Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-02
BEFORE WAR INVESTIGATORS
Charges Sour Milk Was Given Sick and
Hospital Supplies Diverted.
STATEMENTS OF CORRESPONDENT HERsH
DepIOrable state of Affairs Said to
Have Existed at Camp Wil<Off De-
tailed Committee by New
York World Man.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-The war investi-
eating commission devoted its time today
largely to the consideration of statement
filed by Nelson Hersh, on behalf of the New
York World, giving what he states Is a
record of facts concerning the establishment
of Camp Wikoff and its management and
the dates, number of sick in hospitals,
etc
The statement was made in response to
the general invitation from the commission.
The specifications cover twenty pages
Of typewriter matter taking up the move
ment of the Santiago troops after the sur
render of the Spanish at that place and be-
fore the breaking out of yellow fever there
in July. 1t is asserted that at the time Mon
tauk Point was selected as the site for the
camp it was "a barren waste"
The details of the selection OF the camp
site are given, as are also those of the
transportation of troops, and it is asserted
that when the first detachment Of 275 troops
arrived on the Sth of August "the camp was
not ready to receive them and they slept
under their blankets and in the open air, as
no tents had arrived"
This" 1t is added, was eleven days after
1t had been decided to establish the camp"
Continuing the assertion is made that by
the 10th of August the sick were reported
suffering from want of proper accommoda-
tions and food; that their tents were with
out floors and with only their blankets be-
tween the men and the ground, and that a
glass of sour milk apiece was the only
nourishment they received in twenty four
hours The War department is charged
wit FREQ phnn nf III "a l.
asserted that General Young was given only
six days for the preparation Of the camp
before the arrival OF troops when two
weeks time was necessary, which caused
great confusion"
On the 14th of August DR.. Edison visited
the camp and found that the ! 400 troops
there were almost wholly dependent upon
body OF water without inlet or outlet and
known as Fort pond for their drinking
water. This pond received the drainage
from the camp and the doctor found the
water to contain ninety grains of salt to the
gallon. This condition, he said caused dis
ease and rendered the pond the constant
menace TO the men.
BY the Both of August there were 90 900
men In camp and 1000 in the hospital with
many unable to secure admission from the
The regulars were reported to
be suffering for the necessaries of life and
had received no pay for three months. Con-
tract surgeons were reported living at the
expense Of patients.
Diverted Hospital stores.
AFTER the doctors had lunched," says the
account, twenty-five apponnaris bottles were
counted on the table, said to have been di-
Verted from hospital stores
Particulars are given OF the death in his
tent OF Private Hugh Parrett on August 2S,
and 1t is asserted that DR.. Tabor refused
him permission to enter the hospital on
the ground that he was not sick.
The assertion is made that when on the
5th OF September DR.. Lee went to Camp
Wikoh with special train to take sick
soldiers to the Brooklyn hospitals "he was
unable TO get more than fifteen men TO the
train on account OF the lack of ambulances
which were being used to carry sightseers
around the camp. While hundreds OF sick
soldiers were waiting 10 be transferred to