The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-10-12
SECRETARY ALGER'S REPLY
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OF VAR
 INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.

How and When the Santiago Campaign
 from Admiral Sampson That Hastened
 Movement of Troops-Light Thrown
 on the War by the Publication of Im-
 portant Official TeleSrams to and from
 shafter, Also to Miles and from Lee.
 Washington, Oct. 1.-The following is Secretary Alger's reply to the ques- tions of the war Investigating comm.s- sion:
 War Department, Washington, Oct. 6,
 1898.
 Major General Grenville M. Dodge,
 president of the commission appoint
 ed by the president to investigate the
 conduct of the war department in the
 war with Spain:
 Sir-I have the honor herewith to hand you information desired from the secretary of war, as referred to in your letter of September 27, 1898.
 Very respectfully
 R. A. Alger Secretary.
 l. Plan of campaign proposed imme- diately after the declaration of war; was it intended to move at once on Havana or that the campaign should be postponed until the autumn?
 Answer-Immediate blockade by the navy of the important ports of Cuba, as directed by the presidents procla- nation. The holding of troops at points nearest to Cuba to be available in any emergency which might arise, and es- pecially to be ready for prompt as- sistance In case the operations of the navy should make the use of land forces necessary or desirable.
 Early in May plan was partially matured to land a force at Mariel, a point about twenty-five miles west of Havana, reports having been received that in it's immediate vicinity were high grounds, we'll watered and suitable for camping troops preparatory for move ment upon Havana later if it was deemed advisable; the thought being that possibly an assault might be made upon the forces defending that city before the rainy season set in. Or ders were issued to that effect on May g, but subsequently, plans were changed on account of further information 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. It was then determined to keep the forces in the United States at points as near Cuba as possible for immediate embarkation should an emergency de- mand it. The Santiago campaign proved to be that emergency It should be added further that it was believed, after consultation with medical authorities that troops camp ing in southern states during the sum- mer would become somewhat acclm- ated for their service in Cuba. 2. 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 har- Dor; but had previously been contem- plated as one point on the coast where reconnaissance in force was to be made to ascertain the strength of the enemy in the different localities in east ern Cuba. | The immediate destruction of Admir- | al Cervera's fleet was necessary, and | to enable the navy to accomplish this the military force under Major General | Shafter, U. $. ", was directed to move at once on the city and province of San ha eff aH | by reason of a telegram received from | Admiral Sampson on June ' stating | that he had bombarded forts at Santi- ago June and silenced works quickly; and if 10000 men were there, city and | fleet could be captured within forty | eight hours.
 (See copies of telegrams herewith at tached, marked A, B, c, D, E, F. G and H)
 It is proper to state that after the date of this message the Spanish gar- rison was largely reinforced. The opin- | ion of Admiral Sampson was doubtless correct at the time. The troops sailed from Tampa on June IA, 1S9S with 169SS officers and men.
 3-Why was Tampa selected as the | base of operations?
 Answer-On account of the shipping | facilities at that point and its compar- atively short distance from Cuba, ren- | dering any movement of the troops pos sble on short notice as the progress of the blockade or any other sudden con- 1 dition might require.
 4-Why were summer camps organ | ized at Fernandina, Jacksonville and Tampa?
 | Answer-All of the early camps in | the south were selected with special re- gard for the health of the troops and their convenience for prompt movement by rail and water. The camp at Fer l nandina was organized on the recom- mendation of the major general com manding the army. The camp at Jack l sonyille was selected on the recommen- dation of Major General Lee, United | States Volunteers, commanding the 1 Seventh army corps. Copy of telegram herewith attached, marked "I.D A permanent camp was never con- | templated at Tampa. Troops were sent | there preparatory for embarkation and were kept there to be ready for any 1 emergency and later to embark for Por- to Rico and upon the signing of the protocol the troops, being no longer re- uuired at Tampa, were sent to Hunts vile, Ala, a camp selected by officers detailed to ascertain the best camping ! site. having in view health and comfort