The times., 1898-09-05
WIKOFF'S WATER SUPPLY
A Psychological Analysis of
1t Will Be Made.
VIEWS OF GEN. WHEELER
He Is of the Opinion That There In
Little Danger of Typhoid Fever
at the Camp-Disposition of Porto
Ricnn Troops = Transport Rou-
nianin Arrives With coo .den.

Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point Sept A.
Within few days the question of wheth-
er or not this camps water supply con-
tains the germs of typhoid fever will be
settled definitely Lieut. Col. Stuart, of
the regular army medical corps, arrived
ho-e today from Washington, having
been sent for the purpose of making a
complete investigation of the conditions
here, particularly with regard to the wa
ter. Apparatus for meteorological anal
ysis of the water has been shipped here
and as soon as 1t can be put in place the
work will begin.
Lieut.. Col. Smart, who was conducted
about the camp by Gen Wheeler yester-
day. said that he was well pleased witn
fhe appearance of the place If the ap-
paratus arrives tomorrow he hoped To
be able TO make report in the condition
OF the drinking water by Wednesday.
water from all the sources of drinking
supplies will be analyzed so that at the
conclusion of the experiments there will
be no room for doubt Meantime the
new water filters will be put in place and
Will be in working order Tuesday.
Gen. Wheeler has been strong In his
belief all along that there is no danger of
typhoid fever here and that the water is
uncontaminated. He is very glad of Lieut..
Col. Smart's visit
Cen. Wheeler Talks
He is an eminent authority" Gen
wheeler said, in speaking of DR.. Smart.
and whatever he advises about this
camp will be done. shall go about with
him myself visiting the different posts
and wherever he recommends an aItera
ton or Improvement, note will be made
of 1t and the change made"
DO you consider it likely that the
rumors of probable Illness viii result I'm
the camp being abandoned soon?" one of
the reporters asked.
II do not" emphatically replied Gen,
Wheeler. Il be ieve the camp will be con-
tinued until October l, at least. l take
no stock in this talk of typhoid fever.
However, the report viii determine that"
What about Porto Rico troops coming
here?"
ON that point / have received no in
formation yet, but l should say it would
be an excellent place for them. Men of
the life saving station say that du.ing
the latter part OF September gales of
such strength sweep over Montauk Point
that no tent could stand against them
Work on the barracks is being rushed.
however, and it will not be long before
solid shelter will be provided for many
of the regiments"
Increase in Population of Camps
The population of the camp win soon
be increased by the arrival of 450O regu-
lar recruits. as Gen. Wheeler announced
today Tke first arrivals will come from
Fort Mcpherson, and are now on the
way. These recruits will take the place
of sick and weak soldiers.
AS to the impending removal to their
barracks of all the regulars having bar
racks east of the Mississippi River off,
GERS here call attention that this is i'm
practicable for some time as the regi-
ments are on a war footing, and there
will not be room in the barracks for the
increased numbers. In some cases the
Government property will not admit of
the erection of new barracks. So it
seems likely that for time at least
there will be a considerable addition to
the population here, which will be Offset
in time. however, by the constant fur
loughing.
This morning the transport Roumania
came in with 600 men aboard. She sailed
from Santiago on August %, bringing
troops K and L. of the Ninth Massachu-
up of conyalescents of various commands
from the Santiago hospital. There was
no contagious disease aboard.