New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-21
THE ARMY INVESTIGA ALTON.
COMMISSION WILL PROBABLY RE COM
PLETED THIS WEEK.
PRESIDENT MKINLEY STILL FIRM IN HIS
DETERMINATION TO HAVE A THOROUGH
AND SEARCHING INQUIRY.
fry rELrenAru TO THr rnIBvNr.


Investigate the complaints against the man
asement of the Quarternaster's, Commissary
and Medical departments of the Army will be
announced before the end of the eek. There
is no reason 70 doubt that the appointments
will be such as to command the respect ana
confidence Of the country. or that the concu-
sions Of the Commission. based on thorough
and searching investigation. will be generally
accented as fair and just. And yet there is no
doubt that a fear OF belief in the minds OF some
Of the men who have been invited to serve as
members Of the Commission that It's report
even based as IL will be- on such an investiGa-
tion would fail to meet expectations when nav"
been raised and sharpened by weeks OF clamor
and daily exaggeration and vituperatlon' mas
constrained them reluctantly IN insist that they
he excused from such service.
REASONS FOR DECLINING TO SERVE.
General Schoheld has been sharply criticised in
some quarters on account Of his refusal 7"
serve. but the critics must have failed To recos-
nize certain considerations which would weigh
heavily with him. He is soldier Of long eXpe-
rience in the field and camp. as well as in Army
administration In the spring Of lSil he saw
and experienced what everv official OF the war
Department and every officer OF the Army saw
and experienced IT. the spring ~ ls!'S-a war
emergency 10 be met. and no adeqra ate prepara-
tion 10 meet IT. He saw and served with militia
and volunteers who had been called from peace
full occupations and the comforts ana ENJOY
ments of home into active military service III
equipped and poorly armed almost or "no'E
without discipline or any of that sort OF Kho"l-
edge which enables the soldier IN the held u
take proper care OF himself and MAKE the pes'
Of what hr can get The officers as RUE W'''
as ignorant and inexperienced IN thelr duties
as the men were in theirs. The Quarternas-
,er,s coromissarv and Medical departments OF
the Army had not been organized or "9uippeh
to cone with the emergency. and necessary sup
niles OF clothing food. medicines and hospi'ai
stores were lacking.
In fact the condition II things In the Sp'i"e
OF 1861 was essentially the same as II was IN
tho sprinc of lSgs Many mistakes were made.
There was srca; suffering among the Nolun'eoI
troons and thousands Of men and officers died
from disease whose lives might nave peeh
SHARED II the country had been better prepared
for war and its volunteer soldiers had been
Injured to army life. General Schoheld saw all
,bs. ,binrs and remembered them. lie knew
and realized when the war with Spain came
and more than two hundred and nifty thousand
voIun,-er soldiers were suddenly called into the
aeld far active service before adcquat" provision
could be made for their wants, that the scenes
and expericnces Of the carly months OF the 'NIi
War would inevitably be repeated lie probapN
gauged correctly the penalty that would nave
10 be paid for ignorance. inexperience ana in'h
Of preparation but he could not have forese"h
the clarfbr II would cause.
He NAV have realized that II the result Of the
investigation should not fully coroborate all
the stories u neglect. suffering. inhumhnity'
starvation etc. with which the country has been
ringing FOR weeks. he. being an officer "f the
Army although on the retired list would be
aseaiIed his motives impeached and his judg-
nent denounced as partial and absurd some OF
the combinations which Influenced him may
have had weight with others who have declined
TO become members Of the Commission.
THE PRESIDENTS PURPOSE UNCHANGED.
1, is well understood that the delay and the
difficulty of nnding suitable persons who We're
willing 10 serve on the Commission. and who
could also spare the time 70 do So. has not IN
the least affected President McKinley's deter
minatiol to carry out his purpose and have
thorough. searching and complete investigation
Of the complaints against the Army administra-
ton. especially as 1t affected the comfort and
health Of he enlisted mon.
The men thus far selected and who have ac-
cepted-and # is understood that they number
seven-are nearly all veterans OF the Clvi war
who were in the volunteer service. either on
the Union or Confederate side. Thcy are men
who know by experience what the soldier Ire
I'm the camp and field Is. what II brings Of neces-
sary and unavoidable hardship and privatlons.
They are men who. II the officers or soldiers OF
regiment complain that they nave boNn Kcpt on
short ra,ions o. supplied with spoiled food. VIII
know how TO ascertain and fix the responsibility.
and so on through the whole list OF Complaints.
They are men who will iearlessly as well as IN
telligently perform the duty that they have CON
sentpd to undertake.
TWO OF THE MEN SUGGESTED
Among the mon whose names have been sug-
gested TO the President for appointment on the
Commission are General Anson q. McCook. Of
New-York. Who. II is said has been asked to
serve and DR. George q. Tarboll. of Massachu-
setts OF 6 .neral McCook's fitness and qualif-
cations II is not necessary t. sneak, and II Is
hardly necessary 10 do So of DR.. TarbelTs The
latter served through the t.vil War as a sur
geon of volunteers and his ability and eff-
cheney were recognized and appreciated. Since
the close ~ the war he has been prominent IN
his profession at home. and has also rem
dcred valuable public service. which has won
for him the confidence and respect of the people
~ hi1 State.
General McCook's house at No l2s West Fifty
.,-hth-sr was closed last evening and nothing
could be learned as 70 whether not he would
cept An appointment on the War Department In
vestigstng Commission.
CONFERENCE TO BE HELD SATURDAY.
Washington Sept. 20-The President is max
ing progress in the selection Of the Commission
to investigate the conduct Of tho war 40 far as
II relates TO the War Department, and he said
10 members Of the Cabinet to-day that he had
50 far completed the Commission that he had
invited the members 10 meet him for con
ference at tho White House on Saturday. with
view to beginning their work next week Seven
OF the nine members ~ the Commission have
accepted tire Presidents invitation. and he ex-
pressed himself to-day as being confident OF his
ability to secure NE services Of tle other two