The herald., 1898-08-09

front for proper distribution; and was
suggested by the chief surgeon as avail
able for the performance of these duties.
Two Days Without Medicines
The exigency of the situation did not ap-
parently appeal to the commanding gen.
eral. and for two days the medical depart
ment was unable to get transportation of
any kind to the other ships or to the shore.
although there were large number of ma
val launches and boats employed on vari-
GUS other duties. On the third day, by
der of the adjutant general one rowboat
was turned over to the medical department
for the purposes above named, and at the
same time an order was issued for land
transportation to carry medical supplies
to the front, mot to exceed one six-mule
team" On getting into this boat with sup
plies from the headquarters transport,
was directed by sundry staff officers to
take them on various errands. On my re-
fusal to recognize their authority, their
commanding general who had appeared on
the scene personally, revoked the previous
order and directed, after the landing of the
supplies already In the boat it should re-
turn without delay.
Hampered on Every Hand
Presenting the order for land Transports
ton to the quartermaster on shore, l was
Informed that only pack mules had as yet
landed; that neither wagon nor harness
had been brought ashore, and finally that
the road was impassablee for wagons. After
this boat had been taken away the chief
surgeon was without any means of commu-
nication with the medical officers on shore
or still on transports. of finding out their
wants or of remedying the many already
known to him. This condition of things re-
manned unit latter the fight at La Quasi
ma, al which time there were absolutely
no dressings, hospital tentage or supplies
of any kind on shore within reach of the
surgeons already landed. The news of the
La Quasina fight being reported to the
chief surgeon, he was finally able to get on
board the Olivette and send her to Siboney.
where she received the wounded.
The Red Cross Abused
With regard to the Red Cross society, it
would seem as if the lofty purposes of this
great organization were, on the Santiago
expedition, subverted to individual inter-
ests. While at Tampa the Red Cross ship
State of Texas was formally placed under
the control of the chief surgeon, Fifth
corps, by DR.. Egan. the representative Of
the society, he acting under Geographic
instructions to that effect. Colonel Pope
accepted this offer and directed that the
State of Texas accompany the expedition
of General Shafter to its destination. AL
though this order was fully understood by
Dr. Egan, the State of Texas did not ac~
company the expedition. nor did it arrive
at Siboney until the forces had been landed.
battle fought and our hospitals estab-
lished and in working order.
Praise for the Nurses
The first offers made by this society dealt
largely in generalities and manifested re-
luctance to subordinate the organization
to the medical department. Too much
praise cannot be given to the individual ef-
forts of DR.. Lesser and the Red Cross
nurses. Their work was untiring and un-
selfish and the assistance rendered by them
was of great value.
In conclusion, it is desired to emphasize
the fact that the lamentable conditions pre-
vailing in the army before Santiago were
due to the military necessity which threw
troops on shore and away from the posi-
bility of supply, without medicines, instru-
ments, dressings or hospital stores of any
kind. Very respectfully,
EDWARD L. MUNSON.
Captain and Assistant Surgeon U. 8. A.
Why the Truth Is Told
WASHINGTON, Aug. S.-The issuance
of the statement from General Shafter was
the sequence of conference held at the
White House this afternoon between the
the President, Secretary Alger and Sec
rotary Long. 1t was felt that the state
ments made as to the condition of troops
at Santiago might create grave impress
sion abroad. While the statement as Is
sued was brief, it occupied almost an hour
ir it's construction, 1t being felt that the
utmost precaution was essential at the
present stage of the negotiations between
this country and Spain, which had been felt
to at least be impeded by the knowledge
of the serious conditions revealed in the