The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-04
TRYING TO EXCUSE IT
Secretary Alg er's Explanation
of the Concha Affair.
OVERCROWDED THE SHIPS
The Suffering of the Sick and Wounded
Was Unavoidable Under the Cir
cumstances, but 1t VIII Not
Happen Again.

Washington Aug. 3.-Colonel Charles
HeyI Of the inspector generals office
has returned to Washington from New
York. where he went at the direction OF
Secretary Alger to make an examina-
ton to fix the responsibility of the OFF,
clal who sent the transport Concho to
New York from Santiago in condition
unfit for carrying the sick and wounded.
After Colonel Heyl had reported to the
war department, Secretary Alger made
the following statement concerning the
Concho. as well as the Seneca. which
reached New York about two weeks
ago:
Concerning the unfortunate occur
rences on the ships Concho and Seneca.
that brought home sick and wounded
from Santiago, the secretary OF war
gives out the following statement after
a careful investigation.
at the time they left Santiago the
general desire of the convalescents to
come home doubtless overcrowded both
ships. From the commencing of the
Santiago campaign until with in few
days the terrible conditions on that
coast. where our ships had no shelter
and where there was always a high
surf, made the landing OF our troops.
supplies, ammunition. artillery and
medical stores very difficult, and there
is no doubt much inconvenience and
suffering was thereby caused that was
unavoidable. The lighters that went
with General Skaters fleet were lost on
the way. Two tows of lighters were
subsequently sent. which were also lost.
and IL was also impossible to get sup
plies ashore, except with the boats from
the ships and those supplied by the
navy. Later on a lighter was furnished
=. he .naIxr
there for many days. on account OF
the great number of sick and wounded,
which was in excess of what had been
anticipated. there was no doubt much
suffering, especially among the sick at
Santiago. The captains of the Seneca
and Concho did not report TO General
Shafter nor to Quartermaster Hum
phrey that they needed water. Had
they done so. of course Ii would have
been provided. Then. also, large
number of civilians rushed aboard to
get away and they occupied many
staterooms that should have been given
over to the soldiers.
mo recurrence OF such conditions
will be possible hereafter. and no one
regrets more than the secretary of war
that anything of the kind should have
happened The general commanding
that army, the surgeon general and the
quartermasters and commissary de-
could. but Unforeseen circumstances
named above prevented the conven-
fences being provided that otherwise
would have been furnished"
Secretary Alger made the statement
that no further trouble of the kind
shall occur. IL in his power 10 prevent
it, He sent this telegram to san
tiago:
Whenever II becomes necessary to
use transports for sick or wounded
purposes il shall be made the duty OF
some experienced and competent medi-
cal officer TO see that only such trans
ports as are in good sanitary condi-
ton and are best suited for the purpose
are selected; that the water supply on
board Is ample in quantity and whole
| some in quality; that sufficient supplies
| of food medicines. dressings, hospital
| stores. including delicacies. where pos
! sible to obtain them, ice. etc, are placed
! on board: that a sufficient number OF
| experienced medical officers and nurses
| accompany the sick and wounded on
| the voyage: that there is no overcrowd-
| ing of the vessel. but that there are
| suitable accommodations for all; that
| the departure of the ships be tele-
graphed to the adjutant general and
surgeon general" -f
A similar dispatch was sent to the
commanding generals Of the army at
Porto Rico and Manila.