The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-09-09
ABOUT CAMP WIKOFF
Secretary Alger Talks About His
Inspection of Montauk Point.
EVERYTHING WAS DONE FOR The MEN
The President Satisfied That the Sick Are
Being as Welt Cared for as They
Could BE in n Field
Hospital


Washington, Sept 3. Secretary AL
ger, who returned late Saturday night
from New York after his inspection
tour through Camp Wikoff at MontaulS
point, with President Mckinley and
several Of the bureau officials of the
war department, commented last night
upon the conditions of the camp and
stated the results of his visit. The
secretary said:
feel certain after careful examination OF
Camp Wikon and a thorough Investigation OF
its conditions that everything possible Is be-
ing done for the men, both sick and well. who
are detained there. The camp Is an admirable
one-the best, think, ever saw The site is
ideal tits beautiful without ling picturesque
and is certainly as healthful n camp location
as could be found In the eastern country.
While the conditions are as good as could
reasonably be expected I'm the circum-
stances-cven better than ever knew them to
be In camp-a shade Of gloom is cast over the
encampment by the physical condition OF the
men, Sickness suffering and death mar what
would otherwise be magnificent military pic
ture These conditions, however. are not the
result OF the situation Of ths camp itself, but
OF the terrible campaign through which the
troops passed That campaign at Santiago
will be memorable in the military history OF
duct and in the results accomplished. Few
military experts expected when the campaign
was tnaugurated that such n success could be
achieved in so short time IL was tremen-
dous undertaking to begin n campaign in a
tropical country during the rainy season
against position naturally so strong and so
well defended as was Santiago. That success
was achieved so soon and with loss compare
lively so small Is due to the energy and ability
OF Gen. Shafter and his commanding officers
and to the dash, bravery and splendid fighting
qualities OF the men Of Cen Skaters corps
talked with Gen. Shafter and he discussed
some OF the obstacles which had to be over
come In the santiago campaign. He said that
when he arrived in Cuba and realized the con-
ditions that confronted him and his men, he
knew that the campaign must OF necessity be
one OF days rather than OF weeks and months
He had lost nearly all his lighters and was
thus seriously handicapped In effect
ing landing OF both his troops
and the stores and supplies which
the feet carried The tremendous rains which
set in Immediately after his arrival rendered
IL next to impossible for either the troops or
supplies TO be gotten forward He felt how
ever, that whatever we're the difficulties, he
must press forward and II possible end the
campaign In the brlefest time The climatic
conditions were such that to lose any time
meant cue destruction OF MS commanu oy M
ness and the consequent failure OF the expcd-
ton. He took no chances on delays, therefore.
but swept his gallant army upon the Spaniards
with such irresistible dash that victory was
won almost before the Spaniards themselves
realized what they had to encounter
II Is perfectly evident now that had Gen
Shatter waited until his army and its supplies
could have been sent forward, with ordinary
elaboration, the expedition against Santiago
would have failed utterly. In measure II
was HIS disregard for military conventional
ties that enabled him to carry the campaign to
brilliantly successful issue. 1t is particularly
notable that the men who were actually en-
gagged in the Santiago campaign are not COM
planning OF their treatment | talked with
scores OF them-I was about saying hundreds
and not breath OF complaint did | hear from
any OF them. They suffered, they are suffer-
ing yet, but they endured and are enduring
their trials like Spartans There may be in
divldual cases OF Complaints 1t would indeed
be strange II there were not; but as q body the
army OF Gen. Shafter is not only satisfied with
the situation but UNNECESSARILY proud OF its
marvellous achievements
The president was particularly solicitous
about the condition OF the men who are ill.,
He went to Camp WilSon to ascertain for him
SELF whether the men In the ranks needed any,
thing that they were not getting His orders
were that they should not want for nothing
but he desired personally to know whether
those orders were being carried out After
ful examination, he left camp satisfied that
the men were being as we'll cared for as they
could be In a field hospital. He took no official
word for anything. Such visit as President
Mckinley made TO Camp Wikon is almost
unique In military annals He went to camp
equipped with knowledge, judgment and eNpe-
rience to make an investigation. He had served
in the camp ana in the field himself and he
knew what ought TO be expected IN the circum-
stances That he was reasonably well satisfied
with the conditions as he found them Is IA guar
antee that they are not far wrong.
Conditions have changed materially during
the third OF u century since the civil war This
was noted especially by every one OF the old
soldiers In our party yesterday In the hos
pitfalls nj Camp Wiiof the patients have plenty
OF ice, milk, lemons and many delicacies which
were seldom seen In the field hospitals during
the last war Then too, each cot is supplied
with fresh, clean sheets and pillow cases each
day and there are trained female nurses to
look after the wants Of every patient These
things now are the tribute "a grateful govern
ment pays to its splenlid soldiers, who. in add
ing luster TO the fame OF their country. have
won for themselves u glory that time will not
dim.
Secretary Alger said there was no
intention of abandoning Camp Wikoff.
The troops will be kept there so long
as it may be deemed desirable to keep
up the camp, A rumor was given cur.
rency that the camp, having been
found by the president to be unsuita-
BILE for its purposes, was to be aban-
doned Immediately. This Secretary
Alger pronounced TO be without
foundation.
KANSAS DAIRY INTERESTS.