The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-28
ALGER SEEMS IN FOR IT
AN INVESTIGATION OF HIS DE-
PARTMENT INEVITABLE

John Sherman Stands by His Orig
inal Views, and Adds a Little to
What He Had to Say Originally
ders Are Admitted by the Depart
ment officials.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-President
Mckinley left Washington today and,
so far as is known, without taking Of
f1cla1 notice Of the charges that are
pouring in from all quarters against
Secretary Of War Alger. But, though
action may be delayed, all official
Washington knows that the events of
the last two days have left the presi-
dent no option. He must order an in
Vestigation and unless he desires to
suffer in public opinion with the head
Of the war department it must be more
than g. conventional whitewash.
Miles and Sherman are the chief
thorns in the side of the war secretary.
After Miles bitter criticism Of the war
department in general and Gen. Cor
bin in particular, an Investigation Of
some kind cannot be avoided, and
Sherman's stand puts Alger in a posi-
ton where he must bear the brunt of
the coming inquiry. Mr.. Sherman has
no influence with the administration,
but his opinions are stin regarded as
having some weight in the councils Of
the Republican party. The fact that
he has taken up a position hostile to
Gen. Alger in the existing crisis will
make it harder for the friends Of the
secretary of war to show that ne Is not
responsible for the inefficiency and
misranagement which have character
lied the conduct of the department
since the breaking out of hostilities
With Spain.
SHERMAN STICKS TO TT.
There was some hope among Alger's
friends that Sherman would not stand
by his original views but this has
been effectually removed. When asked
If he had been correctly quoted In his
original interview criticising the man
agement Of the war, Mr. Sherman re-
piled that the quotation was substan-
TALLY correct. It was inaccurate In
some minor particulars as to form Of
expression, but generally expressed his
views He then reiterated some of the
criticisms for which he had been quot
ed, and spoke with intense feeling Of
what he described as monstrous mis-
management.
Il don't see,' he said, show there
can be any mistake or misrepresenta-
ton as to the condition of affairs
the camps. The official reports. the
statements Of responsible officers and
of the men who suffered in that cam
paign are all to the same effect, that
there was horrible suffering and great
loss Of life resulting from Inadequate
provision for the care Of the sick and
wounded, and that suitable food was
not provided for those whose condition
OF health would not admit Of their eat
ing army rations. They were short Of
medicines and suitable food, and did
not have surgeons enough ITO perform
the services which the condition of the
army demanded
I'VE have fully authenticated and
undlsputed accounts Of the wounded
lying in the wet grass and awaiting
their turn, while a single surgeon en-
deavored as best he could to attend
to the wounds of several hundred men.
The less severely wounded declined
treatment that those in more serious
condition might be more quickly cared
for
WHOLE STORY HORRIBLE.
THE whole story is too horrible to
talk about, and there can be no nos
slble excuse offered. I cannot under
take to say what individual authority
is responsible, but the facts themselves
are monstrous, and, whether the fault
lies with officers in the field, those
in the department or the secretary Of
war himself, the responsibility should
be fixed, and the person responsible
should be severely punished.
1T was known that there was to be
a battle; our army was sent there for
that purpose, and 1t was nothing short
of criminal to neglect those necessary
preparations for the care of the wound
ed and sick, and to provide for the sus-
tenance Of the army An investiga-
ton should be had at once, and an
example should be made Of those re-
sponsible. The president might order
an investigation. But I doubt whether
the matter can be adequately dealt
with except by congress. The per-
sons responsible should be impeached.
| and congress alone has the power of
Impeachment"
Alger's position is the more untena-
Bile because he has few friends in the
army. Leading army officials do not
hesitate to say that Alger is respon-
sible, not only for the tactical mis-
takes of the department, but for the
| scandals growing out of the transpor-
tation of troops and the awarding of
army contracts. The fight is now on,
| and the indications are that it will not
| retary of war So far as President
Mckinley is concerned, he will stand
by Alger to the last ditch, if necessary.
but he will hardly allow his personal
! friendship for the head Of the war de-
partment to carry him to the point of
wrecking his own administration. The
| president will endeavOr, as a last re-
sort, to find some way by which Alger
may leave the cabinet without having
| the war portfolio.
BLUNDERS ADMITTED.
| That blunders have been committed
in regard to the army camps, officials
| Of the war department are now frank
| to admit, but each is unwilling to have
the blame upon his shoulders. In re-
gard to the food at Camp Wikoff. Gen.
p rs 4 H. Il