The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-10
THERE 5 No FRICTION
Shafter Says, Between Him
and Miles,
MATTER OF INVESTIGATION
Is Before the Cabinet, But
There Are Difficulties.
NATTER OF INVESTIGATION

secretary A!Ser ana General smarter were
at the camp today. They witnessed a
parade of the troops and made a hurried
tour Of the camp. General Alger resumed
his journey at noon to Detroit and Cen
eral Shafter went to Washington They
were closeted together an hour this morn
ing in the secretary's private car, which
was run onto siding at Camp Meade
station. While General Graham was ar
ranging for the review. Secretary Alger
and General Shafter had another confer
ence lasting thirty minutes. What passed
between them neither would say, except
Chat 1t was private affair. General
Shafter said the secretary was a very
dear friend and that they had been in
the civil war together as colonies. He is
at work on his report of the Santiago
campaign and expects TO complete it to-
morrow. Speaking Of the controversy with
| General Miles ne said:
| 1t IS all pOppycock. There Is no fric-
ton getween General Miles and myself.
At least there was not when he left San
tiago. Our relations have always been
| pleasant and I do not understa the
meaning Of all this talk. The general
may have been talking but believe that
much Of it is due to antagonistic news
| papers whose motives are certainly not
| patriotic"
Secretary Alger is accompanied by Mrs
! Alger and their son, Captain Fred Alger
! who is suffering from camp fever and was
! too weak to witness the review.
General Shafter brought with him his
aide. Major Miles, and a little Cuban boy
whom he took a fancy to while in San
tiago and adopted Generals Alger and
Shafter were driven to General Graham's
headquarters in an open carriage with
Colonel Hecker and Major Hopkins, spe-
cial aides to the secretary. After being
received by General Graham and his staff.
the secretary was asked IL he would like
review. He said he would, and his en-
tire corps of 10000 troops was massed in
two great fields and marched before Cen
eral Graham and staff and his distin-
gulshed guests. It was an inspiring sight
and Secretary Alger and General Shafter
were very much pleased. Both said they
were delighted with the camp and the
superb arrangements. Secretary Alger
complimented Chief Surgeon Girard on
the sanitary condition Of the camp and
gave directions to extend the water sys-
tenn to the general and regimental hos
pitals He said 1t was too early to de-
termin whether this would be made a per- |
manent barracks and he would have to
know more about the climate and its eff
feet upon the boys before ne established a |
permanent rendezvous
When asked what he had to say about |
the criticism of the war department the |
secretary replied that the people have no |
idea of the great task of equipping and |
sending an army across the water.
The war department" he added. tasks
no favors; all it wants and expects is fair
treatment
General Shafter was delighted with the
appearance and condition of the men at
Camp Meade and said it was an ideal
location. He expects to meet General
Miles tomorrow in Washington. He said
the Santiago campaign was one of the
most successful in history. His army was
in a 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
other army than that Of Spain.
The general hospitals have sent nearly
all their patients to hospitals through the
state and the attendants are having a
breathing spell, for the first time since
they came to camp.
THE INVESTIGATION QUESTION.
Washington, Sept. 9-The question of
investigation of the administration of the
war department and the question Of ap-
pointment Of commissioners to conduct
the investigation was gone over at to-
days cabinet meeting. Whether the pres
ident viii direct the investigation depends
upon his ability to find men for the COM
mission in whom there will be such uni
versal approval that their verdict will be
accepted in advance as a Just determi-
nation of the subject If such men can
be found. then the president will name
them and order the investigation: if they
cannot be found then the investigation
VIII not occur. L is felt to be essential
as a prerequisite to the commission. that
a membership shall he secured which VIII /
command general approval Some names '
were mentioned but a conclusion was not
reached on any Of them. The Niles I
Alger controversy IS distinct from the in
vestisa:ion Of the war department. which
WAS not referred 70 at the cabinet meet
ing.
MILES At THE WHITE HOUSE.
General Miles. accompanied by Colonel {
NUchler OF his staff. called at the White
House shortly before the cabinet meet
ng began. Tire general wore n fatigue ,
Uniform. showing the two-starred epau- =
cites of a general At the time Of his ,
lrr!va! the president was comforting with
Justice Harlan. Senator Allison and other .
'allers. General Niles and Colonel Mich ,
er were shown into the cabinet ante :
Dom and there the president Joined them. ;
sxcusing himself from The other callers.
The meeting between the presiden. and
general was comparatively
1riet lasting about five minutes. as tae
,abinet meeting was about to be-ln
Il was rot in the nature Of a conference.
Turing which questions relating to the -,
var were discussed but was ttat formal D.
al Of respect usual or the RETURN Of a
l;Eh official. The conference for more
extended discussion OF war affairs doubt
ess Will como later although K was said I
,f,er the call that no exact time had been :
liked for further meeting. General Miles
lad ro5hinE 20 say before or after the :
ALI He was greeted with 4 round OF :
applause as lie left the White House.
pushing his way through the dense crowd
awaiting the review Of returning District
II Columbia troops.