles Of which they were never able
10 get a sufficient supply, army trousers
for instance. He remembered one case
in which there appeared likely to be a
clash in the making Of contracts with the
railroads for the transportation of troops,
In which men who were his juniors in
the Washington headquarters were mani
Testing disposition to interfere with him
by prescribing conditions with which 1t
was impossible to comply He had pro-
tested in sharp and vigorous language,
and thereafter there was no trouble, as
the Washington office receded from its
position.
Gen. McCook asked for the names Of
those who had interfered and insisted up
on having them. After hesitating some
what. Col Lee said the difficulty arose
in the transportation branch of the de-
partment in charge of Coils. Hecker and
Budd
Pressed TO enter into particulars, Col.
Lee said that his contention was that he
should be allowed to make all the rates.