Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-23
Re Thinks the Moving Of the Troops
Has Been Fairly Successful.
QUlR1ERyAS1ERS ARE INCOMPETENT
4 Prominent Railroad Omeial Scores the
QuArtsrnsster's Observation-Disclosures
Of PrOvislsns Allowed to spoil and
Then dumped Into the Sea.

~SSO'b RuAsSA W w" AA"NSt AsNy De-' -
and Col. Greenleaf. OF his staff arrived
In Washington yesterday, after having
directed the departure OF the first army
OF invasion to Cuba 1t had been his
intention to remain in the field, d.
recting the succeeding expeditions
which will follow rapidly from this
time forward, all Of them, it can be
stated, part Of we'll matured often
sive campaign. He conferred with
Secretary Alger for half an hour be-
fore the cabinet meeting, and then had
long talk with Gen. Luddington,
quartermaster general, on the condi.
ton Of the quartermaster's supplies
He came In response TO telegraphic
summons from the secretary Of war,
who desires to 20 over certain phases
of the campaign with him. Speaking
in general way Of his observations,
Gen. Miles said:
Having spent some time with the troops
during trying period Of hurried preparations,
am glad to say that they are splendid body
Of men, Of which the country may well be
proud As to the regulars, they are the finest
physical development, efficiency, experience,
discipline, craftsmanship, equipment and oil
that goes to make up hrst-class soldiers
OF course the volunteer army Is not as well
equipped Some Of the states sent men Into
the field In very good condition, notably Mas
sachusetts and New York Others sent their
quotas without arms, equipment or clothing
They were not soldiers at all. only employed
men II takes time to make soldiers Of the
men, There must be uniforms, arms, ammuni-
ton. equipment camp eQuipage, tent
age, transportation and hospital supplies
Then, In addition they have to
have ordnance, artillery, siege trains,
entrenching tools horse equipments, engineer
ing appliances Of all kinds, balloon appliances,
etc After that comes the great question OF
moving an army across the sea, with oil the
dangers and vicissitudes Of an ocean voyage
The work. with its infinite detail has been
carried out, am glad to say, with fair de-
gree OF success, and the command Of 1000 men
under Gen Shafter moved away with an out
burst Of patriotism which overcame the trials
they had passed through.
Gen. Miles does not apprehend any
long or serions delay In disembarking
the troops on Cuban soil. The trans
ports have large number OF small
boats to assist in this work. The en-
cheering corps has large barges and
a pontoon train, by which they can
put together a floating pier, SO that,
unless there is very rough sea or the
men are compelled to disembark in the
surf, which is not anticipated, the dis.
embarkation is expected to proceed
rapidly. When Gen. Miles was asked
If he expected an early fight, he an.
swered, laconically: "That's what
they've gone for"
INCOMPETENCE OF QUARTERMAsTERs
CHICAGO, June Is. "A prominent rail-
road official who returned from Tampa
yesterday said that the health Of the
troops there was excellent DR.. Ged-
dings, Of the United States marine
hospital service, had stated that the
history Of army camps in the past did
not show so low percentage of sick
ness, and he was corroborated by
other army medical officers The rail
road official himself said he had visited
all the camps and was surprised at the
small number Of sick soldiers. He
then said:
The delays attending the transportation Of
troops from Tampa were caused by the lack Of
ability on the part OF army quartermasters
who seemed to be utterly unable to properly
discharge their duties Many car loads of pro-
visions for the troops were not handled prompt
ly and their contents, in consequence. spoiled
and had to be thrown into the sea- The mag
niicent military system OF the United States
Is defective in the Quartermaster' depart
ment There is apparently lack Of quarter
masters who have thorough knowledge OF
up-to date rail as well as ship transportation.
1t seems to me that the remedy for 1t is to give
instructions at West Point In transportation.
so that army officers can supervise the work Of
this most important department and see that
1t is properly done
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