The Mena star., 1898-09-07
ABOUT CAMP WIKOFF
Alger Talks About Its Health Con-
ditions and Hospital Service.
Ixe Says the HardHhips or the Santiago
Campaign Causes All the suffering and
Deaths-Everyrhm Possible Be-
ing Done for the Men.

" aSnlnRJO ton, S&ph D. -Secre tarV Al
ger, who returned late Saturday night
from New York after his inspection
tour through Camp Wikoff at Montauk
point with President Mckinley and
several of the bureau officials of the
war department. commented last night
upon the conditions of the camp and
stated the results9of his visit The
secretary said:
Ifeel certain. after careful examination of
Camp Wikof and Thorough investigation OF
its conditions, that eveHsthng possible is be-
ing done for the men, both sick and well. who
are detained there The camp is an admirable
one--the best, think. i ever saw. The site is
IDEAL tits beautiful without being picturesque
and is certainly as healthful camp location
as could be found In the eastern country
While the conditions are as good as could
reasonably be expected In the circum-
stanccs-even better THAI ever knew them to
be in camp-a shade Of gloom is cast over the
encampment by the physical condition OF the
men. Sickness, suffering und death mar what
would otherwise be magnificent military pic
turc These conditions, however ere not the
result of the situation 0f the camp itself but
OF the terrible campaign through which the
troops passed. That campaign at Santiago
will be memorable in she military history OF
the world Il was wonderful both In its con-
duct and In the results accomplished Few
military experts expected when the campaign
was inaugurated that such success could be
achieved in so short d time. 1t was u tremen-
dous undertaking to begin campaign In
tropical country during the rainy season
against position naturally so strong and so
well defended as was Santiago That success
was achieved SO soon and with loss compara-
lively so small is due to the energy and ability
OF Gen. Shafter and his commanding officers
und tn be 1aCh brau and der,iap Rvl,
qualities Of the men of Gen. Skaters corps
talked with Cen Shafter and he discussed
some Of the obstacles which had TO be over
come in the Santiago campaign. He said that
when he arrived in Cuba and realized the con-
ditions that confronted him and his men, he
knew that the campaign must OF necessity be
one OF days rather than OF weeks and months
He had lost nearly all his lighters and was
thus seriously Handicapped in effect
ing landing OF both his troops
and the stores and supplies which
the feet carried The tremendous rains which
set in Immediately after his arrival rendered
it next to impossible for either the troops or
supplies to be gotten forward. He felt how
ever that whatever were the dificultias. he
must press forward and if possible end the
campaign in the briefest time The climatic
conditions were such that to lose any time
meant the destruction of his command by ILL
ness and the consequent failure of the expedi-
tion. He took no chances on delays, therefore,
but swept his gallant army upon the Spanards
with such irresistible dash that victory was
won almost before the Spaniards themselves
realized what they had to encounter
1t is perfectly evident now that had Gen.
Shafter waited until his army and its supplies
could have been sent forward, with binary
deliberation. the expedition against Santiago
would have failed utterly. In measure it
was his disregard for military conventionali-
ties that enabled him to carry tho campaign to
brilliantly successful issue. 1t is particularly
notable that the men who were actually en-
gagged in the Santiago campaign arc not COM
planning of their treatment / talked with
scores of then-I was about saying hundreds
and not a breath of complaint did hear from
any of them. They suffered, they are suffer-
ing yet. but they endured and are enduring
their trials like -Spartans. There may be in
dlvidual cases OF Complaints 1t would indeed
be strange II there were not; but as a body the
army OF Gen. Shafter is not only satisfied with
the situation but immeasurably proud OF its
marvellous achievements
The president was particularly solicitous
about the condition of the men who are i'll
He went to Camp Wikon to ascertain for him
self whether the men in the ranks needed any
thing that they were not getting His orders
were that they should not want for nothing
but he desired personally to know whether
those orders were being carried out After
full examination. he left camp satisfied that
the men were being as well cared for rs they
could be in field hospital He took no official
word for anything. Such visit as President
Mckinley made to Camp Wikon Is almost.
unique in military annals He went to camp
equipped with knowledge. judgment and expe-
rience to make an investigation He had served
in the camp and in the field himself and he
knew what ought to be OK pected in the circum-
stances That he was reasonably well satisfied
with the conditions as he found them is guar
antee that they not far wrong
Conditions have changed materially during
the third of century since the civil war. This
was noted especially by every one OF the old
soldiers in our party yesterday. In the hos
pitfalls at Camp Wixof the patients have plenty
of Ice. milk, lemons and many delicacies which
were seldom seen in the field hospitals during
the last war Then. too, each cot is supplied
with fresh, clean sheets and pillow cases each
day and there trained female nurses to
look after the wants OF every patient These
things now are the tribute grateful govern
ment pays TO its splendid soldiers. who. in add
ing luster to the fame OF their country have
won for themselves glory that time will not
dim.
Secretary Alger said there was no
of abandoning Camp Wikoff.
The troops will be kept there SO long
as it may be deemed desirable to keep
up the camp A rumor was given cur
rency that the camp, having been
found by the president to be unsuita-
bic for its purposes, was to be aban-
doned Immediately. This Secretary
Alger pronounced to be without
Mckinley the Guest OF Hobart.