The times., 1898-12-23
Corbin,s Plea.


Corbin on the stand before the Alger Re-
to an examination of Secretary Alger, the
most important and interesting event in
the history of the inquiry. He is one of
the two chief cuiprits on whose shoulders
has been placed the responsibility for the
great tragedy enacted in Cuba and in the
American camps through the lack Of
supplies of all kinds and the lack of in
telligent administration. Yet there was
little of interest or profit in his testimony.
beyond the revelation of an astounding
and profound ignorance of everything he
should know better than anybody else.
For all Of the many instances in which
terrible consequences followed neglect,
he enters the general plea of unreadiness
because the War Department did not ex-
pect war until Congress adopted the final
resolution in April Against stupidity the
gods themselves are impotent. That war
was inevitable was the certain belief of
everybody outside the War Department
long before. The President himself knew
how hard was the fight he must make
negotiate with Spain. He encouraged his
Secretary, Mr.. Porter, in getting from
New England commercial bodies protests
against the forcing of the country into
war. However, We must accept the state
ment that until war was virtually beeun
the War Department had no thought Of
war.
II Il. At. ant. afr,tc
about which General Corbin was ques-
toned were mostly met by assertions tn At
are open to discussion. For example. he
affirms that it was impossible to get more
or better transports-yet there were coast
steamship lines that continued to make
trips where they We're not afraid Of
Spanish warships. Perhaps a small fact
may be suggestive in this connection.
No boats of any kind had been provided
to aid in the landing of the expedition to
Cuba Yet at the last moment, as soon
as General Miles discovered the fact, that
energetic officer was able to buy two
barges at once 10 send along. The ad-
jutant general stated generally that he
did not know why there was a lack OF
medicines doctors and hospital supplies
at Santiago. Yet he is the officer who up
set the inspection department and re-
quired all reports of subordinates to be
made TO him. His reply to the informa-
ton that many or most of the officers
did not know of the sixty-cent commute
ton ration was that he gave the news tC
the Associated Press. but the officer:
would not read it. Being told thar the
complaints in the newspapers Were such
! as to keep him informed of defects in tie
| service he replied that he did not read
| the newspapers. His ''own peace anC
| comfort made this necessary. On TIE
heels of this his statement that tht
American people were satisfied with The
treatment the army received was more
/ surprising tnan truthful.
The Alger Relief Commissioners seemed
! to be careful not to bring up the really
vital matter about which Corbin shoulC
| have been examined-his efforts, in asso
! citation with Secretary Alger, to preven
/ General Miles from taking an active IaI
in the war. Incidentally, however, he die
| reveal the manner in which General Nile!
was treated. Camp Alger was a blunde
| from the start and no officer with tn,
| least care for his soldiers would select it
| Just as no regular officer with care fo
1 his reputation would want to be charge
with its selection. Without the consent o.
| General Miles, Major Seaburn was ap
/ pointed 10; the staff of the commanding
| 10 n
| Miles, though, and never served on hi:
staff Yet, because Major Seaburn Sc
| lected Camp Alger, the choice Wa:
| charged to General Miles. The adjutan
general also stated that the selection oi
Chickamauga was made by General Miles
but he did not explain that the command
| ing general never approved the sending
of so many troops there.
In short, the examination was most dis
appointing and shows how important Il
is that the adjutant general should bs
subjected to the searching questions or Z
| Congressional committee. Undoubtedly
| he is sincere in admitting that he was ig
norant of many things about which h,
| should have been well informed-prefer
ring the comfort and peace of mind o.
| ignorance to the disturbing effects of !;
| knowledge that his own incompetency
was working its natural consequences
/ It was through the newspapers that Sec
retary AIger says he received his frs
information of the defects in the differ
ent departments. AS it was long before
| any official reports We're received, the ad
| jutant general, who did not read tn,
newspapers, remained without the infor
nation.