The herald., 1898-10-12
To the Questions Asked by the
Commission
THE SMALLEST DETAILS SET FORTH
Except As Those Matters Concerning Which the Pubc
Has Presumed to Accuse the Secretary Of War
Of lncompetency
OF lncon1petency

VI 4llSOl
WASHINGTON, Oct. i1.-Secretary Al
gers reply to the questions submitted by
the commission appointed by the president
to investigate the conduct of the war de-
partment in the war with Spain was made
public today. The secretary OF war re-
plies to the several questions a. follows:
Campaign Plans
First-Plan OF campaign decided upon
Immediately after the declaration Of war.
Was 1t decided 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 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 In case the
operations Of the navy should make the
use OF land forces necessary or desirable.
Early in May q plan was partially ma
turcd to land a force at Mariel. point
about twenty-six miles west OF Havana,
reports having been received that In Its
immediate vicinity were high grounds.
we'll watered and suitable for camping
troops preparatory for a movement upon
Havana later, II 1t 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.
Orders were Issued to move on May 10. but
subsequently plans were changed on &C
count of further information that there
would be great danger to the health Of the
troops In that vicinity; and also on ac-
count of the uncertainty Of the movements
of the enemy's fleet. 1t was then deter
mined to keep the forces in the United
States at points as near Cuba as possible
for immediate embarkation, should an
emergency demand 1t. The Santiago cam
paign proved to be that emergency. 1t
should be added, further. that 1t was be-
lieved, after consultation with medical au-
thorities, that troops camping In southern
states during the summer would become
acclimated for their services in Cuba.
Santiago Campaign
Second-when was tho Santiago CAM
paign determined upon?
Answer-The Santiago campaign was
made necessary by the presence Of Ad-
miral Cervera's feet in Santiago harbor,
but had previously been contemplated as
one point on the coast where . reconnoie-
ance in force was to be made to ascertain
the strength Of the enemy in the different
locations in Eastern Cuba The fmme-
date destruction OF Admiral Cervera's
fleet was necessary; and to enable the navy
to accomplish this. the military force under
Major General Shafter was directed to
move at once on the city and province OF
Santiago. This movement was FASTENED
by reason of telegram received from Adj
miral Sampson OF June 7th stating that
he had bombarded forts at Santiago on
June 9th and silenced works quickly. and
II 10000 men were there the city and neet
could be captured within forty-eight hours.
(Sea copies Of kilograms herewith at
tached marked A. B. c. D. e. r. g. H. L.
1t Is proper to state that after the date
Of this message the Spanish garrison was
Sampson was doubtless correct at the time.
The troops sailed from Tampa on June "A.
1898, with 1888 officers and men.
Selection Of Tampa
Third-Why was Tampa selected a. the
base Of operations?
Answer-On account of the shipping IA
cilities at that point and its comparatively
short distance from Cuba, rendering any
movement Of the troops possible on short
notice as the progress OF the blockade, or
any other sudden condition might require.
Summer Camps
Fourth-Why were summer camps or
ganised at Fernandina, Jacksonville and
Tampa?
Answer-All Of the camps in the south
were selected with special regard for the
for prompt movement by rail and water.
The camp at Fernandina was organised on
the recommendation Of the major-general
commanding the the army. The camp at
Jacksonville was selected on the recon-
mendation Of Major General Lee, COM
manding the seventh army corps. A per-
manent camp was never contemplated at
Tampa. Troops were sent there prepara-
tory to embarkatiOn and were kept there |
to be ready for any emergency and later
to embark for Porto Rico.
Action at Porto Rico
FMth-when was the Porto Rico cam
paign determined upon?
Answer-The Porto Rico campaign had
been long under consideration and the or
ders to carry It out were issued June "a.
1893.
(see copy Of letter herewith marked J to |
Major General Miles)
Troops on Transports
sixth-Why were the troops held on the |
transports after embarkation at Tampa |
and not permitted to sail for several days?I
Answer-Troops were held on the trans |
ports after embarkation at Tampa on ac- |
count Of advices received from Commodore |
Remey that Spanish cruiser second class |
and Spanish torpedo destroyer seen by |
Eagle in Nichalos channel, Cuba; destroy |
convoy"
(See copies kilograms from navy Depart
ment herewith. marked X. L. ny
Orders to Shafter
WASHINGTON. May 30, 1898. (sent in |
cipher May 81, 1885, 2:30 a. m.) Major Gen. |
eral William F. shafter. Tampa. Fia.-l
With the approval of the secretary of war |
you are directed to take your command on |
proceed under convoy Of the |
navy to the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, |
land your forces at such place east or west |
OF that point as your Judgment may die
tate. under the protection Of the navy, and |
move It on the high ground and bluf.s over |
looking the harbor. or into the interior az |
shall best enable you to capture or destroy
the garrison there and cover the navy AZ |
II sends its men in small boats to remove |
the torpedoes or with the navy capture or |
destroy the Spanish fleet reported to be in |
Santiago harbor You will use the utmost
energy to accomplish this enterprise ana |
the government relies on your good 1udg-
ment az to the judicious use of your COM |
mand. but desires to impress upon YOU the |
Importance Of accomplishing this object
with the least possible delay. You can cali
to your assistance any Of the insurrent
forces In that vicinity and make use Of
Duch Of them - you think advisable to a.