The times., 1898-12-04
r,e Rlnme 1. Fixed.

The blame Is Fixed.
1t ought to be clear, even to the mnd
of Dr. Connor, of the Alger Relief Com
mission, where the blame rests for the
manifold evils that wasted splendid
| army by preventab!e disease and caus.d
a degree of suffering paraileled only by
that of Napoleon's army in the retreat
| from Moscow. IL. after the testimony OF
| the past fortnight he should still repeat
that he is unable to say who was chiefly
| at fault it would imply something pecu-
liar In his reasoning faculties or an in
disposition to see what is plain TO every
that he could not tell who was rt sp Jnsible
for the failures in the matter of trans. or
| tation and the consequent confusion, de-
privation. exposure. sickness and death.
The last word on The subject seems TO
| have been said by Colonel Charles Bid.
Iii charge of the transportation Division
of the auartermaster generals office
Here was the proper place to look in the
first instance If this official could not
give all possible information, it would be
useless TO search further His failure to
40 so would be his own confession and
condemnation. That it was his particular
business TO know where the blunder or
neglect rested. is apparent from his title.
This official was before the Alger Re-
lief Commission Friday, and the ques-
tion of responsibility was put to him in
| various forms. and finally thus: Whose
business was IT to see that the expedition
was properly provided for-the quarter
master generals, General Miles's. Gener-
al Skaters. or whose?' The reply to this
was that lit was the business of the man
in command of the expedition
Shafter Then persisted the question
er, ''it was the business of the general in
commando" I'VE think 50 IN the army"
1t did not need a formal inquiry to estab-
lish this. Ever since war has been re-
garded as an art or science, 1t has been
the especial care of the commanding gem
eral to make provision for all necessary
pedition TO have positive knowledge that
the matter had received full attention
| This &c ono of the fundamental Drineinles
of military science. But 1t is to be under
stood that Secretary Alger and General
Shafter have both boasted of their con-
tempt for military convent!onalities, of
which this is one of the most important.
OF General Shafter as 4 commander in
the field, we have had a detailed account
in the suppressed letter of Richard Hard
ing Davis, as well as hints and implica-
tions in the letters of other correspond
ents, in the criticisms of military at
taches, in the testimony of Colonel
Roosevelt, and from the comments of Off
/, GERS and soldiers that have reached the
public ear. he was great big failure.
He neglected all precautions, such as an
observation of the country in front of
him-which is military affair of
great importance. He sent his command
into a gap where, when his balloon was
raised above them, they were under a
cruel fire from the shrapnel and bullets
|
and allowed the retreat to become OBJ
structed, to await further orders He
never sent the further orders, being thre.
miles in the rear in a hammock while an
ORDERLY rubbed his inadequate headpiece
mander in the field was added his appall-
ing Indifference or ignorance in the mat
ter above referred to-of proper provisions
for the expedition.
General Shafter was to blame But
/ how did he get into position where he
t could be to blame? He was hardly less
{ surprised than other army officers to ffni
4
i to carry out the scheme to have no hero
e come out of this war to share the glor,
:, of the Administration. To achieve thi.
e end, General Miles was deprived of hi.
3; right and desire to command the expedi
c ton to carry out the campaign he hai
f planned. including everything essential t.
d the welfare and comfort of the army, ths
7 prompt care of the wounded and the sicl
and the prevention of epidemic diseases
n Shafter was the friend of the adiutan
: general-they had served together in
4 minor capacity in the Civil War-and h,
e was product Of Secretary Alger's State
e He had had no practical experience above
n that of a colonel. but it was thought thai
:. by taking General Miiess plan, and witt
e the tefegraphic advice of such amateur
/ generals as the civilian Secretary Of Wal