The herald., 1898-11-03
THINGS TO CRITICISt
I'M THE MANAGEMENT OF WAR
WITH SPAIN
The WHOLE CUBAN CAMPAIGN
A Helter-Skelter Scramble in Which
Such Trifies as Food and Medicine
Were Ignored
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special wire
WASHINGTON, Nov 2.-The War In
yestigating Commission held session here
today for the purpose OF hearing the TEST
mony of Major Romeyne, relired army
officer. He said that he had asked at the
beginning of the war for a military assign
ment to go to the front in his capacity as an
officer, but was refused, and he then went
as correspondent of weekly newspaper.
His testimony covered the embarkation OF
the troops at Port Tampa and the cam
paign in Cuba. He said that when ne went
to Port Tampa the bank OF the. canal there
was covered with troops. lie had wanted
to 90 over with the Tenth Infantry, which
was his old regiment, but no one could tell
him where the regiment was to be found
lie asked staff officer and several others
for this information, but no one
appeared to know on what vessel any
particular troops were to embark. There
was great confusion as consequence Oh
which part of a regiment would go on one
vessel, part on another, and the regiments
were thus separated from their stores. He
had seen no order for the systematic EN-,
barkation of the troops, and he had heard
it said that they were told to go aboard
helter-skelter
When asked to express an opinion as to the
preparations for the embarkation the wit
ness hesitated, saying that to do so would
Involve LnC CFlClClsul VI MS SuPClioio' III
commissioners insisted upon reply and MIR
Romeyne replied that he did not think the
preparations were such as they should have
been
"There was" he said, "a lack of surf boats,
and also of order and of preparation for
landing. When the landing was undertaken
the troops left the ships Unfortunately,
parts going at one time and other parts at
other times"
He told of the efforts to tow two lighters
over to Cuba, but said that one was lost
and that it was the impression that 1T was
| lost on purpose, because 1T retarded the
progress Of the feet. In response to ques'
ton from General McCook, Major Romeyne
said That, while it was difficult to land any
thing, ambulances and wagons could hdyt ~
been landed as easily as the artillery. He
had seen only one ambulance to the front
at the battle of Ell Caney, and it was not
used for conveying wounded to the rear In
speaking of other incidents of this battle, ht
said there was general surprise that an IN
hated balloon had been carried at the heac
of the attacking column, thus indicating tc
the Spanards the exact location OF the
troops, but he did not know at whose orders
this had been done.
He said the town of Siboney was wthou
exception the dirtiest place he had eve
seen. No effort had been made to clean i
up before the fever broke out. There was ,
deficiency of proper food at the fever hosp
tails and the cooking was generally poor.
Any one in this hospital was liable to con
tract yellow fever. He had been ,patien
in the hospital and said there had been n
neglect of patients by the medical attend
lants at this hospital or at the hospital
for the wounded. He had known surgeon
in the latter hospitals to work 90 hour
without cessation.
"Why did they not have more surgeons!
asked Con. DENLY:
The witness said he could not answer.
valescents, ON the transport Concfio,, J, f1i iii
he criticised the provisioning of the vess,
in severe terms. Many of the men WEI
compelled to sleep in board hunks, withou
blankets or pillows, and were not covere
at night, except by the cotton uniform
which they wore during the day.
''The water was offensive to both sigh
and SMELL" he said, "and the food was poo
and scanty, none being provided especial
for convalescents. The meat was canne
and inferior, and much of the hard tack wa
moldy."
He also stated that there was only on
physician on board, and that he was con
valescent. Six men died on the way up, ant
Major Romeyne expressed the opinion, il
response to.a question from Capt. Howell
that with proper attention and good foot
the lives of at least some of the men coult
have been saved. lie said he was unable t,
that the captain of the vessel had stated tina
when he made application to go to Jamac;
for fresh food and water before starting OF
the voyage from Santiago, the request wa
refused.
Gen. Wilson, ex-governor, and Capt. How
ell go to Camp Meade for the purpose of in
specting that camp.