Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-12-23

WASHINGTON, Dec 22.-Adjutant-
General Corbin was the first witness
before the War Investigating Commit
tee today and was questioned regarding
Camp Alger, Va.
He testofed that the removal of
Camp Alger was dictated by the Sec
rotary of War himself, and that it's or
ls.nal establishment was recommended
by Captain Starhurn of General Miles
staff. He, General Corbin, had said at
the time that it could not be a good
camp ground, because there was no
sufficient range for rifle practice. He
had understood from the Secretary of
War that General Miles had something
tc do with it's selection.
DID NOT INTERFERE.
Did General Miles protest against or
do anything against the selection Of the
camp" he was asked.
MOT to my knowledge" was the an
swer.
General Corbin added that he did not
know the reasons for the discontinue
ance Of the camp.
When asked when he first seriously
unprecedented there would be hostilities,
General Corbin said he might say he
did not seriously contemplate war until
it was a fact, for he had hoped to the
last moment that it would be averted.
On April 10 the army, for one of it's
size. he said, better equipped, better
clothed, better fed Or with a better
time He said prior to the war there
had been no complaints OF refrigerated
or canned beef and tina t they We're used
by the armies Of the world and incom-
merge: It was no new experiment:
DEPARTMENT UNPREPARED.
Seriously speaking" said General
Corbin, II Go not think the War De
partment contemplated war until it was
declared by Congress and appropria-
tions were available. OF course, the
~
was no general tions except, So
Tar as the department was able to meet
the possibilities that confronted it,
DO you know anything about Gem
eneral Miles dispatch Of June "a, 1
think, letter to the Secretary of War,
in which he proposed to have the army
march clean through Cuba and take So
GOO prisoners and work them and treat
them kindly?" General Corbin was
asked.
Yes sir was the answer, that let
ter was received and did not receive
the approval of the Secretary of War"
GENERAL MILES AND THE PLAN.
II would ask you whether the plan
of campaign against Santiago as adopt
ed was recommended by General Miles,
No sir, I do not think the recon-
mendations made in that letter Of May
81 We're approved" was General Cor
bins reply.
General Corbin said the matter of
medical supplies and medical officers
VAS left to the surgeon general ard that
the President, in every case would not
listen to appointing a medical officer
until recommended by the surgeon. gen
eral on the ground Of fitness.
General Corbin was asked now Il
happened, if there was anything wrong
at Chickamauga and Camp Alger. that
the Inspector general did not report it.
CONTRACTS WE'RE HONEST.
He replied that he did not see any Of
the inspectors reports from Cnllka-
manga. He said he knew Of no con-
tracts during the war that we:e in
fiuenced by anything that WIS not en-
tlrely honest and fair to the government
and that there was no instance Of favor
itisnn in making appointments.
How do you account" asked Cen
c-al Dodge, for all these complaints
against the various departments"
ITO a want of realization Of the
seventies Of war;
The commission then adjourned unit!
tomorrow.