The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-23
CORD|A ON THE STAND
He Takes a Fling or Two at
General Miles.
CAUTIOUS AND ReTICENT
The Innumerable Complaints Were &C.
casioned by Ignorance of the Sc
verities or the war-He
Fears Another War.

Washington. Dec. 22.-Adjutant Gen.
eral Corbin was the first witness before
the war investigating committee to-
day, and was rigidly questioned regard
ing the selection of Camp Alger. He
testified that the removal Of Camp Al
ger was dictated by the secretary of
war himself, and its ~origina. establish
ment was recommended by Captain
Seaburn of Miles stsff. He tCorbin)
had said at the time IL could not be
a good camp. because there was not
sufficient range for rifle practice. He
had understood from h secretary of
war that Miles had something to do
with its selection.
Did Miles protest or do anything
against the selection Of the camp"
MOT to my knowledge was the an
swer.
Corbin added that he did not kno
the reason for the discontinuance of the
camp. AS to Camp Wikon. Corbin told
OF troops and horses there about Aug.
S. those left behind in the south from
expeditions from Santiago and Porto
Rico. and said that the transportation
of these had not, so far as he knew. led
TO railroad congestion or interefered
In any way with the carriage OF sup
plies for the troops subsequently arriV-
ing. He said one reason for It's selec-
ton was the excellent facillties Tor wa
ter transportation. he said the camp
at Tampa was never designed for any
thing but a point OF embarkation, ana
said the first complaints he had heard
from Camp Thomas, Chlckamauga'
were I'm the press.
Asked when he first seriously appre-
hanIaI thara xuntld ha hnGtfifiaG Gem
eral Corbin said ne might say ne dld
not seriously contemplate war until II
was n fact. for he had hoped to the last
moment IL would be averted. On April
10 the army. for one OF It's size. was wen
equipped and thoroughly supplied.
He said prior to the war there had
been no complaints or refrigerated or
canned beef. and that they were used
by the armies OF the world ana IN COM
merce. IL was no new experiment.
seriously speaking, said Corbln, Il
do not think the war department con,
templated the war until II was declared
by congress and appropriations were
available. There was no general pre-
paration except so Tar as the uepart-
ment was able TO meet the POSSIBILITIES
that confronted II.
Colonel DENLY here suggested to Cor
bin that he observed the latter was eau
tious ana retlcent explained:
egg. The strategy OF war may nave
been right ana IL may nave peen wrong.
Our object Is 10 determine whether the
war department. acted enclently.
He said when the Smarter expedition
started IL o all the transports IL was
possible TO obtain. The ppiy was not
equal To the demand: ~ had Deen plan-
ned 10 carry ABOUT Zo'Ooo troops AT tnat
Time, instead or the l'VVo takeh' ne
referred 10 the Ie'ter OF Mics. ua,eu
June ~, laying out a pan ol
or the war, ana sald IL was not app
proved.
DO you know anything about cen
eral Miles dispatch OF June "a tnink'
a letter TO the secretary or warm Whlcn
he purposes 10 nave the army Harcn
clean through CuDa anu take ou'VVV
prisoners n work them ana treat
them kindly? General Cofplh was
asked.
Yes, sir" was the answer. 'That let
ter was received and did not receive the
approval or the secretary OF war.
You say the proposition MADE D
General Miles TO carry on the Uampaisn
in the manner which he indicates IN
hat letter was disapproved?
1T was not approved, replied Cor
bin.
II would ask you whether the plan OF
campaign against Santiago was recon-
mended by General miles,
Il do not think the recommendatlohs
made in that letter OF May "a sNere ap-
proved was the reply.
General Corbin said there had been a
shortage OF uniforms. canvas and tent
age. The factories had not made the
advance preparations that had been eN-
pected. There had never peeh any tIou-
BILE concerning provisions, he SAID. The
matter OF medical ppll n medlcai
officers was LEFT to the surgeon general
n the preslueht IN every Cast Noulu
not listen TO appointing a meulcal oln'er
until recommended py the surgeon gen,
eral on the ground OF hihess; ne hau
no suggestions 10 make paseu on th'se
reports. was alialu TO see ahu'heI wa,
Tor Tear ~ woulu not resui. 80 WI, W
with SO niue loss OF ire. huNeItnns W
Genefal Mics Compiaiht '"at Pas"as