The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-08-31
WHO is TO BLAME
Question thnt Agitates War De-
partment Officials.
Chiefs Of the Bureaus Assert that the Want
OF Supplies Mt Camps Cannot be Laid
1t Their Doors-A Congressional
Investigation May Result
Some Abuses Corrected.

Is
Washington, Aug. 27.-Gen. Corbin,
adjutant general of the army, says no
complaint has reached the war depart
ment from any major general, briga-
der general colonel or men of the
army, regarding want, destitution or
lack of supplies for the care of the
troops. No demand has been made
for supplies other than the regular
acquisitions for troops which come in
the ordinary routine way. Gen. Cor
bin declines to be interviewed on the
subject of the many stories afloat re-
garding destitution and mismanage-
ment of the war, saying that the facts
will come out in due time.
The whole department is greatly
stirred over the many newspaper ac-
counts of what has been going on, and
1t is the subject of discussion every
where about the war department, but
apparently each head of bureau be-
lieyes that an investigation of the sub
ject will vindicate him and his depart
ment. The officers in Washington say
that the accounts of suffering have
been exaggerated, but if there has
been suffering further than war natur-
ally would bring, the fault has not
been with the officers in the depart
ment here. Each officer processes to
be willing that there should be an in
vestigation. Some officers say that it
will be necessary and that they will
welcome complete congressional in
quiry which will bring out all the
facts.
There seems to have been neglect
in carrying out the order of the de-
partment which allowed 60 cents
day to all soldiers in hospitals, the
amount to be general fund from
which could be drawn money to pur-
chase delicacies and necessaries for
sick soldiers. This order is dated Au-
gust 10.
According to the records of the sur
geon generals office it was received
there on the 18th and sent out to the
various officers on the 18th. 1t should
have reached these offices on the 18th,
especially those along the Atlantic
,seaboard. 1t seems, however, that if
II did reach them it was disregarded
by many surgeons. The surgeon gen.
erals Office complains that other or
ders sent out have not received the at
tention which should have been given
them.
officers at the war department dep
recate the manner in which COM
plants have been made, on the ground
that the whole matter will discredit
the American army and have a bad
effect on discipline.
The president has received the fol-
lowing letter from Gen. Joe Wheeler
at Camp Wikoff:
81 was very glad to hear that you
would visit Montauk Point very soon.
The visit of the secretary of war has
accomplished more than can express.
He has promptly corrected evils, made
valuable suggestions and given direc-
tions regarding administration. In ad-
dition his personal visit to 1,500 sick
soldiers in the hospitals has cheered
them up and it is difficult to adequate
ly convey to you the change for the
better since the secretary's arrival.
The announcement that you will visit
the soldiers has already added to this
improvement and your presence here
for even a single day will accomplish
good, the great extent of which you
can only realize after you have made
your visit"
New York, Aug. 27-Secretary Alge1
yesterday resumed his work of inves-
tigation of affairs at Camp Wikoff
lie gave first attention to granting 30
days furloughs to the men of the
Seventy-frst New York volunteers and
the Second Massachusetts. Gen. Algel
told the commanders of these regi
ments to make out the list of all mer
who were able to leave camp so they
can depart for their homes as soor
as possible. The Rough Riders are
also to be granted furloughs; SO viii
the Michigan volunteers.
At the expiration of their furlough!
the Seyenty-frst's men will not return
to Camp Wikoff, but to Camp Black t.
be formally mustered out. The Sec
,ond Massachusetts men WIN report a
South Pennington for mastering ou
after their furloughs.
Gen. Alger has given notice tina
sick regulars will also be allowed t.
90 home on furloughs, so that within
a few days thousands of the men VIII,
are now in camp will be away to maxi
room for those now on transports il
the bay waiting to come ashore an,
those expected on transports yet t
come from Santiago, including Ger
Shafter and his staff. Gen. Alger sal
he did not know when he should leave
Gen. Alger while making his round
made careful inquiry on routin
affairs and whether sufficient sup
ply of ice and milk had been receive
at the hospitals. When he found wha
he considered neglect anywhere h
plainly called to account those respoI
.sible.
Another transport reached the cam
Friday. 1t was the D. H. Miller an
she has the men of the First regula
infantry, 376 in all, on board. Twent
of them are sick, but there were n
deaths during the voyage, neither ar
there any of the sick men down wit
contagious disease. There were tw
lsdeaths in camp yesterday.
spaniards Have u Grievance.
London, Aug. 27.-The Madrid CO.
respondent of the Mail says the of
GERS and soldiers who have returne