Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-04
NO ONE is BUAM ED
Secretary Ayers Statement Regarding the
Transport Concha.
Recurrence of Similar Conditions
Will Not he Possfble-Explicit In
structions to Gen. Shafter.

Col. Charles II. Heyl of the inspector gen.
erals office has, returned to Washington
from New York, where he went, at the di-
rection of Secretary Alger, to make an eX-
animation to fix the responsibility of the Of
fetal who sent TIE transport Concha to
New York from Santiago in an unfit condi-
ton for carrying the sick and wounded.
Colonel Heyl reported verbally to Secretary
Alger the result Of his inquiries, but re-
fused to talk for publication
Concerning the unfortunate occurrences
on the ships Concha and Seneca, that
brought home sick and wounded from San
tiago, the Secretary of War has given out
the following statement:
AT the time they left Santiago the gen.
eral desire of cCnvaiescents to come home
doubtless overcrowded both ships. From
the commencing of the Santiago campo gn
Until within few days the terrible condi-
lions on that coast, where our ships had no
shelter, and always with high surf made
the landing of troops. supplies, ammuni-
ton, artillery and medical stores very diff
cult, and there is no doubt much inconven-
fence and suffering were thereby caused
that were unavoidable. The lighters that
went with General Skaters feet were lost
on the way. Two lows of lighters were
subsequently sent, which were also lost
and Ii was Impossible to get supplies ashore
SASepl Win tHS DOdtS from the ShlpS and
those supplied by the navy. Later on a
lighter was furnished 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
Geen anticipated, there was, no doubt. much
privation and suffering, especially among
the sick at Santiago The captains of the
Seneca and Concha did not report to Gen.
eral Shafter or to Quartermaster Humphrey
that they needed water. Had they done so.
OF course it would have Jeti
Then, also, large number of civilians
rushed aboard to get away, and they occu-
pied many state rooms that should have
been given over to th= soldiers. No recur-
renee of such conditions will be possible
hereafter. and no one regrets more than the
Secretary of War that anything of the kind
should have happened. The general COM
handing that army, the surgeon general
ard the quartermaster's and commissary
departments have done the best they could
but unforeseen circumstances named above
prevented the conveniences being provided
that otherwise would nave been furnish ed
Secretary Alger sent the following tele-
gram to General Shafter at Santiago
whenever ii becomes necessary to use
transports for sick or wounded purposes it
should be made the duty of some expert
enced and competent medical officer to see
that only such transports 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, hospital
stores, including delicacies where possible
to obtain them, ice, etc, placed on
board; that a sufficient number of expert
enced medical officers and nurses accom-
p2ny the sick and wounded the voyage:
that there is no overcrowding of the vessel,
but that there are suitable accommodations
for all; that the departure of these ships be
telegraphed to the adjutant general and
surgeon general
A similar dicDatcb wac ,l,, no,,,
r<tnding generals of the army at Porto
Rico and Manila.