Evening star., 1898-12-22
CORBIN QUESTIONED


in particular used them for their armies"
Col. Denby-"How extensively is the
canned beef used2''
Gen. Corbin-''It is used among the people
all over the west
Col Denby-"Then you mean to say that
the use of this beef during the war with
Spain was not an experiment.?
Gen. COrbin-''YcS. sir 1t is about the
only meat that can be transported with an
army in the field.
Might Have Bought Meat.
Referring to the beef sent 10 Cfen. Miles
in Porto Rico. Col. DENLY asked:
Had the commanding; general, in case
beef spoiled on the transports, the right to
buy beef on the hoof?"
Cen. Corbin-"U nquesJionably.'
col. Denby-"But there were no paymas-
Ters there
Gen. Corb!n-"Then h could have taken
ir or bought 1t in The name of the United
States lie had plenty Of authority for
that
Adver,frg TO the preparation for war. Col.
Derby again inquired TO the time when
active operations w~re begun.
Gen. C0Ibin-'Seriously speaking, I don't
think The War Department took Il step un-
Il. the declaration Of war and until money
under appropriations became avalla BILE
Col. DENLY stated that there appeared to
be sCgna conflict between Gen. COrbin's
statement and his previous answers. He
I-flT.trfi pllt tEdt tNt WI ness mad described
TIL detailing of the troops TO four points
Col DENLY, conttnuiug-"Na not this
preparation for war;
Cen CcrDIn-''To meet the possibility.
would put il. As soon as war was de-
c,ared then the department did everyt -.ng
i. could that was necessary"
Col D-nby remarked that Gen. Corbin
seemed disposed 70 b= cautious and non
committa! in his replies.
We are not here 70 criticise the War
Department. said ne. That IS none of
our business. We want 70 find out what
were the plans of the War Department. and
then 70 discover by testimony how efficient
iy il carried out those plans"
The Santiago Campaign.
Col DENLY then turned to the expedition
10 Santiago and the reasons for haste
He asked: Why was it that the expedi-
ton TO Santiago was not provided with am
balances. medical supplies and other neces-
saries in auple-pie shape?"
Cen C"rbin paused a long time before
making reply.
col Denby-''We ask you because. as ad-
tuttn. general Of the army. You are sup
posed 70 be informed concerning these
taIug~"
Then Gen. Cor9in Went ahead and stated
that there were al Tampa all the transports
that could be procured The department
had 90 proceed in the dark somewhat, as it
never before had transported on the sea
Buch large number Of men. If there had.
Isy- been more nlt u S"ut 10 Cuba. The de
sire was 70 get 25.,1'u men in all the haste
mat could ie cXert"d- II, said the matter
Of medical supplies had been left to the
surgeon general. and the President in
every case. would not make an appoint
mcuJ until the surgeon general recommend
ed II on the ground of fitness. He said he
had no suggestions To make, but would be
afraid to see another war for fear il would
not result well, with so little loss of
life.
Miles Plans.
DO you know anything about Gen. Miles
dispatch OF JUNE ~ l think a letter to the
Secretary OF War, in which he proposed to
have the army march clean through Cuba
aud take 5000 prisoners and work them
and treat them kindly?" he was asked
Yes. sir: that letter was received and
did not receive the approval of the Secre-
tGry of War"
You say the proposition made by Gen
Miles TO carry on the campaign in the
manner which he indicates in that letter
vas disapproved?''
1T was not approved" replied Gen. Cor
bin.
Il would ask you whether the plan of