The evening times., 1898-06-11
THE SITUATION CHEERING
Secretary Alger Mikes Reply 10
Critics Of the Army.
CONDITION OF TIE TR.ep
At the BEGINNING of the War Amer
5ca Was UnProvfded with Every
thing Necessary to a Campaign.
In Two Weeks the Army VIII He
Completely Equipped.

"In two weeks the army will be ready
for war"
This is the official summary of condi-
tions in the army and the War Depart
ment which The Times is able to present
through the courtesy OF the Secretary of
War.
Secretary Alger spoke freely upon the
subject.
when war was declared" he said, I'VE
were unprepared. yet obstacles almost in
surmountable have been overcome. / do
not believe that history records an in
stance where so much has been done in
military campaign of this magnitude
in the brief time that has elapsed since
hostilities began. 1 challenge the records
on this point.
In reply to repeated suggestions that
the department issue a statement ans
wering the criticisms of the hostile press,
1t has been said heretofore that events
were answering them. Victories in the
Philippines and West Indies satisfied the
people that the Government was all right.
Still, the criticisms grew more bitter
daily. Charges were not only made but
specified instances of incapacity and gen
eral decentralization in the army were
emphasized.
The criticisms of the War Department
and the condition of the troops in the
field have awakened much discussion in
Washington. Mr.. Bigelow's allegations
have been termed unjust and false,
breathing disloyalty. IL not treason, to-
ward the Administration" Others criti-
else some of the civilian appointments.
THE men having the most to say
against our work in organizing the Ar
N.Y." declared Gen. Alger, ''are furthest
from the truth. either through a willful
disregard of facts, or Ignorance. We are
willing TO be judged by what We have
accomplished in preparing our armies
for war.
1T is evident that the people have been
misinformed as to what We are doing.
To enlighten them, l have directed the
heads of the departments and bureaus to
furnish me with their report of what has
been done up to date.
when the people have learned the
actual condition of affairs, and realize
what an enormous task We have per-
formed in the brief time allowed us by
the circums. .ances of war, they will be
entirely satisfied. The critics will be an
swered, and the enemies of our Army
will have no ground to stand on
1T is not true that We are Indifferent to
the opinions of Europe. On the contra
ry, / have profound respect for their
knowledge and great experience in all
that pertains TO army organization and
war. We also wish to disarm criticism
at home, arising from ignorance or false
statements
What is your opinion of the present
condition of affairs?" he was asked.
1--WE are well satisfied. The situation is
cheering. There is every reason for con-
gratulations and none for doubt, as will
be shown when this statement is made.
In the first place, the country has infinite
resources.
There is an abundance of supplies at
the disposal of the Government Every
thing needed for the Army is either on
the ground or in the process of transit.
Within a week or a fortnight at the most
the required supplies and equipments will
be delivered TO the troops. In two weeks
from this time every man in the ARM
will be fully equipped for war.
The first thing after ammunition and
supplies was to get enough uniforms fo-
the men suitable for tropical campaign.
Whole suits are necessary, of lightweight
material. We have needed blankets. OF
course a man in thick clothing could get
along in daytime. BY throwing off his
coat he would feel comparatively com
Portable, but in the chill of night il is
necessary to have blankets, and these
could not be made in day
Have arrangements been made to COM
plete the Army equipments!
Yes, all the preliminary work has been
done necessary to equip the entire Army,
volunteers and regulars-that is. 27SG
men all told. In the matter of clothing we
have made great progress. Uniforms for
125, 900 men were turned out in two weeks.
The contracts for the whole amount have
been let The work is now being pushed
night and day by four of the biggest con-
Germs in the country, with a capacity of
15,00o complete uniforms day. As have
said, at the end of two weeks all the cloth
ing for the men will be finished.
What were your great obstacles at the
beginning
Organization and drilling, and the work
in that direction is not yet completed but
i may say that We would take our
chances on that score were we forced to
take the field with our armies today"
1T has been asserted that there was a
great lack of arms and ammunition
''Of course, at the outset we had moth
ing. l don't believe there was ever ma
ton on earth that attempted to embark
in war OF such magnitude while so ut
terly unprovided with everything neces-
sary for a campaign. We had nothing be-
yond limited amount. Now We have
plenty Of arms, ammunition of all kinds
and plenty of smokeless powder. too, with
the contracts for uniforms all let and
partially filled"
troops Leave camp black.
Camp Black. N. Y, June 11-Col Bar
ber, commanding the First Provisional
Regiment. struck tents and broke camp
at o'clock this morning. Col Barber re-
ceived orders at noon yesterday to pro-
coed with his command to the posts to
which his regiment has been assigned
Fort Columbus Fort Hamilton and Fort
Wadsworth. The regiment will leave
Camp Black at 1920 o'clock Neither Gen
Pennington, nor the First Battalion of
the Forty-seventh have received any or
ders to move.
The Red Cross.
New York, June u.-Three of the special
Red Cross agents for the Army camps
were appointed yesterday, and will start
at once to take up their work. They are
DIR. E. Winfield Egan, of Boston. who
goes TO Tampa; DIR. Charles Gill, to Chick
amauga, and B. II. Warner, of Washing
ton, d. c., to Camp Alger, Falls Church.
Va. They will be known as assistant field
agents of the society, and supplies which
the surgeon in charge at the camp de-
sires will be sent to them by the Red
Cross
The trustees of the Red Cross Hospital
met Thursday evening and appointed Drs.
Bull, Draper and Weir an advisory board
for the hospital.
Contributions received by the American
National Red Cross relief committee since
those last acknowledged are as follows:
Daughters Of American Revolution, New
York Chapter, through Mrs. Donald Nc |
Lean, $3.50; Oelrichs & Co.. No. 2. Bowling
Green, $500: Miss Celestne Eustis, No GO |
Madison Avenue. $50; Lonello Perera & |
Co., No. 40 Wall Street. SO: Woman's |
Temperance Union, Cuba, N. Y, 81; COL |