The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-12-30
CORBIN TESTIFIES.
The Adjutant General Appears Be.
fore Investigating Commiss ion.
TALKS ABOUT The DIFFERENT CAMPS
The War Department Did Not Contemplate
War Untli II Was Declared bv Cnn-
gress-A shortage o. Uniforms
and Tentsgs.

T.
Corbin was the first witness before the
war investigating commission yes
terday and was questioned regarding
the selection of Camp Alger, Va. lie
testified that the removal OF Camp AL
ger was dictated by the secretary OF
war himself aud that its original es-
tablishment was recommended by
Capt Seaburn, of Gen. Miles staff
He, Gen. Corbin, had said at the time
it could not be good CAMP ground,
because there was not sufficient range
for rifle practice. He had understood
from the secretary of war that Gen.
Miles had something to do with its
selection.
Did Gen. Miles protest against or
do anything against the selection of
the camp he was asked. Not to
my knowledge" was the answer.
Gen. Corbin added that he did not
know the reason for discontinuance
of the camp. Questioned as to Camp
Wikof, Gen. Corbin said that the
troops and horses that arrived there
about August were those left behind
in the south from the expeditions to
Santiago and Porto Rico and that the
transportation of these had not,
as he knew, led to railroad
congestion or interfered in any
way with the carriage OF sup.
plies for the troops subsequently,
arriving. lie denied that the contract
with the Long Island railroad gave it
exclusive control and said the only re-
striction made in that arrangement
was the desirable one of prohibiting
excursion steamers landing at the
camp. He said one reason for its selec-
ton was the excellent facilities for
water transportation. He said the
camp at Tampa was never designed for
anything but a point of embarkation
and said the first complaints he had
heard from Camp Thomas, Chiclsa-
manga, was in the press.
Asked when he first seriously appre-
hended there would be hostilities,
Gen. Corbn said he might say he did
not seriously contemplate war until it
was fact, for he had hoped to the
last moment that it would be averted.
On April 10 the army, for one of its
size, was well equipped and thoroughly
supplied. lie saId prior To the war
there had been no complaints of refrig.
Grated or canned beef and that they
were used by armies of the world and 10
commerce. 1t was no new experiment
seriously speaking" said Gen. Cor
bin, 81 do not think the war depart
ment contemplated war until it was
declared by congress and appropria-
tions we're available Of course the
81
we're no general preparations except
so far as the department was able to
meet the possibilities that confronted
it,"
Gen. Corbin said when Gen. Skaters
expedition started it took all the trans
ports 1t was possible to obtain. The
supply was not equal to the demand.
IL had been planned to carry about
$4,000 troops at that time, instead of
the II, 900 taken. He referred to the
letter of Gen. Miles, dated June "a
laying out the plan of campaign of
the war and said it was not approved.
Gen. Corbin said there had been a
shortage of uniforms, canvas and tent
age. The factories had not made the
advance preparations that had been
expected There had never been any
trouble concerning provisions He
said the matter of medical supplies
and medical officers was left to the sur
geon general and that the president in
every case would not listen to appoint
ing medical officer until recommend
ed by the surgeon general on the
ground Of fitness, He had no sugges-
tions to make based on the experience
of this war, but should be afraid TO
see another war for fear It would not
result so we'll, or with so little loss of
life.
Adverting to Gen. Miles complaint
that paymasters were not sent TO
Porto Rico, as requested by him, Gen.
Corbin said they were ordered imme.
diately, but they went by way of San
tiago, where one fell i'll with yellow
fever. The health authorities quaran-
tined the vessel carrying them. and