The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-12
AIGER HEARD FROM.
Secretary's Response to Investigation
Commissions Queries.

Washington, Oct. 11.-Secretary AL
gers reply to the questions submitted
by the commission appointed by the
president to investigate the conduct
OF the war department in the war with
Spain, was made public today The
secretary OF war replied TO the several
questions as follows:
% Plan of campaign decided upon
Immediately after the declaration of
war Was it decided to move at once on
faVara or that the campaign should be
postponed until autum?
AnsWe r--lrnmediate blockade by the
navy of the important ports OF Cube, as
directed by the presidents proclamation;
the holding of troops at points nearest
TO Cuba to be available in any emergency
which might arise, and especially to be
ready for prompt assistance i'll case the
operations of the navy should make the
use OF land forces necessary or desirable.
Early in May, a plan was partially
matured to land force a Marel
point about 20 miles west of Havana, re-
ports having been received that in it's
immediate vicinity were high grounds
well watered and suitable for camping
trocns preparatory for movement upon
Havana later. if il was deemed advisable:
the thought being that possibly an as
sault might be made upon the forces de-
Tending that city before the rainy season
set in. Orders were issued TO move on
May 19, but subsequent plans were
CHANGED on account of further Informal
ton that there would be great danger to
the health OF the troops in that vicinity,
and also on account of the uncertainty of
the movements Of the enemy's fleet. 1t
was then determined to keep the forces
in the United States at points as near
Cuba as possible, for immediate embarka-
ton should an emergency demand it.
The Santiago campaign proved to be that
emergency.
1t may be added further that it was
believed after consultation with medical
Q1IthnritiDc 90 min in
ern states during the summer would be-
come somewhat acclimated for their
services in Cuba.
% When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
Answer-The Santiago campaign was
made necessary by the presence of Ad-
miral Cervera's fleet in Santiago harbor
but had previously been contemplated as
one point on the coast where a recon-
noissance in force was to be made to
ascertain the strength of the enemy in
the different locations in eastern Cuba.
The immediate destruction of Admiral
Cervera's fleet was necessary, and to
enable the navy to accomplish this the
military force under Major General
the city and province of Santiago. This
movement was FASTENED by reason of a
telegram received from Admiral Samp-
son on June Z. stating that he had bonn
barded forts at Santiago on June 6, and
silenced works quickly and If 10000 men
were there city and fleet could be cap
tured within As hours.
(See copies of kilograms herewith at
tached, marked A, b. c. d, e. F, G, H.)
1t is proper to state that after the date
of this message the Spanish garrison was
largely reinforced. The opinion of Adj
miral Sampson was doubtless correct at
the time. The troops sailed from
Tampa on June II, 1898, with 1G,9SS of
fcers and men,
(S) Why was Tampa selected as the
base of operations?
Answer-On account OF the shipping
facilities at that point and its comDara-
lively short distance from Cuba, render
ing any move of the troops possible on
short notice as the progress of the block
ade or any other condition might require
O Why were summer camps organized
at Fernandina, Jacksonville and Tampa?
Answer-All of the early, camps in the
south were selected with special regard
for the health of the troops and their
convenience for prompt movement by rail
and water The camp at Fernandina was
organized on the recommendation of the