The times., 1898-08-04
LINE OFFICERS TO BLAME
Resultofthe InYesligationof the
Seneca and the ConchO.
THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Secretary Alger, 1t Appears, Excul-
pates the Medical Dpartment OF
the Service From Blame and
Says That No Recurrence of such
Conditions VIII BE Possible.


Apparently the investigation proposed
by the War Department to locate the
responsibility for the suffering condition
of the sick and wounded sent from san
tiago to New York recently on the trans
ports Seneca and Concho has come "a
a close, for an official statement in re-
gard TO the matter was made yesterday
afternoon by the Secretary OF War. ana
an order framed in strong language was
sent to Maj. Gen. Shafter.
The official statement. with the pre-
amble. which appeared on the typewrit-
ten matter handed TO the press. is This:
Washington. Aug. S-Concerning the
unfortunate occurrence on the ships
COncho and Seneca. that brought home
sick and wounded from Santiago. the
Secretary of War gives the following
statement after a careful investigation:
AT the time they left Santiago the
general desire of convalescents TO come
home doubtless overcrowded both ships
From the commencement of the Santi-
GED Ndn pdASl uiAA4A AAlLliA AGh h1ao
the terrible condition on the coast, where
our ships had no shelter and always with
high surf, made the landing of the troops,
supplies, ammunition, artillery and med
ical stores very difficult and there is no
doubt much inconvenience and suffering
was thereby caused that was unavoid-
able. The lighters that went with Gen.
-I,a
Two tows OF lighters were subsequently
sent, which We're also lost, and il was
impossible to get supplies ashore. except
with boats from the ships and those
supplied by the navy.
One Lonesome Lighter
Later on a lighter was furnished by
the navy, which was the only one there
for many days. On account of the great
number of sick and wounded, wh,cn Nas
In excess of what had been anticipated
there was no doubt much privation and
suffering. especially among the sick "a
Santiago.
q The captains of the Senaca and Con-
cho did not report to Gen. Shaf.er nor 20
Quartermaster Humphrey that they need
cd water. Had they done so, OF course,
II would have been provided. Then also
a large number of civilians rushed aboard
TO get away and they occupied many
stateroonls that should have beea given
over to the soldiers. No recurrence OF such
conditions VIII be possible hereafter and
no one regrets more than the Secretary
of War anything of he kind should have
happened. The general commanding that
army, the surgeon general and the quar-
termaster's and commissary departments
have done the best they could but un-
foreseen circumstances. named above. pre-
vented the conveniences provided that
Otherwise would have been furnished "
Order to Gen. Shafter.
The order to Gen Shafter, copy OF
which was also sent TO the commanding
generals in Porto Rico and the Phi ipDines.
follows:
'AdjuIant Generals Office,
Washington, Aug. 8 1898.
Commanding General Fifh Army
Corps, Santiago de Cuba:
The Secretary of War directs that YOU
be instructed as follows:
That whenever ii becomes necessary TO
use transports for sick or wounded pur-
poses il be made the duty of some ex-
pSAAG44NOu anu competent lutulCal OlAGtT
to see that only such transports as are in
good sanitary condition and are best
suited for the purpose are selected; that
the water supply on board is ample
in quantity and wholesome in quality:
that a sufficient supply OF food, medicine
and dressings, hospital stores, including
delicacies where possible TO obtain them,
ice, etc, are placed on board; that suf-
fcient number Of experienced medical Of
ficers and nurses accompany the sick and
wounded on the voyage; that there Is no
overcrowding OF the vessel but that
there are suitable accommodations for all:
that the departure of these ships be tele-
graphed TO the adjutant general and sur
geon general H. c. CORBIN,
'-Adjutant General.
Same to commanding general United
States forces. Porto Rico. and command
ing general Eighth Corps, Manila. care
United States consul, Hong Kong
Line officers Blamed.
It appears from the investigation made
by the Secretary of War that the fault in
regard to the condition of the Seneca and
Concho is really chargeable, in a large
measure, to line officers at Santiago. and
not TO the medical department How
much blame is to be charged to medical
officers at Santiago who failed to do Their
duty is not definitely known.
1t is expected that the Secretary's or
der viii be effective in making officers
more careful in the care of sick and
wounded soldiers, but the statement of
the Secretary does not attach the respon-
eibiiity TO any particular person or per-
sons.
Surgeon General Sternberg, who has de-
clared hostility 10 the Red Cross surgeons
and nurses and to female nurses gener-
ally. sent this telegram yesterday to the
chief surgeon of the Seventh Army Corps
ct Jacksonville:
I'm reply TO your letter of July %,
have to inform you that / do not approve
Of having female nurses with troops in
the field or in camps of instruction. But
An general hospitals or in permanent
camps where facilities exist for taking
care of them they may render valuable
assistance, and approve of the employ
ment of properly trained female nurses
under such circumstances"