Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-10-06
GEN. WHEELER EXAMINED.
His Testimony to the Effect
That the Army Was
Well Managed.
NO LACK OF SUPPLIES.
He Gives an Account to the Com.
mittee of His Experience From
the Beginning.
NO LACK OF SUPPLIES.

Regiments Which Were without Food and
Medicines Could Have Secured Them for
the Asking-No Com plants Reached Him
His Work in Cutting Red Tape ut Camp
Wikof.
Washington, Oct. 6.-President Nc
Kinley's war investigating commits
sion to-day heard in part its first wit
ness. Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler
told of the operations of the division
under his command In Cuba and of his
observations and experiences at Camp
Wikoff, Montauk Point. The plan cf
campaign pursued in Cuba, he thought,
was preferable to that which had been
suggested, Of reducing the forts and
towns around Santiago by the miit-
ary forces, against which he protested
vigorously in letter to Gen. Shafter.
Gen. Wheeler admitted that there
was lack of transportation facilities
at Santiago, but commended Gen.
Shafter for so utilizing what was at
hand as to make the campaign a sue
cess. In this part of Gen. Wheelers
testimony there cropped out his only
criticism of Gen. Shafter 1t related
to the order of embarkation, which
placed his division fourth. Being sec
ond in command. and his forces con-
sisting of cavalry, Gen. Wheeler
thought it should be first. There wal5
objection to the transports lying off
shore so great distance while the eX-
petition and stores were DISSEMINATING
1t was difficult to determine who was
in command of the transports; they
were under the charge of the Quarter
masters division of the army.
The medical division, he said was
fairly well organized; ordnance sup
plies and rations were promptly fur
nished In reply to a direct question
from Gov. Beaver, who conducted the
examination on behalf of the com
mission, Gen. Wheeler said that in his
observation he saw no omission that
ordinary prudence of commander or
foresight of an intelligent head or staff
could have obviated. There was no
suffering from lack of ordnance OF
commissary stores; no wounded un-
cared for and no ambuscade of troops;
no wormy or mouldy food and no ne
glect of soldiers.
Gen. Wheeler's testimony regarding
matters at Camp Wikoff was not con-
cluded when the commission adjour-
ned for the day, and that will be con-
tinued tomorrow. He made general
statement of the condition of things
at Wikoff; described what had been
done by him as commander, under the
Presidents especial direction and or
der, and approved most heartily Of the
selection of the site.
Gen Wheeler admitted that there
were cases of wrongdoing, but said
that as soon as abuses were discovered
he gave orders that stopped them.
Out of hospital population of 10000
there was less than 800 deaths. Alto
| gether the General said the idea of
the camp was splendid and It's site and
conditions magnificent in view of the
results, not single case of yellow
fever having been developed from
all those who were brought there sick
from a yellow fever country. There
was no red tape at Camp Wikoff, Gen.
Wheeler said, and no acquisitions. All
supplies, of which there was an abun-
dance, were granted on application.