The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-14

today. He was first in command at
Camp Alger, Virginia, at the begin
ming of the war and detailed the con-
dition which prevailed at that camp
There was only one railroad running
into the camp and the station was
about one and one-half miles distant.
No running stream was near by, but
there were many fine springs n small
brooks formed by the springs. He
thought the water supply was suffi-
cient when the camp numbered no
more THAI five regiments of troops, but
as the troops increased 1t became nee
essary to dig wells. There was delay
in digging h wells, forty Of which
were sunk, one for each regiment. The
supply was ample for all purposes ex-
cept bathing. The wells were we'll cared
for and there was no surface polu-
ton of them. Before the wells were
sunk General Graham said there I'M
doubtedly was some inconvenience On
account of the necessity of going a
LONG distance for water. 1t was also
his impression that there had been
some complaints of sickness on acc
punt of the water famine, which had
continued from the Goth Of May until
the 18th of June, with varying degrees
Of intensity.
General Graham did not believe that
the spring and we'll water had been re-
sponsible for the sickness at Camp AL
ger, but vas inclined to attribute nue.
of the trouble to the soldiers insisting
upon taking the water from the lit
tie streams running through the camp.
There had been considerable typhoid
fever at the camp, but it did not orig
mate there, and the first cases were
reported. During the entire stay at the
camp less than 4 per cent. of the COM
mand was sick. There were sixty-nine
deaths, five being those of officers.
Much of the sickness was, in his
opinion, due to d~elicacies sent to the
soldiers from home.
When typhoid fever began to be con-
Sidered an epidemic, he issued strict
orders for the detailing of guards for
the care of sinks, making any neglect
an offense punishable by arrest. Many
other precautions were taken to pro-
tect the men from contamination, in
Guiding the removal of sinks to a prop
er distance from the kitchens.
AT this point the commission ad-
journed for the day, General Graham
not having concluded.
TO TAKE POSSESSION OF PORTO
RICO AND CUBA.
Instructions have been sent to the
United States military commission in
Cuba, fixing December 1st as the date
when Spanish control over the island
must cease. The commissioners act
ing upon these instructions, have mott
fled the Spaniards that O that date
all ports and customs receipts, and the
management of municipal affairs will
pass into the hands of the American
military commander in the island. This
order was not intended to work hard
ship to the Spanish troops or govern
ment, but it was thought best to fix
a definite time to end Spanish rule
and to begin operations under the
United States. 1t is probable that the
United States troops will go to Cuba
before that time. By December 1st it
is expected to have troops SO station
ed that there will be no need of Span
ish troops to preserve order. The proc
lamatiOnS that have been issued by
the president, establishing custom
rates and defining the manner in which
Cuban territory shall be governed will
prevail until il becomes apparent that
new regulations are needed.
On October 18th Major Genera
Brooke will assume absolute control of
the island of Porto Rico. 1t is possible
that all the Spanish troops will not
have left Porto Rico at that time; if
so, they will be quartered in barracks
until they can be taken away. In the
all udSS u SECRETARY Anger, lie OHll-
ed States will be the host and the
S~paniards the guests after October
18th. The United States will not ship
the remaining troops to Spain at its
own expense. That was no part of
the protocol. The custom houses, the
money received for CUSTOMS, and the
government Of the island will pass
completely from Spanish control on the
date set. The present custom regula-
tions under the proclamation of the
president will prevail.
WARSHIPS ORDERED TO CHAh-
LESION.
The people of Charleston, S. c., are
to a an opportunity to see some of
the warships, for at the instance OF
Representative Elliot, of South Caro-
lima, Secretary Long today gave or
ders for fou of the ships to go to
Charleston to participate in the jubi-
lee exercises there on the oath instant.
The vessels named have made honor-
able records during the war. They are
the Wilmington, which was in the
fighting at Cardenas when Bagley was
killed; the Nashville, which fought at
CienfuegOs: the Montgomery, which
took part in the bo~mbardment of the
Santiago forts and the Princeton.
TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES
AGAINST FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
A hearing was given at the civil
service commission today on charges
Of violation of the civil service rules
preferred against the postmaster, as
sistant postmaster, marshal and other
officials at Richmond, Va, as men,
toned in these dispatches asst night.
Numerous affidavits and other papers
We're filed. AS a result of the repre-
sensations made, the commission has
ordered an investigation to be made at
Richmond. The date has not been de-
termined, but will probably be early
next week.