New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-15
DR. SFAMAN'S TESTIMONY

Dk- SEAMANS
Washington Oct. 14.-Dr Louis L. Seaman, major
and surgeon Of the 1st Volunteer Engineers. was
before the War Department Investigating Comu1is-
son to-day He saw service in Porto Rico. and had
bsen quoted as making serious charges concerning
II. methods Of conducting the war. He asked
thar he be permitted 70 have present IN the room
friend F Ayrault, an attorney. Of New
York The request being granted. he said he would
sffrm rather than be sworn He declined 10 stand
up for This ceremony saving; Il will sit; I don't
have 10 stand up No objection made hv the
Commission. and the testimony proceeded
Dr. Seaman said ne mad never seen any military
ssrvce before the beginning Of the present war
but he had studied 81 Princeton and sfterward in
London Berlin and Paris After joining the
vice and before going 70 Porto Rico he sta
toned with his regiment az Camp Townsend
There his acquisitions were promptly filed, and no
regiment went rho front better prepared TO cope
with disease casualty. The command sailed
south on the Chester. and there no serious
sickness going out He had left Porto Rico on
ept4uber %. The regiment had enjoyed better
health IN Porto Rico than had been anticipated.
and there were only two deaths IN the command
W % the time Of his departure. a regimental
hospital established. and there never
sny time deficiency in medical supplies. The
sane was also true Of the tentage and the ambu-
lance supplies furnished By the Quartermasters
Department. The Commissary Department had
also furnished sufficient Army rations but ne COM
plained Of them being unsuitable for an army
In the tropics. 1t is the same ration used IN the
lake regions when the mercury is 40 degrees below
FARO II Is not suitable and the men do not want
f.. ne said. He added that the men at first
not permitted 10 commute their Tations. and they
came % him by hundreds, complaining OF this dep
rYaton He complained especially Of the shortage
Of rice. and declared The officers insisted that tho
nen should take more fresh meat than they &C.
sired
He ssid The sick were fed only with the Army
ratcns He failed 10 secure any change Of diet
Tor HIS patients. Notwithstanding that he made fire.
ouert demands on the quarternaster Of the Iegt-
mer' and the surgeon az the corps He was told
that no other food was issued 20 any regiment II
thar service. and that # would be Of no use 70
make formal requ,suon IN writing However.
'ae men in the hospital did not suffer because rho
Red Cross furnished the desired assistance.
CONDITIONS on THE OLDHAM
Dr. Seaman said that he had been in charge Of
two hundred corva lescents on the OLDHAM return
ing from Ponce The snip was supplied with Army
rave! rauons. which while plentiful and good Of
&c kind, we're rot suitable fer invalids. He re-
FUSED 10 give this food his patients ana appealed
Tor different variety 70 the Ped Cross and the
National Aid Society. and they had supplied what
he desired As consequence all the patients. with
one exception. gained weight and strength on the
voyage lie made no formal requisition 70 the
Government authorities for different rauons be
cause be was told could get only the regular
fston. AMI because Of the willingness Of the Red
Gross 70 furnish what be considered better food
When Ex-Governor Beaver pressed the witness
explain why no reQulsiuon was made for con-
eeased milk and tea ne replied that Chief Surgeon
enowden had told him they could not be had
Returning 70 his STAY In Porto RICO, Dr.. Seaman
vac there had been universal complaint al the
h'sp!tsls Of deficiency Of suitable supplies There
were tines when the Red Cross did not have these.
"ale there 10 shortage Of the regular r-t!ons'
oe thought many men had suffered for want Of
.'oper food lie had been told repeatedly that the
cents day ration for the sick could not be
furnished In Porto Rico. II was not even eu2pl'ed
ne general military hospital.
MADE no FORMAL REQU1sITION
D' Conner urged Dr.. Seaman fer a statement as
s9u'sition for the communication OF supplies by the
sSOnin'ssary Department. The latter replied he
n%o not done so. but insisted that his reason for
.a's failure was found IN the fact that &c was con-
any informed that no such exchange could be
-a's lie said he had only six hours in which 10
-99y the OLDHAM. and he had secured from The
s.sl!ssafy oniy the regular travel ration. but ne
40 saa MADE no formal demand f,r ether suitable
"S Qc not know that the ccmnisse!y al
scn,ithe1 on hand Sz50.o00 or eny other sum for
,isyyyng oelicaces 10 the scA; he only knew thai
W. ,eply 70 question by Dr. Conner Dr. Seaman
se,s mai while no wes IN Porto Rico the hospitals
Nnee We!crcWded the beds beias within siX inches
Erv s. three and four thousand sick out or an
ny q ten thousand
..Ssanan grew somewhat angry under DR.
tssS.s questioning ard Ia reply 70 or inquiry III
q %