The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-31
BEGINNING
TO PROBE
General Wheeler Orders
an Investigation.
WILL GO TO THE BOTTOM
Danger From Longer Occupation of
Camp at Montauk.
WILL GO TO THE BOTTOM
ROUGH RIDERS DISSATISFIED.

Montauk Point. Aug. 31.-Camp VII
toff is to be investigated General
Wheeler has ordered General Adelbert
Ames. chief of staff on General Kent's
STAFF. 10 conduct an investigation. He ic
given almost autocratic power. General
Wheeler has told him TO get at the bot
tom OF all the things which have been
complained ef. The subjects General
Ames is to investigate are: Why the
general condition of the campis so poor;
why the conditions exist :who IL respon-
sible; why troops were sent TO the camp
before IL was ready to receive them;
why, since there was but one railroad
leading into the camp. boats were not
used TO carry. men and provisions from
New York city; why needed medicines
were not ordered. or. II they were or
dered. why they were not distributed; /;
why the hospitals are crowded: why
transports were allowed TO lie in the
harbor without supplies and relief be-
ing sent out TO them.
General Wheeler said, regarding the
charges made by Secretary OF War AL
ger, that the real condition OF the camp
had been suppressed during his visit:
II do not believe that General Alger
made that statement. At any rate, II
would be manifestly improper for me to
reply TO any criticisms made by the Sec
retary OF war,through the public press"
General Wheeler Is apparently doing
all that one man can do to expurge the
horrors from the camp. Many OF the
regular army officers are not only bull
headed but they are brutal and persist
In following the cursed red tape of the
government to the bitter end. They will
not abate a. jot I'm their prerogatives,
even at General Wheeler's suggestion.
A thousand lives will probably depend
upon the action of the government with
regard TO this camp,
In view of the fever epidemic which
DIR. Sem regards as inevitable. orders
will be impossible. however, to do away
with the drainage In the cup-like swamps
between the various hills. The physi-
clans throughout the camp are wonder
ing II the government win hold the troops
here against all warnings, allowing them
to die like sheep. without taking meas
ures to prevent such q state of things
by breaking up the camp and sending
the soldiers to the different army posts
throughout the west.
Much OF the distress has been caused
by the carelessness and culpable ignor-
ance OF the contract surgeons. They or
der medicine and expect IL delivered af-
ter the fashion OF thedepartment stores
instead OF sending after II themselves. |
The same state OF Affairs prevails In re-
gard to provisions. One or the cavalry |
had nothing to eat but hard
tack and coffee. The commissary had |
ordered provisions. but had neglected |
to send for them. The delinquent officer |
was severely scored by General Wheeler. |
DR.. Nicholas Sem, assistant surgeon |
general OF the United States and chief !!
Df the operating stan at Camp wikoe.
said that IL the troops are kept here I'm
this camp another month they will all |
De dead or sick with typhoid fever. II do
lot say this without having carefully |
the situation" he continued.