Morris tribune., 1898-09-28
AFEWQUERIES
War Investigation Commission
Asks for Information on Va
rious Subjects.
Secretary Alger Is Requested
Through the Heads of De-
partments
TO Practically Give a Statement
Of All Operations During
the War.
Alger Himself Requested to Give
Ia asOnS for Certain General
Movements.

WAsHINGToN, Sept 28.-The war IN
vesngating commission resumed 1t:
Ia RS at 10 o'clock a. IN. in the Lemon
hull ing and at the close of the morn
ing SESSION, gave out number OF doc
nments bearing upon the work to be
undertaken. These comprise the letter
o. Secretary Alger to the president, re-
auk,tlmg that the investigation be
nlaae; brief address to the public in
the ,ns pc of resolution; letter from
Cha: man Dodge to the secretary in
clo- II list of inquiries to the score
tag a d to the various heads of the
div,Aons of the war department, call
aug .ur specific information bearing
l.on tEe conduct of the war.
Information Desired.
T e commissions letter to Secretary
a. r IL dated at the Office of the COM
XII lOa and is as follows:
To tiae Secretary of War:
Sm-Pursuant to authority conferred
mo" us by the president, we have the
hon TO request that you direct the
adlu ant general, the quartermaster
gen a. the commissary general, the
surg general, the chief Of ordnance
ana ne chief OF engineers, to furnish
us * on as practicable information
as as the condition of their several de.
par 1n-ats a. the time of the declara-
4ioe oi war with Spain, and the opera.
siosf of those departments from that
tlns~ until the present.
We desire the information to include
thr Glowing, viz:
i The times and places of the
II b,i zution OF the regular and volun-
1eer troops
2ut THE organization of these
tro~ps into the various subdivisions of
ahe ~rny, the personnel of the brigade,
DIVISION, corps and army commanders,
and Of their stats, whether appointed
from the permanent Establishment,
i'll the national guard, or from civil
life
3rd-The amount and kind of camp
C. z; rrison equipment and other sup
nj Tnat were on hand at the begin
mn f the war, the amount subse.
uuen,ly purchased, when and where
put>hssed, when and where delivered
TO your department., and when and
gneev actually issued to the troops.
A :l.--oimilar information in regard
{ tnruIshlng the troops with arms and
q on renents
;, - Which of the volunteers were
Rrned AMI equipped in the various
sta,e Camps, and which in the general
sans,
Upon whose recommendation
Or judgment the various general rem.
d.z oJ.s were selected, and the reasons
for such selection.
7A-Fuu particulars relative to the
trat spursALiou Of troops by sea, giving
an count of the provisions made for
the. accommodation and care of the sick
and wounded.
8 An account of the quantity,
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops, and in case that any of them
taI:ed of being plentifully and season.
ably suppl ID, state the reasons there.
10
9:h.-As to the proper tentage, beds,
linen, medicines, food and all neces.
sary equipment and supplies for the
use of ne hospital corps of the army.
Ii there was any lack of these things
at any time. state tIe reason therefor
10th. -Whethec the medical staff
was efficient ana sufficient at all times
70 the p.op,r care of the sick and
w uuted, and it not state the reasons
therefor.
Hin. Such information relative to
the condition and operations of the
ordnance and enEineering departments
as will be of value t. US in our inves.
LEGATIONS
We have outlined briefly a portion
OnIy OF the information that we trust
you will be abe TO give US. 1t will be
Ratis' a"tory to have it communicated
TO US III whiting, or by the chiefs of the
several bureau, III person, with the su o.
I'M S. IL of slcn records confirming
taelr statements as they may be
pleased to hand US.
A., aid you in complying with this
reg .e-t, GEere is submitted herewith
isE OF enal questions for which, as
far es IS possible, answers are desired.
Questions for Alger.
TO Secretary Alger the commission
ha' addressed six queries for his reply.
Information desired from secretary
war:
1st.-Plan of campaign proposed i'm.
mediately after he declaration Of war;
was it intended to move at once on
HAy ma or that campaign should be
postponed until the autumn?
Sd.-When was the Santiago cam.
paign determined upon9
3A-Why was Tampa selected as the
knso Of operations3
Why were summer camps or.
Yanizsd at Fernandina, Jacksonville
and Tampa?
5th.-When was the Porto Rico cam.
pRign determined upon?
6th.-Why were the troops held on
transports after embarkation at Tampa