Evening star., 1898-10-14

DR.. Conner asked the witness If he did
rot think it easier to make out writ
ten rCquisitiOns on the government officers
tor what he wanted than to go to relief So
cieties end the Red Cross to get them.
He said it was easier to get them from
the Ped Cross, but that he got them there
because he could not get them from the
government.
Dr. Conper-"So far as you know. no
medical officer in your district in Porto
Rico received communication of 60 cents a
day fer sick meu?'
DR.. Seaman-"That is right.
At 1870 the commission adjourned until
O'Clock. DIR. Seaman was instructed to
return for q continuation of his exanlina-
tion at that time.
Rather stormy Scenes.
DIR. Seaman's testimony was continued at
= o'clock. The witness was asked if he
knew the amount of meat ration given in
the English army in India. DR.. Conner
said the fact was that in the English army
the meat ration was four ounces less than
in the American army.
As the examination of the witness pro-
ceeded quite a stormy scene took place.
DR.. Conner asked a question regarding g
people upon whom responsibility should be
placed. TO which the witress replied:
You seem TO be inclined to take up your
time"
DIR. Conner-'I beg your pardon. I have
some questions l wish to have answered"
in reply to another question the witness
said when he left Porto Rico there Were
between three and Tour thousand sick men
in the command of 10000.
DR.. Conner-"Did you personally see any
Instances of neglect on the part of the doc
tors or nurses in these hospitals?
DIR. Seaman: Doctor. | wish to say in
regard to the medical department of the
United States 1 have nothing but COM
II endatfon. and / have had nothing. I be-
Heve the men down there are doing"
(bere the witness spoke in a very loud
tone) the best they can. and Gen. Stern
berg has done his duty"
DR.. COnner: Was there any drunken
ness on the part of the medical officers in
Porto RicO?"
DR.. Seaman: mo. sir"
DR.. Conner: Where does the RESPONSE
hility for any failure Of your efforts to get
supplies rest?"
Dr. Seamaa-'I answer l can answer that
question as I please. 1 answer by asking
you another question:"
He wanted to know If the cOnyalesCents
had not got the supplies they were en-
titled to whose fault it was
DR. Conner-''Will you please answer my
question:
DIR. Seaman-"I have answered your
question as I think fit
DIR. COnner-"Is that your answer?'
DIR. Seaman-"It is my answer"
DR.. Conner-"Then let it go on the rec
ord. l am through
General McCook-"Don't get excited, doc
tor. or we will have to take you out
DIR. Seaman said the questions had been
of q character to insinuate that he attack
Cd the administration.
Ex Governor ReaVeT-''Wc are inveStigat-
ing the facts We are trying to fix re-
SponSibility. You are represented an
intelligent man of more than ordinary abil-
ity. l shall not ask you any question that
should not be asked gentleman, and l
insist that You maintain yourself as gem
t!eman or take the consequences. 1 do not
want You to answer me as you have an
Swered DIR. Conner.
Wouldn't Criticfse SuperiOrs.
When asked who was responsible for any
failure at Porto Rico, DIR. Seaman de-
clined to reply. He said as long as he had
his shoulder straps on he did not propose
to criticise his superior officers.
Ex-Governor Beaver said he need have
no fear of that, that no harm would come
to him.
Gen. Dodge then read the President 5
instructions to the commission. and said
whatever he said would receive the Presi-
dents protection.
DR.. Seaman then said he had been great
Iy misrepresented that the interview pub
lshed with him had been got from him
by unusual means. He had not wished the
nOtOriety that had been thrust upon him.
The questioning of the witness then con-
tinued.
Gen. Dodge asked the witness whether he
considered Capt. Allen. quartermaster in
DR.. Seaman declined to answer this ques-
ton.
He declined to say whether or not he
thought officers We're efficient. He was
urged to do so, but continued to decline.
His examination was then concluded.
Lieut.. Hill Called.
The next witness was Lieutenant Frank
X Hill. United States navy. Lieutenant
Hill was on duty ON the Iowa.
Witnesses Will BE Protected.
The war investigating commission has
made a positive declaration in regard to
the protection they propose giving wit
nesses who come before them. During the
past week correspondence has passed be
tween the commission and Robert b.
Roosevelt. chairman of the citizens COM
mittee of New York. who had addressed
the commission in regard To submitting eyi-
dence to them. Mr.. Roosevelt has, during
the last couple Of days, again written the
commission, saying they anticipate fear
the part Of witnesses they may name
to be called before the commission that
their testimony might be used to their in
Jury, 50 far as their official standing was
concerned. The commission has written
Mr.. Roosevelt, saying he may assure wit
nesses that they need have no fear of the
kind referred to, and that the commission
would see that all witnesses are protected.
Adjutant Generals Orders.
The commission devoted its session yes
terday afternoon TO reading orders by the
aljutant general relating to the landing
OF General Skaters troops in Cuba The
documents show that General Miles rec
commended the occupation of the Isle of
Pines about the time of the battle of San
tiago and that Secretary Alger disapproved
the suggestion. General Miles recommends
ed that some point between Santiago and
Porto Rico he taken prior to the beginning
of either campaign There was an appar-
cnt conflict of authority between General
Miles and General Shafter at Tampa be
fore the Santiago campaign. Orders were
issued by Secretary Alger that if General
Shafter should he disabled the command
OF the troops should devolVe upon General
Wheeler. and upon the next in command
III case Of the disability of both Shafter
and Wheeler.
FEARS TROUBLE WITH INDIANS.
Capt. CASTOR Thinks Troops Will Be
Needed in Oklahoma.