The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-05
SHERMAN HAS NO AK TO GRIND.
DENIES ANY personal SPITE
AGAINST SECRETARY ALGER.

o. 1utS ~ lOE
the Soldiers - Is Not the Attorney
of Gen. Miles Ina the Controversy
q With the Secretary - Would APP
point hoard of Investigation
without Army Circles Congress
Wholly Responsible For an I'm
called for War with Spain.
Washington, Sept. al have no person
al grievance against Secretary Alger, nor
am l engaged in prosecuting an mvesti-
cation of the war department at the in
stance or in the interest of Gen. Miles"
This statement was made by Hon John
Sherman tonight, when l called upon him
at his residence in this city, and had in
formed him that my mission was to OBJ
tain from him an interview on the Miles
Alger controversy. The "grand old man."
as his friends delight to call him, invited
me into his library and talked to me with
the utmost freedom.
He prefaced his remarks by saying that
misquoted by some of the alleged inter-
views with him recently printed
In reply to the suggestion that 1t had
been stated in certain newspapers that he
was acting in the nature of an attorney
for Gen. Miles, and intended to force an
investigation of Secretary Alger, Mr.
Sherman said, with a pleasant smile play
ing over his strongly marked Intellectual
face: II have not been engaged as Gen
Miles attorney, but I should not need a
retainer.
can this talk about me trying to force
an investigation of Gen. Alger, because
of some animosity am supposed to feel
toward him is too absurd to require a de-
NAL" added Mr.. Sherman with all can
dor. 81 have not seen Gen. Miles for many
months. 1 did not see him before he start
ed for Santiago, because l was out of the
city at the time. 1 have not heard from
him since he went away, nor has he heard
from me. 1t is quite possible that Mrs
Miles and Mrs. Sherman may have ex-
changed some correspondence. 1t is not
an unreasonable superstition.
II desire to say with all seriousness"
he added, that I have seen IL stated upon
unquestonable authority that gross inef-
flciency has been displayed by certain per
sons connected with the army, and many
of the brave fellows who went forth to
battle for their country have been neg
lected and deprived of such comforts and
attentions as they had a right to expect
at the hands Of their government. / have
in my possession letters l have received
from members of Ohio regiments and
also from members of regiments from
other states-I will not disclose their
names it would cause them additional suf-
fering and probable punishment. In view
g sN.aIr
from the various camps, I contend that
the President shold not hesitate to order
a rigid investigation and place the re-
spODsbility where 1t properly belongs. As
l stated before, l have no unfriendly feel
ing for Secretary Alger, and have no de-
sire to see him prosecuted, but he is the
responsible head Of the war department.
and these startling allegations are made
against his department 1t is quite posi-
bic that 1t will be found that some of his
subordinates have been inefficient or neg
lectful of the duty imposed upon them
That might be disclosed in an investiga-
ton"
How would you conduct such an in
vestigation as you suggest?' / asked
Would you appoint board of army Off
GERS. and expect them to convict their
superior officer?"
mo. l would not appoint a military
board TO investigate the subject, the Pres
ident might select a board of medical
men, who are not identified in any way
with the army and give them power 10
make a thorough investigation of all the
charges which indicate that improper food
has been served 10 the sick soldiers, or
that they have been denied such food and
attention as they should have received. In
fact, l would give the board discretion TO
make a sweeping investigation of all the
ineff1ciencies complained of, so that the
rbAIn inc -. IL,
cate the responsibility"
Mr. Sherman made it quite clear to my
mind that he had no political axes to
grind, no personal grievances to air an
expressing himself upon this subject, but
he convinced me that he was actuated by
a high-minded, honorable desire to see
justice done to the brave men who were
induced to go into a cruel and Unnecessary
war. Having disposed of the Miies-Alger
subject to his entire satisfaction Mr.
Sherman settled himself back in his arm
chair and proceeded to discuss another
phase of the war. with all the terseness
and vigor of his best days in the United
States Senate.
"'Way back of all this contention about
inefficiency in the war department" con-
tinued Mr.. Sherman, with great delibera-
ton, 1--WE must look for the cause of this
cruel and unjust war. 1t win not do for
men to say that it was brought on py
sensational newspapers"
Then with all the intensity of his mind
he pronounced this startling Indictment
upon the Congress Of the United States:
''The direct responsibility for The war
with Spain rests upon the shoulders Of
Congress. 1t was the Congress who de
clared war and delivered TO Spain an in
sulting and eXasperating proclamation 1t
was not necessary for us TO go to war with
Spain. 1 had several consultations with
he fpic l,a
we could have adjusted our difficulties
without the loss of our blood and treas
ure tf
'Why, we had progressed to that stage"
continued Mr. Sherman, that / could
have arranged a treaty by which Spain
would have retired peacefully from the
island of Cuba. The Cubans were then
practically in possession Of most of the
island, and Spain realized that fact. /
violate no confidence in saying that the
President did everything in his power to
advert the war, and he would have re-
joiced with me and with nearly all of The
right-minded people Of our prosperous land
If we could have made peaceful settle
NJ HI