Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-09-03

/ Sept. 3.-Major General Joseph Wheeler
| gave a statement to The Associated
Press yesterday, dated Sept. /, giving
sample of the letters they we're con-
stantly receiving regarding the soldiers
III the camp, the letter saying in part:
"In regard to my stepson, we feel
very uneasg about him on account of
the newspaper reports of the privation
and suffering inflicted ON the private
soldiers. Although he has never uttered
complaint since he has been in the
army, we hear from other sources of
the cruel and horrible treatment in
ficted on our soldiers under the pre-
tense of humanity for our neighbors
and the whole country is il a state Of
terrible excitement. | should not be
surprised il the feeling should lead to a
revolution OF some kind, for | assure
you [ hear on all sides the most violent
and bitter denunciations of the war de-
partment and the administration.
General Wheeler then said in part.
'sIt will be seen that this letter says
that not word of complaint has been
received from this soldier, and, so far
as my investigation goes, no complaint
has been made by any of the brave sol
diers that have added glory to our arms
in the Cuban campaign. A great many
anxious fathers, mothers, brothers on
sisters arrive here from all parts of the
United States to look after their rela-
tives whom, they say the papers tell
them, are suffering, and many of them
have heard that their relatives are in u
condition of starvation. They are sur
prised when they come here to find
their relations surrounded with every
thing to eat which can be procured by
money, and If sick in the hospital,
they are gratlfied and surprised to find
that they are given every possible care
He said that every officer and soldier
who went to Cuba regarded that he
was given great and special privilege
in being permitted to engage in that
campaign. They knew they were to
encounter yellow fever and other dis
eases, the torrid heat of the country;
that it was impossible for them to have
the advantage OF wagon transportation,
would have TO carry their blankets and
their rations on their backs, and to be
subjected. without any shelter, TO the
sun and rains by day and the heavy
dews by night. They certainly knew
that the Spaniards had spent years in
erecting defenses and it was their pleas
ure to assault and their duty to capture
the Spanish works.
They went there and did their duty
The brave men who won the victories
did not complain of the neglect of the
government. They realized that in the
hurried organization of an expedition
by government which had no one
with any experience in such matters, it
was impossible TO have everything ar
ranged to perfection; and they would
testify that under the circumstances the
conditions were much more perfect than
anyone would have reason to expect
and that the president and secretary of
war and others deserve high oommenda-
ton.
One reason, he said, why the army
was lacking in some respects in equip
page was that telegram was received
from Admiral Sampson stating that if
the army reached there immediately
they could take the city at once. but ii
there should be delay, the Notifications
of the Spaniards would be so perfected
that there might be great difficulty in
taking it. The army was directed to
move at once.
At that time it was regarded as I'M
safe for merchant ship to sail to San
tiago, but as soon as the Spanish fleet
was destroyed the generous people of
the United States subscribed money and
dispatched ship after ship loaded with
luxuries and delicacies for the Santiago
army. and everything that could be ac-
complisned for their comfort was done
by the president and secretary of war
Then General Wheeler further said
in part:
"After the surrender had been COM
pleted and arrangements perfected for
transporting the Spanish army to Spain
the president and secretery of war sent
shipping to Santiago and transported
our army to one of the most healthful
localities in the United States. The
point selected by the secretary of war
was so situated that thorough protec-
ton was given the people of the United
States from the danger of yellow fever
contaSion. The soldiers, upon their ar
rival at this place. received every care
and bounty which could be procured by
money. The president and secretary of
war directed that their health and COM
fort should be cared for without refer
ence 20 expense, and in addition, the
people within circle of 100 miles We'd
with each other in shipping TO them
carloads and steamboat loads of luxur-
les of all kinds
There is no doubt that there have
been individual cases of suffering and
possibly neglect among the soldiers, not
orlF in Cuba, but since their arrival al
this place Nearly 10000 men were
hr9ug = .roai yellow fever district to
the United States. 1t would have bec-A
cri1.jra 10 have landed them and
alb 81 shen to go promlscuously among
til lie,
ryone will realize that to land