New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-05
RPINC THEM HOME.

Tho roundrobln addressed to General Smarter
br his division and brigade commanders reveals
n situation which the War Department oficla's
say they had already anticipated. and asks Tor
relief which they say is already being prepared
II cannot he sent a day too soon, and TOO mnch
vigilance cannot be used to protect our soldiers
still Mt Santiago from being subject TO the snf-
ferlnc while on their homeward voyage that
those already brought back were compelled 10
endure The wounded and sick on the Seneca
the Concho and the Santiago, which. 1t Is re-
ported. has Just arrived at Edgemont Key In as
friahtful condition as the other two, were VIC
Tins of Unforeseen circumstances" Those CIR
cumstances are now no longer unforeseen. The
misery which came from lack of adequate prep
aration and supervision on those ships Is no"
fully understood and the Secretary Of war
says no one regrets what happened more IMAM
he and promises that mo recurrence OF s'ich
conditions will be possible hereafter. so 'her'
is reason to hope that transportation al ohcc
speeiy adequate and comfortable may DE pro-
vlded to rescue our langushing troops ana cs
tablish them In healthful surroundings on our
own coast. -,
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt Is credited WIFI
having taken the initiative In making repreSeh
tatons which put any delay In this matter out
of the question. If the rOundrobin was que ~
his efforts then his well-known aggressive ac
tiyity has been of good service to his feiio"-
soldiers Certainly his letter to General smarter
dencts the situation of the men In way that
cannot fail to awaken new. appreciation oil
them. and general sentiment that, win me
war N its present stage. nothing should take
precedence to work for their relief. NOBODY
w.bo knows what difficulties our Army faced TT
Santiago and how brnvely it fought Will Tor an
instant doubt the truth Of his statement: III
there were any object in keeping us mere VIC
would face yellow fever with as much .hdincr
".nce rs we face bullets" The protest Is only
AGAINST useless waste of strength and life. Inc
Immune regiments are sufficient for garrison
duty. and the other troops are idle. ma. "P
pears also to he the view In Washington, whcre
instruction had been issued for camping IN Inc
interior. but this, Colonel Roosevelt points out
Is worse than useless, for every shit'lng Oh
..camp doubles the sick rate in our preseh'
| weakened condition. and, anyhow, the interior
'ls rather worse than the coast. as nave louh"
"by actual reconnaissance. Our present camps
ARE as healthy as any camps at this end OF the
island can be-
Therefore the need Of Immediate attention 10
the work of bringing the men out OF the PEST
hole from which, he says. It would have been IN
fnitely better il they had been moved TWO
weeks ago. from which they can he moved now
with safety, while every days delay weakens
the men, The whole country will agree WITH
Colonel Roosevelt that 1t cannot see our men,
.who have fought so bravcly and who have en-
"dured extreme hardship and danger so I'M
"complainlngly. 60 to destruction without striv-
ling to avert doom rs 'eariu' d" IL 10
unnecessary and undeserved."
Ship every man who ia not needed ana VINO
Is able to travel home at once. and ship nm
home with due regard to his health and COM
fort,