The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-04
CASE Of The CoNCHo
ORDERS ISSUED TO PREVENT A
REPETITION OF BLUNDERS
VERY POOR EXPLANATIONS
Of Conditions for Which Some One
Should Be Punished-Captains
Did Not Ask for Water
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, Aug. 3.-Col. Charles
Heyl of the inspector generals office, has
returned to Washington from New YORK
where he went at the direction OF Secretary
Alger to make an examination to fix the
responsibility of the official who sent the
transport Concho to New York from San
tiago in an unfit condition for carrying the
sick and wounded.
After Colonel Heyl had reported to the
war department Secretary Alger made the
following statement concerning the Con-
cho, as we'll as the Seneca, which reached
New York two weeks ago:
Concerning the unfortunate occur
repces on the ships Concho and Seneca.
that brought some sick and wounded from
Santiago, the secretary of war gives out
the following statement, after careful
investigation:
"At the time they left Santiago the gen.
eral desire of the convalescents 10 come
home doubtless overcrowded both ships.
From the commencing of the Santiago
campaign until within few days ago. ter
rible conditions on the coast, where our
ships had no shelter and where there was
always a high surf. made the landing of
troops, supplies, ammunition, artillery
and medical stores very difficult and there
is no doubt much inconvenience and suffer-
ing was thereby caused that was unavoid-
able.
'"The lighters that went with General
Skaters fleet were lost on the way Two
lows of lighters were subsequently sent
which were also lost and it was impossible
to get supplies ashore except with the
boats from the ships and those supplied
by the navy. Later on lighter was fur
nished by the navy which was the only
one there for many days. On account of
the great number of sick and wounded,
which was in excess of what had been an
ticipated. there was no doubt much suffer-
ing, especially among the sick at Santiago.
Captains Censured
1.-THE captains of the Seneca and Concho
did not report to General Shafter nor to
Quartermaster Humphrey that they
needed water. Had they done so of course
1t would have been provided. Then also
large numbers of civilians rushed aboard
to get away and they occupied many state
rooms that should have been given over to
soldiers. No recurrence of such conditions
will be possible hereafter and no one re-
grets more than the secretary of war that
anything of the kind should have hap
pened.
1.-THE general commanding that army,
the surgeon general. the quartermasters
and commissary departments have done
the best they could but unforeseen circum-
stances named above prevented the con-
veniences being provede that otherwise
would have been furnished"
Nrdorc IN Chof%ev
Secretary Alger, who is determined that
no further trouble of the kind shall occur.
II in his power to prevent it, sent the fol-
lowing telegram to General Shafter at San
tiago:
"WheneveY 1t becomes necessary to use
transports for sick or wounded purposes it
should be made the duty of some ex-
perienced and competent medical officer
to see that only such transports as are in
good sanitary condition and are best suited
for the purpose are selected; that the water
supply on board is ample in quantity and
wholesome in quality; that sufficient sup
plies of food, medicines dressings, hos
pital stores, including delicacies where
possible to obtain them ice ETC., are placed
on board; that sufficient number of ex-
perienced medical officers and nurses ac-
company the sick and wounded on the voy-
age; that there Is no overcrowding Of the
vessel but that there are suitable accom-
modations for all; that the departure OF
these ships be telegraphed TO the adjutant
general and surgeon general"
A similar dispatch was sent to the COM
handing generals of the army at Porto
Rico and Manila