Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-11
SECY. ALGER'S REPLY
Questions Of the Investigating Com
mission Answered.
PLAN OF THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN
Choice of Tampa as the Base of
Operations.
DELAY OF THE TRANSPORTS

The war investigating committee met at
IL O'Clock this morning and sat with closed
doors throughout the session which lasted
until after noon. The commission had read
to it the replies of Secretary Alser and
Conceal Wilson. chief of engineers. TO ques-
tons regarding the war asked by the COM
mission. The commission ordered that the
reports be made public.
The commission resumed it's session at
o'clock this afternoon and remained with
closed doors for some time. 1t was expect
ed that General Graham of the I'd Army
Corps would come before the commission
to give his testimony.
Secretary Ayers Statement.
Secretary Alger's statement follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
Washington. October 6. 1898.
Major General Grenville NJ. Dodge, Presi-
dent Commission appointed by the Pres
fdent to investigate the conduct of the
War Department in the with Spain:
Sir: 1 have the honor herewith to hand
YOU information desired from the Secretary
Of War. as referred to in your letter Of
September -. 1S!rS. Very respectfully,
r. \. ALGER, Secretary of War
Information Desired From the Sec
Rotary of War.
l. Plan of campaign proposed Immediate
tended to move at once on Havana, or that
the campaign should be postponed until
the autumn?
Answer. Immediate blockade by the navy
Of the important ports of Cuba as di-
TeCted by the Presidents proclamation.
The holding of troops at points nearest to
Cuba to b. available in any emergen y
which might arise. and especially to be
ready for prompt assistance IN case me
operations of The navy should make the
Use Of land forces necessary or desirable
Early in May plan was partially ma
tured to land force at Mariel, point
about twenty-six miles west of Havana,
reports having been received that in its
immediate vicinity were high grounds. we'll
wAtered and suitable for camping troops
preparatory for a movement upon Havana
later. if 1t was deemed advisable. the
thought being that possibly an assault
might be made upon the forces defending
that city before the rainy season set in
Orders were issued to that effect on May
.. but. subsequently. plans were changed
on account of further information that
there would be great danger to the health
of the troops in that vicinity: and also. on
account of the uncertainty of the move
meuts of the enemy's fleet 1t was then
determined to keep the forces in the United
States at points near Cuba as possible
for immediate enbarkation should an emer-
gency demand it. The Santiago campaign
proved 10 be that emergency.
1t should be- added. further, that 1t was
believed. after consultation with medical
authorities. that troops camping in south
ern states during the summer would be-
come somewhat accliUated for their ser
vices in Cuba
. When was the Santiago campaign de-
termined upon?
Ans The Santiago campaign was made
necessary by the presence of Admiral Ger
Vera's fleet in Santiago harbor, but had
previously been contemplated as one point
on the coast where a reconnaissance in
force was to be made to ascertain the
strength of the enemy in the different 10
cations In eastern Cuba,
The immediate destruction of Admiral
Cervera'S fleet was necessary, and. to en-
able the navy to accomplish this. the mill
tary force, under Major General Shafter,
United States volunteers, directed to
move at once on the city and province of
Santiago This movement was FASTENED by
reason Of q telegram received from Admiral
Sampson June I, stating that he had
bOmbarded forts at Santiago June 6 and
silenced works quickly, and If 10000 men
We're there city and fleet could be captured
within forty-eight hours.
1t is proper to state that after the dare
Of this message the Spanish garrison was
largely reinforced. The opinion of Admiral
Sampson was doubtless correct at the time.
The troops sailed from Tampa on June H.
1888 with 16.ysS officers and men.
3. Why was Tampa selected as the base
OF operations?
Answer: on account of the shipping IA
ClltleS at Inat point ana It's comparative
short distance from Cuba, rendering any
movement of the troops possible on short
notice as the progress of the blockade or
any other sudden condition might require.
4-Nhy were summer camps organized
al FernaEdina Jacksonville and Tampa?
Ans--AH of the early camps in the south
We're selected with special regard for the
health IF the troops. and their convenience
for prompt movement by rail and water.
The camp at Fernandina was organized on
the recommendation Of the major general
commanding the army. The camp at Jack
SOuVill1 was selected on the recommended
ZION Of Mai. Gen. Lee. United States Volun-
teers. commanding eth Army Corps copy
of Telegram herewith attached marked
II \ permanent camp was never CON
-elnpist-c at Tampa
Troops were sent there preparatory for
ernharkatiOn, and were kept there to be
ready for any emergency; and, later, to
embark for Porto Rico, and. upon the sign
ing OF the protocol, the troops. being no
longer required at Tampa, were sent 10
Huntsville. Ala. a camp selected by Off
GERS detailed to ascertain best camping
sits, having in view health and comfort of
the soldiers
;. When was the Porto Rico campaign
determined upon
Answer The Porto Rico campaign had
been long under consideration and the
orders to carry il out Were issued June %
1898 tSee copy of letter herewith, marked
j., 10 Maj Gen Miles L. S. A.
D. why were tie troops held on trans
ports after enlbarkation A. Tampa, and not
permitted to sail for several days?
Ans Troops We're held on transports after
embarkariOn at Tampa on account Of the
advices received from Commodore Remey
that Spanish cruiser, second class AMI
Spanish torpedo boat destroyer seen by
Eagle. Nicholas channel, Cuba; destroy
convoy
(See copies of kilograms from the NAVY
Department herewith. marked *" L
NJ
War Department Dispatches.
Accompanying Secretary Ayers reply
were the following dispatches.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON. May 30, 1895
Sent in cipher May 81. 1898. 2:30 am.