The herald., 1898-09-12
AlGfR WELL PLEASED
WITH MEN CHOSEN To- CONDUCT
INVESTIoATIoN
A FEW MORE EXCUSES MADE
For the Prevalence of Sickness Among
the Volunteer Soldiers at the
Military Camps
Associated Press Special Wire.

ASSOClateQ freSS SpeCidl NAc'
DETROIT, Sept. 1.-Secretary Alger this
afternoon expressed himself as welfpleased
a, the presidents selection Of members OF
the commission to investigate the condition
of the commissary. quartermasier ana mso-
ical departments of the war department
during the war. On the subject Of sickness
among the soldiers. Gen. Alger sald
1.-THE whole trouble has been In the vol
unteer troops no, knowing how 20 care Tor
themselves and careIesseness In warding
off disease. The regular men have not
been troubled as the volunteers have. They
have had yellow fever and fevers from ex-
posure in the trenches before Santiago, but
their general health has been good, and the
proportion of sickness and Deaths from
sickness Is very small.
1.-THE most stringent orders have been Is
sued In regard to keeping the camps clean.
After my tour Of inspection, will go over
the whole situation carefully, and !; is pos
| sibie that a new set Of regulations that will
be better may be issued.
THE day before left Washington" con-
| tirued Gen. Alger. II called Surgeon Gen
eral Sternberg into my Office and tod him
1 wanted 20 build winter hospitals for 5000
| neU. we Will HdNo JUL AOSPltdiS ~ Ao v y
| to raise the COCO to $1,000. They will be To-
Gated at points where they can be reached
by transports, although just where 1t Is
not yet determined. One Of the hospitals.
however, will be at Havana. 1t will be
built Just as soon as our troops are sent
| 10 the island do not know what they have
| in the city in the shape Of hospitals. but
l very much doubt If we would want tc
take any of their infected buildings for
hospitals for our soldiers"
Answers Are Slow
| WASHINGTON, Sept. u.-At the White
House no statement was made tonigh. as
| 20 the status of the commission to inquire
into the military bureaus. although 1t was
understood that mos: of the gentlemen in.
vlted by the president to serve on the COM
mission had been heard from. Some OF
them, however, had written that they had
the matter under consideration, and l: was
thought to be desirable 20 await final con-
clusions by all of those asked TO serve be-
fore making any announcement. II ap-
pears to be accepted among high officials
that Gen. Gordon. Mr.. Lamont and Mr.
Lincoln are no: likely to accept. The ex-
! secretaries of war are very busy men oil
affairs, and It is thought to be hardly prob
able that they can spare the time for the
work on the commission. 1t was reported
that Mr.. Lamont's declirat.on had been
received, bu; this, On inquiry failed Of
coafirmation. The opinion was expressed
by high officials that Gen. Manderson, Col
Sexton and Dr. Keen might serve. Al
stated, however, some Of the gentlemen
have written that they had the matter un'
der adv.sement and there Is considerable
doubt what the result will be.
The war department had comparatively
quiet day, although the adjutant generals
office was open throughout the day. ex
pediting the mastering out and furlough
ing of troops In various sections.
| Gen. Corbn made his usual call on the
president tonight to sum UP the develop.
ments Of the day, but he said there was
nothing of an important character.
No word had come from Manila. There
are no more volunteer troops at Montaul
Point, eleven regiments Of regulars being
the only troops remaining, except those de-
tanned in hospitals. Gen. Corbin says tina
Camp Wikoff has practically completed thu
service for which It was established, bu
that no final conclusion had BEEN reached
yet as to the ordering away Of the remain,
Ing regiments and dispoSng Of the camp.