The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-18

sion Qld not hOld q session TO-DAY, out
devoted the time to preparation for the
tour of the army camps, which begins
tomorrow.
The commission will leave Washing
ton at about 4 o'clock p. m. tomorrow,
going to Jacksonville, Fla, where they
are scheduled to arrive about noon
Monday. They propose going direct to
the military camp there, where they
Will take the testimony of officers, men
and others who can throw light upon
the conduct of the war, giving especial
attention to complaints that appear to
have foundation.
From Jacksonville the commission ex-
poets to visit in order: Tampa, At
lanta, Admission, Huntsville, Chatta-
nOOga, Knoxville, Lexington and Mid
dletoWn, Penn, where Camp Meade is
located Later, they will go to Camp
Wikoff, on Long Island. It is thought
the sou--,rn tour will consume two to
three weeks, and possibly longer, as it
is the intention of the commission to
make 4 very thorough inquiry at all
points. They will travel on a special
train furnished by the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. The train will in
Clude dining coach and sleeping and
parlOr cars for the accommodation of
the entire party, which will number
fifteen persons in addition to the nine
members of the commission.
SURGEON SEAMAN CONTRA
DICTED.
Surgeon General ~Sternberg today
sent the following to the commission
r. ~ nrtt ,n - Tho x.a - apn r+ IN -
relates to a statement made by Major
seaman who testified before the com
mission Yesterday:
Army Building,
New York City, October IA.
Dear General; Major Seaman, sur
geon Of the First volunteer engineers
made a statement to reporters in my
presence, and it was published broad
cast. hat he received nothing but trav-
el rations from the army for his con-
vaIscents on the Obdam and that he
depended on the Red Cross Society and
National War Relief Association for
their food. Major Bradley has just
sent me the enclosed copy of a receipt
given to him before the OLDHAM starr
ed. Very sincerely yours,
ID. NJ. APPEL,
Major and Surgeon, L. s. A"
The receipt shows that Major Sea-
man received on September 2Sth from
Major Bradley IS cases canned goods,
Il bottles Whiskey, 4 barrels ginger ale,
1 box corn starch, / barrel jellies, 4
boxes condensed milk, 2 boxes clam
broth, 2 boxes salteen crackers, , boxes
lemons. , boxes calves-feet jelly, ,
boxes crackers, 60 pounds ~drrOwrOOt, !
quart SQUibb mixture, . bottdes bis
muth sUhEallgate.
GENERAL OTIS SANITARY RE
PORT.
\ cableEram was received at the war
department today from General Otis,
reporting five deaths among the Amer
lean soldiers at Manila since October
10th.
OPPOSES A RED CROSS HOSPITAL.
Surgeon General Sternberg has
written a letter to Mrs. Winthrop Cow
din. of New York, regarding the es-
adjustment Of a Red Cross hospital in
Cuba and Porto Rico, in which he
says:
Il have received your kind letter of
October 18th, enclosing a check for
$4,000 for my special fund for extra
comfort and uXuries for our sick and
wounded soldiers. Accept my sincere
hanks for this liberal contribution.
Il do not think f~avorably of the es-
adjustment of a hospital in Cuba or
Porto Rico by the Red Cross Society
I'h III 0AA'Ct NAiN liz "tl 10 WV
and the garrisons which are to be sta
toned in these islands will require a
fully equipped hospital, which it is the
duty of the government to provide and
which it Intends to provide.
Il appreciate very highly the valuable
assistance which has been rendered by
the Red Cross Society. but I think it
would be demoralizing to our medical
officers and to the service generally if
we hould continue to depend upon the
contributions and voluntary assistance
of patriotic citizens for the care of our
sick in the Islands which have come
into our possession
NEEDED REPAIRS ON THE
BROOKLYN.
\ special naval board appointed to
investigate the repairs necessary to
the Brooklyn, Admiral Schley's flag
ship, because of damages sustained in
the battle which destroyed Cervera's
fleet, finds that the principal injury to
the Brooklyn was caused by the en-
trance and explosion on the berth deck
of a 6-irch shell. shot holes in three
smoke stacks and two escape pipes.
shot hole through hammock netting.
injury to after engine ventilator by
6-inCh projectile, three 1-pounder shot
through the plating and a hole in for
ward deck.
TO ISSUE RATIONS TO FOOD SUI
FERERS.
\ telegram was received tonight
from the president saying that in view
of the opinion Of the acting attorney
general. the secretary Of war was en-
powered to issue rations TO the desti-
tute flood sufferers of Georgia. Cen
cral Alger directed Commissary Gen
eral Egan to issue 1000 rations to the
fnN1 c,1fr,rayS an6 nr1hrS NNhTn tplN-
graphed to cOmmissary officers easy
of access to points along the Georgia
coast where the greatest distress pre-
walls. They were instructed to act
promptly, and it is expected here that
the actual distribution of relief sup
plies will begin within the next few
hours.
WISH TO STAY IN THE ARMY.
The secretary of war received a call
tonight from Adjutant Campbell, of the
Second Pennsylvania volunteer infant