The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-22
GEN. ALGER FIXES THE BLAME.
COMMANDING OFFICERS RESPONSE
BILE For CAMPS CONDITION.

Secretary AlGer Inspects Camp Po-
land and Addresses Officers, Sol
diers and Citizens-DecIares That
the True Condition of Chickamau-
ga Was Never Transmitted to the
War DepaRtment-Outside Reports
Were Considered ExaGgeratiOns.
War Department Has Always Been
Ready to Supply Soldiers Wants.
Secretary AIger and Party Goes to
Chattanooga.
Knoxville Tenn, Sept. 21.-The Secre-
tary of War, who to-day inspected Camp
Poland and reviewed the enlisted men en-
camped there, made a speech to the COM
manding officers at Gen. McKee's head
quarters during the morning in which he
fixed the blame for the sickness in the
different camps throughout the country on
the commanding officers.
Secretary Alger was given an enthusi-
astic reception by the citizens of Knox
vile and by the commanding officer of the
camp on his arrival He went from the
depot direct to the camp, and shortly af-
terwards, accompanied by his staff and
the officers of the camp, the secretary
rode over to the drill field and inspected
the troops.
He then reviewed the parade arranged in
his honor, and afterwards made a speech
TO the commanding officers.
He next visited the hospitals and regi-
mental quarters, and made a thorough in
epectlon of the condition of the camp and
man Con Aloar oOporo f,,1oto1 CO. NJ
Kee on the splendid condition of his camp
and of the troops. He expressed satisfac-
ton with the location of the camp and
showing made by the men. The parade
at Camp Poland was witnessed by an i'm
mense concourse of people.
The commands in review were: Second
Ohio, Third North Carolina, Sixth Vir-
ginla, Sixth Ohio, First West Virginia,
First Georgia, Fourth Tennessee and
Thirty-f1rst Michigan.
After the review Gen. Alger asked that
the commanding officers assemble at Gen.
McKee's headquarters, and at the lat
ter's tent on the high eminence overlook
ing Camp Poland on the one side and
Knoxville on the other, the Secretary was
surrounded by the officers and the Knox
vile citizens committee. He removed
his hat and In a delicate and careful man.
ner of speech said:
Il came here to visit this camp for the
purpose of acquainting myself with the
conditions and to see for myself just how
the troops are faring and to hear from
the officers any recommendations that
they may think will benefit the camp.
I want to hear what the commanders
have TO say about division and regimental
hospital more especially. There has been
a great deal of talk about the conditions
OF the camps and hospitals.
Il want to say that had the war depart
ment been acquainted with the conditions
said to have existed at Chickamauga, the
troops there would have been moved long
before they were.
I'VE received only good reports at
Washington from the commanding officers
and it was supposed that the outside re-
ports were exaggerated.
The commanders of camps are respon-
sible for the condition of their camp, and
II the men are not well cared for, and
II the hospital and sanitary conditions
are bad, the commanding officer must an
sWer for it,
The war department has been and is
ready to supply the demands of the troops
for medicines and sustenance, and there
IS no reason why conditions other than
the best possible should exist"
Secretary Alger and party left for Chat
tanooga at 4 o'clock