Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-10
Is DELIGHTED.
Secretary A!ger Pleased With
Camp Meade.
A Grand Review Of 10000 Troops
Held by Him, Friday.
.war Department Wants and Expects Fail
Treatment" Says Soc. Alser.

Camp Meade, Middletown, Pa, Sept
9-Secretary of War Alger and Gen
Shaftcr were at Camp Meade, today
They witnessed a review of the troops
and made hurried tour of the camp
Gen. Alger resumed his journey al
noon to Detroit and Gen. Smarter weni
to Washington.
They were closeted together for ar
hour. this morning, in the secretary's
private car which was run on to q
siding at Camp Mead station. While
Gen. Graham was arranging for the
review. Secretary Alger and Gen. Shat
ter had another conference lasting 81
minutes. Gen. Shafter said the secre.
tary was a very dear friend and tha
they had been in the Civil War to.
gether as coionels. He is at work or
his report of the Santiago campaign
and expects to complete it tomorrow
Speaking Of the controversy with Gen
Miles, he said:
TT is all poppy cock. There is M
friction between Gen. Miles and my.
self. At least there was not when ht
left Santiago. Our relations have al.
ways been pleasant and l do not un-
derstand the meaning of all this talk
The general may have been talking
but believe much of it is due to an
tagonistic newspapers whose motives
are certainly not patriotic"
Secretary Alger is accompanied by
Mrs. Alger and their son, Captain Fred
Alger, who is suffering from camr
fever and was too weak to witness the
review. Gen. Shafter brought with him
his aide, Major Miley and little Gu
ban boy, whom he took a fancy to
while in Santiago and adopted. Gener-
ais Alger and Shafter We're driven to
Gen. Graham's headquarters in an
open carriage with Colonel Hecker and
Major Hopkins. special aids to the sec
rotary.
After being received by Gen. Graham
and his staff. the secretary was asked
If he would like a review. He said he
would, and the entire corps of 10000
troops was massed in two great fields
and marched before Gen. Graham and
his distinguished guests.
1t was an inspiring sight and Secre-
terry Aiger and Gen. Shafter were very
much pleased. Both said they were
delighted with the camp and the SUI
perb arrangements.
Secretary Alger complimented Chief
Surgeon Girard on the sanitary condi-
ton of the camp and gave directions to
extend the water system to the general
and regimental hospitals.
Gen. Alger will spend a week at his
home in Detroit, after which he will
make tour of all the camps. begin
ming at Cincinnati and going toLexing-
ton, Knoxville, Chattanooga and as far
south as Jacksonville.
When asked what he had to say
about the criticism of the war depart
ment. the secretary replied that the
people have no idea of the great task
of equipping and sending an army
across the waters. THE war depart
ment." he added, asks no favors; all
it wants and asks is fair treatment"
Gen. Shafter was delighted with tha
appearance and condition of the men
at Camp Meade and said it was an
ideal location. He expects to meet
Gen. Miles. tomorrow, in Washington.
He said. the Santiago campaign was
one of the most successful in history.
His army was in position where he
could not retreat and it was necessary
to force the fighting. Many chances
were taken which would not have been
taken in the face of any army than
that of Spain.
The 22d Kansas left camp. today. for
Fort LeavenwOrth, for muster out.