The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-09-10
ABOUT CAMP WIKOFF
Alger Talks About Its Health Con-
ditiOns and Hospital Service.



Washington, Sept g. Secretary Al
ger, who returned late Saturday night
from New York after his inspection
tour through Camp Wikoff at Montauk
point with President Mckinley and
several Of the bureau officials of the
war department, commented last night
upon the conditions OF the camp and
stated the results Of his visit The
secretary said:
l feel certain, after a careful examination OF
Camp Wikon and q thorough Investigation of
Its conditions. that everything possible Is be-
ing done Tor the men. both sick and we'll. who
are detained there The camp is an admirable
one-the best, think, 1 ever saw. The site Is
ideal tits beautiful without being picturesque,
and is certainly as healthful camp location
as could be found In the eastern country.
While the conditions are as good as could
reasonably be expected In the circum-
stances-even better than ever knew them to
be in camp-a shade Of gloom Is cast over tho
encampment by the physical condition OF the
men. Sickness, suffering and death mar what
would otherwise be magnificent military pic
ture These conditions. however. are not the
result Of the situation Of the camp itself, but
Of the terrible campaign through which the
troops passed That campaign at Santiago
will be memorable in the military history OF
the world 1t was wonderful both in its con-
duct and In the results accomplished Few
military experts expected when the campaign
was inaugurated that such success could be
achieved In so short time II was tremen-
dous undertaking to begin campaign In a
tropical country during the rainy season
against q position naturally so strong and so
dafa 81 Ms hat ouacaaa
was achieved so soon and with loss compare
lively so small is due to the energy and ability
OF Gen Shafter and his commanding officers
and 70 the dash, bravery and splendid fighting
qualities OF the men Of Gen Skaters corps
talked with Gen. Shafter and he discussed
some Of the obstacles which had TO be over
come In the Santiago campaign He said that
when he arrived In Cuba and realized the con-
ditlons that confronted him and his men, he
knew that the campaign must OF necessity be
one OF days rather than OF weeks and months
He had lost nearly all his lighters and was
thus seriously handicapped in effect
ing landing Of both his troops
| and the stores and supplies which
| the feet carried The tremendous rains which
| set in Immediately after his arrival rendered
It next TO impossible for either the troops OF
supplies TO be gotten forward He felt how
ever, that whatever we're the dliiiculties he
must pross forward and II possible end the
| campaign In the brlefest time The climatic
conditions were such that to lose any time
meant the destruction Of his command by Ill
ness and the consequent failure OF tho expedl-
tion He took no chances on delays, therefore
but swept his gallant army upon the Spaniardi
| with such irresistible dash that victory wa,
won almost before the Spaniards themselvei
realized what they had to encounter
4 81. ~
| Shafter waited until his army and its supplies
could have been sent forward, with ordnar!
deliboration the expedition against Santiag,
would have failed utterly. In o measure 1
was his disregard for military conventional
ties that enabled him TO carry the campaign b
| brilliantly successful issue II is PARTICULAR
notable that the men who were actually en-
gagged in the Santiago campaign arc not com
planning OF their treatment / talked wilt
scores OF them-I was about saying hundreds
and not breath OF complaint did l hear fror
any OF them They suffered, they are suffer
ing yet, but they endured and are endurin
their trials like Spartans There may be in
diyldual cases OF complaints It would indee
be strange II there were not; but as body tn
afmy Of Gen. ShafttA Is not only satisfied wit
the situation but immeasurably proud OF II
marvellous achievements
about the condition OF the men who are II
He went TO Camp Wikof to ascertain for him
self whether tine men In the ranks needed any
thing that they were not getting His order
| were that they should not want for nothing
but he desired personally TO know whethe
those orders were being carried out Afte
several hours OF patient investigation and care
full examination. he left camp satisfied thu
the men were being as well cared for as the
could be In field hospital He took no ofiicii
word for anything Such visit as PresideI
Mckinley made to Camp Wikofi is almo'
unique In military annals He went TO cam
equipped with knowledge judgment and exp,
rence to make an investigation. He had serve
In the camp and in the field himself and
knew what ought to be expected in the circun
stances That he was reasonably well Statistic
with the conditions as he found them Is q qua
antee that they are not far wrong.
Conditions have changed materially durlr
the third OF a century since the civil war. Tn
was noted especially by every one OF the o
4 soldiers in our party yesterday. In the no
pitfalls at Camp Wil1off the patients have plen
Of ice, milk, lemons and many delicacies whit
: we're seldom seen In the field hospitals durir
the last war Then, too, each cot is suppl,
with fresh, clean sheets and pillow cases ea,
day and there are trained female nurses
look after the wants OF every patient The
things now are the tribute q grateful Cover
ment pays to its splendid soldiers who in ad
Ing luster to the fame Of their country, ha
won for themselves glory that time will n
dim.
Secretary Alger said there was I
intention Of abandoning Camp Wikoi
The troops will be kept there SO lor
as 1t may be deemed desirable to ket
up the camp. A runner was given Gu
rency that the camp having BET
found by the president to be insult
BILE for its purposes, was to be aba
doned Immediately. This Secretal
Alger pronounced TO be withol
foundation.