The record-union., 1898-09-04
AN INFAMOUS CRUSADE.

The statement given to the Associ-
ated Press by Major General Joseph
Wheeler from the headquarters at
Camp Wikoff, Long Island and pub
1ished yesterday in such papers as are
not engaged in Systematically suppress
ing truth and publishing falsehoods, is
a most perfect expose Of the infamous
work being done by the sensational
press Of the country. Finding that the
successful conduct Of the war and its
glorious conclusion was likely to fix the
Republican party firmly in the affec-
fions of the people, the Democratic poll
ficians and press commenced deter
mined onslaught upon the Administra-
tion. Every privation, and even incon-
venience, to which the soldier was sub
jected as the natural and inevitable re-
suit of war was magnified into horrify-
ing tales of starvation, suffering and
death. These false statements have
been so persistently put before the pub
lie that they have aroused the country
to a high pitch of Indignation Even
those who know that the stories are,
many Of them, false, and all of them
exaggerated, say: well. where there
is so much smoke there must be some
fire" The truth is that this smoke has
been created for a political purpose. as
is demonstrated completely as often as
Investigations are made. The report of
General Boynton on the state of affairs
at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga. and
the statement just made by General
Wheeler prove the utter falsity of
these sensational reports, so far as
the camps are concerned, and Cen
eral Skaters account Of the San
tiago campaign, published since his
return, show that the hardships
endured by the soldiers in Cuba
We're the natural result Of the condi-
1ions of climate and weather.
The infamy of this vicious newspaper
work is clearly pointed out by General
Wheeler. These sensational reports
have caused more suffering in the
homes of the country than has been
endured by the soldiers in field and
camp. The relatives and friends of SOL
diers have been worked up into frenzy
by these false stories, and hundreds Of
them who could III afford to do so have
rushed off to the camps to see what
could be done for their friends and
upon arrival there have found them
we'll cared for in every instance, enjoy
ing every luxury that the great wealth
OF the nation and the generous heart Of
the American people could supply. Of
course they found many of them sick
and suffering from the effects Of the
fever contracted in Cuba, but Were sur
prised to find them surrounded with
everything TO eat which money can buy
and, if in the hospital, given every care
and attention.
Every American who cares to know
the truth should read the statement
made by General Wheeler. 1t diseloses
the truth in regard to the conditions at
the camp at Montauk Point, and at
the same time shows the great wrong
done not only to the Administration
but to the soldiers, their relatives, and
the whole people, by these Infamous
stories General Wheeler states posi-
lively that he has heard no word Of
complaint coming from the gallant SOL
diers in whose name all this outcry has
been raised by designing politicians
and the sensational anti-Adulinistra-
tion press. No politician or newspaper
in this country will have the hardihood
TO question the veracity OF General
Wheeler.
We trust that the President will order