The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-12-29

Washington. Dec. "a. Adjt. Gen.
Corbin was the first witness before
the war investigating committee and
was rigidly questioned regarding the
selection of Camp Alger Va. He tes-
titled that the removal Of Camp Alger
was directed by the secretary OF war
himself, and that its original estab-
liShment was recommended by Capt.
Seaburn, Of Gen. Miles staff. He,
Gen. Corbin, had said at the time it
could not be good camp ground be-
cause there was not sufficient range
| for rifle practice. He had understood
from the secretary of war that Gen.
Miles lad something to do with its Sc
lection. He was not certain Of Capt.
Seaburn's exact status, but he had I'M
derstoOd Capt. Seaburn had been sent
by Gen. Miles to make the inspection
| OF the camp site.
did Gen. Miles protest against or
do anything against the selection OF
| the camp" he was asked.
"Not to my knowledge" was the an
swer.
Gen. Corbin added that he did not
know the reasons for discontinuance
Of the camp. Asked when he first
Seriously Appreciated
| there would be hostilitiss, Gen. Cor
bin said he might say he did not seri-
| ously contemplate war until 1t was a
| fact, for he had hoped to the last mo-
| ment that 1t would be averted. On
| April 10 the army, for enc of it's size.
was well equipped and thoroughly sup
piled.
Seriously speaking" said Gen. Cor
| bin, II do not think the war depart
| ment contemplated war until it was
declared by congress and appropria-
| tions were thought Of, but there were
no general appropriations, except so
| far as the department was able to
meet the possibilities that confronted
| it,
Col. DENLY, who conducted the ex-
| animation, here suggested to Gen.
| COrbin that he observed the latter was
cautious and reticent, and explained:
| 'It is not our object to criticise STRAIT
egy That is not our business. The
strategy of the war may have been
| right and may have been wrong. But
our object is to determine whether the
war department acted efficiently"
Gen. Corbin said when Gen. SHAFT
| ter's expedition started 1t took all the
| transports it was possible to obtain.
| The supply was not equal to the de-
| mand. 1t had been planned 20 carry
about 25,OOO troops at that time In
stead Of the 1900 taken, He referred
to the letter of Gen. Miles, dated June
"a, laying cut the plan of campaign or
the war. and said it was not approved.
MIL. T,,.coI no~~A
''Do you know anything about Cen.
Miles dispatch Of June "a, think a
letter to the secretary Of war in which
he purposed to have the army march
clean through Cuba and take $1,000
prisoners and work them and treat
them kindly?
Eyes, sir" was the answer. THAT
letter was received and did not receive
the approval of the secretary Of war"
"You say the proposition made by
Gen. Miles to carry on the campaign
i'm the manner which he indicates in
that letter was disapprOved?"
ut was not approved" replied Cen
Corbin.
II would ask you whether the plan
Of campaign against Santiago was
recommended by Gen. Miles"
81 do not think the Recommendations
made in the letter Of May q were APP
proved" was Gen. Corbins reply.
He had no suggestions to make
based on the experience Of this war.
but should be afraid to see another
war for fear it would not result So
well, or with so little loss Of life.
Gen. Corbin was asked how it hap
pened if there was anything wrong at
Chickamauga or Camp Alger that the
inspector generals did not report 1t.
lie replied that he did not see any OF
the inspectors reports from Chicka-
manga. He knew Of no contracts
that were Influenced by anything not
entirely honest and fair to the govern
ment, and that there was no instance
of favoritism in making appointments
How do you account" asked Gen
Dodge, ''for all these complaints
against the various departments"
'To want of realization of the Sc
yerities of war"
The commission then adjourned.