Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-08
ALGER ON THE ARMY,
HisOWn Views and the Presidents
as to Treatment Of Soldiers,
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SIcKLY CAMPS
II Rests Upon The Oflcers Commaudlnf
Regiments and Companies.
THE MATTER OF MUsTERING our
Regiments That Have been Ordered
Mustered Out VIII he Mustered
Embellishments Ordered TO toRemaiu
In Service VIII Have to Remain.
THE NATTER OF MUsTERING our

WASHINGTON. September 7.--secre-
tary Alger is putting his AFFAIRS in shape
| to admit of his absence from Washington
on tour Of inspection or the army camps
| throughout the country. He Will leave to-
morrow evening going first to Camp
| Meade, Pennsylvania, and thence 70 de-
troit. Now that the active war operations
have closed, the Secretary feels free TO
express certain views entertained by the
President and himself respecting tho
plans for the treatment OF soldiers ana
touching the persons upon whom respon-
sibility should be placed for some OF the
matters OF complaint In this connection
he says
The regiments that have been ordered
mustered out will be mustered out The
regiments that have been designated to
remain in the service will have To re-
main. As soon as we have mustered our
100000, more or less, we shall reorganiza
the army-every brigade, division, ana
corps-and put them into comfortable
camps until such of them as are needed
are Withdrawn for service IN CuDa, Porto
Rico, and the Philippines. I'm THESE camps.
with the experience OF the past TO guide
us, sanitary conditions Will be strictly
enforced. The men composing the army
VIII De treated as soldiers. They viii be
SHOWN every possible consideration. and
their health will be preserved. The oif-
GERS commanding regiments and comma
nles will be held strictly accountable for
the sanitary condition OF the camps
DISREGARD OF INSTRUCTIONS.
Ihey are the ones who should be held
responsible. During the war many Of
these officers disregarded the specific in
lstructions that had been given looking to
the proper care OF their men Now is the
time for them to take this work mon
themselves. and with the knowledge that
they are To remain I'm the service. they
VIII be expected 10 devote their best ener-
sies To the work. Where men are incom-
petent TO discharge these duties they
must give way TO competent men. for
again | wish to make IL clear thar these
company and regimental officers are 10
be held 10 account for the welfare OF their
men.
NOW, word as 10 the feeding OF tho
troops. The army ration is all that Is
necessary for a soldier / hope that thera
VIII be less food given 10 the men from
outside sources. The dainties please tho
taste Of the men. but they are OF no real
help, and only help to breed dissatisfac-
ton. The army ration to-day. as II has
been, and as it will be in the future. Is
sound health diet.
RECKLESSNESS OF YOUTH.
The principal difficulty we have had TO
contend with IS the recklessness Of youth.
In the yig0r of sound health. the Young
men who went TO make up our army could
NOT be Induced TO take proper care OF
themselves.
When regiment is designated 10 be
mustered out. no further appeal will be
allowed to Influence the department TO
change its programme. That order is 90
Ing TO be strictly observed until the
President decides that he can make A
further reduction I'm the army When
5uch reduction IS made there viii be no
discrimination In releasing the troops. IL
Is not possible TO maintain the exact
ratio, because TO do so would be TO divide
'egiments, but the purpose will be 10 treat
all states fairly and as nearly alike as
possible.
iREAT COMPLAINT HOMEsICKNEss
THE great complaint OF the soldiers IS
lomesickness, and "a great deal of this
las been caused Dy lnc0nsiderate publi-
atiOns In the sensational neWspapers
some OF II Is also chargeable 10 the
act that the men entered the army
With the expectation that their service
would be very short. Every experienced
ihcer knows that "A great many men die
4 hOmesickness. Following the depres-
ION that ensues upon Inconsistencies come
ther maladies. 10 which the homeslck
older falls an easy victim. and n IS inn
ossible 10 check their course. Now. 10
ny mind, the American people Should try
D brace up these men, 10 encourage
hem, and cause them 10 remember that
hey are soldiers. and are expected 10
lect soldiers duties. The people OF,
his country should not bc given the
that they have sent 10 Tho
rmy lot or boys unit TO with rtand
ne unavoidable yicissitudes Of camp life.
Some Of the complaints that have been
ubllshed are calculated 10 make tho
merican army appear I'm a poor light to
ne eyes Of the American people and
lso 10 those Of the nations OF the world"
IELD OFFICERS no BE HELD Ac-
EQUITABLE
The Secretary gave earnest assurance
his purpose To carry out strictly the
acision he had announced TO hold field
fcers responsible for the condition OF
ieir men