The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-09-09
ALGER AND CAMP N|K0FF.
The Secretary Of War Talks About
the Presidents Visit.
GLOOM CAUSED BY SICKNESS.
Troops Suffered Little From Lack OF
NecessarIcs -Terrible Climate, Rains
and Roads OF Cuba Made It Next to
Impossible to Get Supplies Forward.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-Secretary
Alger, who. returned from New York
after his inspection tour through Camp
WilSoff at Montauk Point, with Presi-
dent Mckinley and several OF the bu-
reau officials of the war department,
commented upon the conditions of the
camp and stated the results of his
visit.
"While the conditions are as good
as could reasonably be expected in the
clrcumstances-even better than ever
knew them to be in a camp-a shade
of gloom is cast over the camp by the
physical condition of the men. Sick
ness, suffering and death mar what
would otherwise be a magnificent mil
itary picture. These conditions, how
ever, are not the result of the situation
of the camp itself, but of the terrible
campaign through which the troops
have just passed
"That campaign of Santiago will be
memorable in the military history of
the world. 1t was wonderful, both in
its conduct and in the results accom-
plished. Few military experts expect
ed when the campaign was inaugural
ed that such a success could be
achieved in so short time. 1t was a
tremendous undertaking to begin a
campaign in tropical country during
the rainy season against a position
naturally SO strong and so well de-
Tended as was Santiago, That success
was achieved so soon and with loss
comparatively SO small is due to the
energy and ability of General Shafter
and his commanding officers, and to
the dash, bravery and splendid fight
ing qualities of the men of General
Skaters corps.
II talked with General Shafter,"
continued the secretary, "and he dis
cussed some of the obstacles which had
to be overcome in the Santiago cam
paign. Just now he, by the way, is
suffering from the effects of the cam
paign himself. While chatted with
him his face was flushed with fever
and he was really q sick man. Upon
his arrival at Montauk Point he went
into the detention camp with the
other soldiers, and, like true soldier
that he is, he asked nothing better for
himself than was being received by
the men whom he commands. The
time of his detention expired to-day,
and he expected, upon leaving the de-
tention camp to assume command of
Camp Wikoff. have not heard
whether he took command to-day or
not.
During all the time the troops
were lying in the trenches before San
tiago, despite the immense difficulties
experienced in getting supplies to the
front, the men suffered very little
from lack of provisions. OF course
they did not have what they are now
receiving at Montauk, but they had
the actual necessaries of life, notwith-
standing the newspaper reports to the
contrary.
Doubtless there were individual
cases of suffering because of the scar
city of supplies at the 'front.' but, as
rule, the men had all that soldiers of
the union army had at times during
the civil war. While the federal
forces were lying in the trenches be-
fore Petersburg they suffered at times
during those seven months for good
food, but, like the heroes before San
tiago, they endured without com
plants.
sit is particularly noticeable" con-
tinued Secretary Alger earnestly,
shat the men who were actually en-
gagged in the Santiago campaign are
not complaining of their treatment. L
about to say hundreds-and not a
breath of complaint did l hear from
any of them. They suffered, they are
suffering yet, but they endured, and
are enduring their trials like Spartans.
There may be individual cases OF COM
plants; it would indeed be strange If
there were not; but as body the
army of General Shafter is not only
satisfied with the situation but i'm
measurably proud of its marvellous
achievements.
"The President was particularly So
licitous about the condition of the
men who are ill. He went to Camp
Wikoff to ascertain for himself
whether the men in the ranks needed
anything that they were not getting.
His orders were that they should want
for nothing, but he desired personally
to know whether these orders were
being carried out.
CATER several hours of patient in
vestigation and caresul examination,
he left the camp satisfied that the men
were being as well cared for as they
could be in a field hospital. He took
no officials word for anything. He
had gone to the camp to see for him
self and his conviction as to the con-
ditions was reached only after he had
come in personal contact with those
conditions"