The times., 1898-10-12
MR. ALGERSS sSTATEMENT
The Secretary of War Files
His Answer.
COPIES OF .s DISPATCHES
The Head of the War Department
Furnishes the Relief Con,missto,
With Information Which 1t Had
Asked For-Gen. Graham Tcstifies
Before the Board Yesterday.

Secretary of War Alger made sec
ond attempt yesterday to furnish the
Alser Relief Commission with the infor-
nation 1t requested from him at the he
ginning of its sessions. His second efsor,
was more successful than his first but
1t is quite apparent that ne Is still holding
back a great deal of interesting reading
matter-such as Col. RooseveIt's ranor+
on the Santiago campaign and many
other things pertinent to the inquiry or
dered by the President at the request
of his Secretary of War
Acting Admiral SIMPSONS cable of Juna
to the effect that he had .'reduced tho
fortifications and only awaits vo,r
(Shafter's) arrival to occupy Santiago
makes curious reading in the light of
subsequent events. When Santiago was
captured more than month later it was
found that the Notifications that had been
reduced" according to Sampson. were
practically uninjured.
Following is Secretary AIger's state
ment:
War Department,
Washington, October g. 1898
Maj. Gen. Grenville NJ. Dodge, President Commits
sion appointed by the President TO investigate
the conduct of the War Department in the
with Spain:
Sir: have the honor herewith to hand YOU
information desired from the Secretary OF War.
referred to in your letter of September q IsqS
Very respectfully
r. A. ALGER, Secretary of War.
Mr.. AIEer's Answer
l. Plan of campaign proposed Immediately
after the declaration of war: Was it intended
to move at once on Havana, that the campaign
should be postponed until the Autumn?
Answer. Immediate blockade by the navy of
the important ports of Cuba, as directed by the
Presidents proclamation. The holding of trocp,
at points nearest TO Cuba to be available in anv
emergency which might arise. and especially to
De ready for prompt assistance in case the onera.
tions OF the navy should make the use Of land
forces necessary desirable.
Early in May a plan was partially mafu-ed m
land force at aarie a point about twenty.six
miles west OF Havana, reports having been re-
ceived that IN its immediate vicinity ve-e high
grounds, well watered and suitable for camping
troops preparatory for movement upon Ha-
vana later. il it deemed advisable the
thought being that possibly an assault might 10
made upon the forces defending that city before
the rainy season set in. Orders were issued TO
that effect on May g. bit. subsequently, plans
were changed on account Of further information
that there would be great danger 10 the health
OF the troops in that vicinity; and, also on ac-
count OF the uncertainty OF the movements Of the
enemy meet IL was then determined 10 keen
the forces in the United States at points as near
Cuba as possible, for immediate embarkation
should an emergency demand it, The Santiago
campaign proved TO be that emergency
1t should he added. further. that it was be-
lleyed. after consultation with medical authori-
ties, that troops camping in Southern States dur.
ing the Summer would become somewhat accli-
mated for their services in Cuba.
2 When was the Santiago campaign deter
mined upon?
Answer The Santiago campaign was made nee.
| essary by the presence Of Admiral Cervera's feet
| in Santiago Harbor, but hsd previously been con.
I templated as one point on the coast where a
reconnaissance in force was to be made TO ascer-
1 tain the strength Of the enemy in the different
! locations in eastern Cuba.
| The immediate destruction of Admiral Cervera'
! fleet was necessary, and. TO enable the navy 10
accomplish this the military force under Mai
| Gen. Shafter, United States Volunteers was di
rected to move at once on the city and prov.
ince Of Santiago This movement hastened by
| reason of a telegram received from Admiral Ssmp-
son June I stating that he had bombarded
| forts at Santiago June and silenced works
quickly. and il 10000 men there city and
feet could be captured within f0rty-eght hours
1t is proper to state that after the date Of thi:
| message the Spanish garrison was largely re-en
forced. The opinion OF Admiral Sampson was
doubtless correct at the time. The troops sailed
from Tampa on June IA, 1898, with 16,9Ss officer
| and men.
8. Why was Tampa selected as the base o
| operations?
Answer. On account OF the shipping flcilitie,
at that point and its comparative short distanc,
| from Cuba, rendering any movement of tn,
| troops possible on short notice the progress
OF the blockade any other sudden condition
| might require.
4. Why were Summer camps organized a
Fernandina. Jacksonville, and Tampa?
Answer. All OF the early camps in the S0uti
were selected with special regard to the healti
| OF the troops and their convenience for promp
movement by rail and water The camp at Fer
nandina organized the recommendation
of the major general commanding the army. Th
camp at jacksonville selected on the recon-
mendation OF Mai Gen Lee, United States Volun
teers. commanding Seventh Army Corps Copy o
telegram herewith attached marked ''P'). A per
manent camp was never contemplated at Tampa
Troops were sent there preparatory for embaTka
tion and were kept there to be ready for an,
emergency; and. later, TO embark for Porto Rico
and, upon the signing of the protocol. the troops
being no longer required at Tampa. sent t
Huntsville, Ala, camp selected by officers de
tailed TO ascertain best camping sites. having Il
view health and comfort of the soldiers.
3. When was the Porto Rico campaign deter
mined upon?
Answer. The Porto Rico campaign had bee
long under consideration, and the orders to carr
it out were issued June 26, 1898 (See copy O
letter herewith, marked a." to Maj. Gen. Miles
u. s. Al
g. Why were the troops held transport
after embarkation at Tampa, and not permitted t
sail for several days?
Answer. Troops were held on transports afte
embarkation at Tampa on account of the advice
received from Commodore Remey that "Spanis
cruiser, second class, and Spanish torpedo boa
destroyer, seen by Eagle, Nicholas Channel, Cuba
destroy convoy" (See copies OF kilograms for
the Navy Department herewith, marked *,
a. 'M")
Accompanying Secretary Alger's repl