The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-27
TO LOOK INTO IT.
Surgeon General Sternberg Will In
vestigate the Seneca Story


New York July 27.-Surgeon General
Sternberg of the United States army held
an extended conference with a number Of
army and contract surgeons in the medi-
cal supply depot at the army building,
among them being Lieutenant Colonel ].
Morris Brown, Major Torney of the hospi-
tai ship Relief Major William Arthur and
DR.. Doty of the health board.
The conference was devoted almost en-
tirely to the discussion of special regula-
lions to be adopted with regard to the ar
rival and departure of transports and it
was decided to put troopships under the
same medical restrictions as those apply
ing to merchant vessels.
When seen after the conference General
Sternberg said he had come to this city
to inspect the Relief and see what ar
engagements had been made for the care
of the wounded at the various city hOspi-
tails. He said he would also make a close
inspection of Montauk point during the
day, with a view to deciding upon its
suitability as a place for an army camp.
AS to the alleged mismanagement on
board the transport Seneca, which brought
a number of wounded soldiers from Cuba,
the surgeon general said he intended to
make the matter the subject of special
inquiry. He wanted it understood that
he had nothing to do with the disposition
of the wounded in Cuba or the transports,
as that duty devolved entirely on the COM
handing general or on some one depu-
tized by the latter for that especial pur-
pose. He declared, however, that the re-
port that the Seneca had received no med
icines or supplies from the Relief was
entirely untrue.
4 received a report from DR.. Hicks of
the Seneca Surgeon General Sternberg
said, land he says that he procured from
the Relief a supply of pills, quinine, gauze,
antiseptc bandages, beef tea, matted milk
tablets and a number of other articles.
None of the wounded men, I understand.
was in a serious condition, although some
Cubans and immunes on board the Seneca
We're quite SICK
General Sternberg boarded the Relief
and expressed himself highly pleased with
the appearance and arrangements of that
vessel THE work done on this boat he
said, reflects great deal of credit on
her officers and the department, and if
the government had more ships of this
character, our floating hospital system
would be the finest and most perfectly
equipped in the world
Later General Sternberg made an ad-
ditionaI statement regarding his investi-
cation of the Seneca affair. He said he
had instructed those concerned to report
to him in detail all they knew about the
matter and when the reports came in he
would know upon whom to lay the blame
for any fault that might be discovered.
LAS understan it, he continued, the
Seneca had just discharged a cargo of
cOmmissary stores at Santiago when the
hospital department received the Informal
ton that in accordance with General
Skaters communication to General Toral
fighting on sea and land might begin the
next day. 1t was expected therefore,
that there would be perhaps several hun
dred wounded on the surgeons hands,
and as the Seneca had cabin accommoda-
tions she was asked how many wounded
she could take. She replied that she had
room for As, but only 43 were sent on
board.
Later number of Cubans and foreign
naval and military officers went on board
and helped themselves to the best accom-
modations they could find. OF course this
was wrong, and if Drs. Hicks and Baird
knew it they should not have allowed it,
as none but the wounded should have been
permitted on board. I have not yet learn
ed, however, who is responsible for this
mismanagement."