The times., 1898-09-05
THE PRESIDENT PLEASED.
Secretary Alger Talks of the Visit
to MOntauk.

10 MOntauk.
Secretary Alger returned to the city af-
ter midnight Saturday from his second in
spection of Camp Wikoff, at Montauk
Point. and told the story Of his last visit
with President Mckinley Saturday at his
home last night.
Secretary Alger said that he found the
condition of the camp much improved,
and that he believed that everything was
in good shape now and that there would
be no further complaints of lack of sup
plies or improper treatment at the camp.
he said that this did not mean that the
condition of the sick men was improved;
that naturally the disease would have to
run its course but that the patients were
surrounded with everything necessary for
their comfort and rapid recovery.
1t was rather unfortunate said Sec
retary Alger, that thunder storm the
night before we arrived soured nearly all
OF the days supply of milk, and large
stone became lodged in the stem of the
largest pump in camp, from which the
main water supply is drawn, but these
slight misfortunes were easily remedied
and the President found the camp in ex-
cellent condition
HIS inspection was IN the nature of
a personal tour rather than a superficial
inspection, and I think that he has fair
idea of the real conditions and the many
obstacles that had to be surmounted be-
fore the camp could be put in perfect
condition
Many improvements have been made
since my last visit. and many more under
contemplation will be made in the next
few days. A large sterilizing plant will
be Immediately installed in the camp, and
all water used will be subjected to ster-
| ilization The distilling ship Iris, which
has been turned over to the War Depart
! ment, is probably there now. This ship
has distilling capacity of CO., 900 gallons
day, and as there are about Il, 900 men in
camp 1t will be readily seen that an
ample supply of pure water will be one of
the many improvements made in the
camp"
rs it the intention of the War Depart
ment TO establish permanent camp at
Montauk Point?''
land in three weeks all of the men now
at Camp Wikoff, with the possible excep-
tion of those who are very i'll. or the con-
yalescents whom il would be dangerous
to move, will have been moved. The 10.-
900 regulars will be distributed among
the various army posts east of the Mis-
sissippi River to rest and recuperate. The
return to the regular life at the different
will nrnkahlv h9 rhQ hest thing
possible for these men, and it is certain
ly what they desire.
''The volunteer regiments now at Camp
Wikoff are designated to be mustered
out. and they will be transported TO their
natives States and the place of rendez
yous, and granted thirty days furloughs,
at the end of which time they viii be
mustered out. These movements will be-
gin at once. ana will continue until all
the regiments have been moved. l can
not state which regiments will be the
first TO move, nor in what order they will
move, but the fittest will be the first to
leave, and the rest as soon as it is safe,
| in the opinions of the surgeons"
Secretary Alger could throw no light en-
| the movements of the District regiment,
saying it depended largely upon the con-
| dition of the men and the wishes of the
! colonel. ~
| Secretary Alger was asked whether
| there was any friction between the plans
! of the War Department and the plans of
| Gen. Miles that would prevent a parade
| of the troops returning from Porto Rico;
t whether. in fact. the department did not
/ desire that these men should not parade
| in order TO prevent contrast being
| drawn between them and the troops
which have returned from Cuba. The
/ Secretary smiled, hestated a moment
/ and then responded:
Such a thing is too trivial: too abso-
| lately absurd 10 be given a moment s
| thought The plans of the department
| about these returning men are too We |
| known to need any explanation, and
| while subject to change, would not be al
tered without some good and sufficient
| reason.
THE regiments returning from Porto
| Rico are designated to be mustered out,
and the same plans adopted for the mus
! tering out OF other regiments viii prevail
In this case. When they arrive they Will
| be held for a short time at a detention
camp until a thorough inspection Is
| fit condition. they will be taken to the
| point of rendezvous where they were
mustered in. granted thirty days fur
! loughs, and at the end of that time mus
| tered out of the service.
IF not in good condition the men will
| remain in camp at the point of landing
until they are fit to travel OF course
| the transports bringing the men will not
| all arrive at once, and If the men are
| fit to return to their homes they will GER
| tainly not be rendeZvoused and held for
| a parade or show of any kind