The age-herald., 1898-11-22
CONDITION OF SICK
 WAS DEPLORABLE No Medicinal Supplies Mere Available
 for the Wounded at Santiago. AID FROM THE RED CROSS
Lack Oi Competent Hospital Stewards
 Vas Plainly Apparent.
TIE WHOLE SYSTEM WAS WRONG
The Surgeons Were Able and Willing, But Were Handicapped by Red Tape on All Sides-Men
 on Milk Diet

New York, November 2.- Major J. E. Ives, chief of the Third or Provisional d. vision of the Fifth army corps, was the first witness before the war Investigating committee today.
 Replying to questions by General Wilson, Major Ives said that while at Chickamau- ga he saw no distress among the soldiers for the lack of medical supplies. He left Tampa on the transport Saltwater with the Second cavalry The transport was well found and fairly comfortable, but there were no suitable accommodations aboard for the horses.
 Were the horses placed above the men?'
 No, sir. The men were on the upper deck and the horses on the lower deck"
 Major Ives told of his experience in att tending the wounded of the Fl Caney fight. Asked as to his previous experience in ac- ton, he said he was in the Indian wars, in the Victoria war in 1SSO the Geronomo in 1885 and 1886 and in the Sioux war of 1s9O
 .In view of those experiences" asked General Wilson, what do you think was the condition of the men in the Cuban campaign as compared with that of the h. d m wars?"
 "I think 1t was as good as could have been expected under the circumstances"
 Was anything left undone that would have alleviated the condition of the men?"
 "There could have been more ambulances. There were only three at the disposal of my division. l do not know if more could have been obtained and l cannot think of anything that could have been done for the men which was left undone."
 What was the condition of the wounded after the battles?'
 '"The condition of some of the sick men was deplorable, and we had no opportunity to establish hospitals fast enough. We ob- tained some medical supplies from the Red Cross society,""
 'If you could get supplies from the Red Cross, why could you not get them from your own department?"
 No Supplies Available
 "At that time there were no supplies for the establishment of an extra division hospital. All the supplies were in Siboney and at that time there was rush of work to establish depots for rations and the depots for issuing other supplies were not yet equipped"
 Had you ample medical help?"
 There was a lack of competent hospital stewards Female nurses were offered to us, but at that time l was opposed to the employment of female nurses I am a con- vert now and I think the women did ad- mirable work whenever they had the op- portunity."
 What deaths occurred between the es- tablishment of your hospital and the re- ceipt of government medical supplies, as the result of the lack of supplies?'
 "None at all. There were only thirty one deaths out 92S cases treated. As far as I could learn, there was an epidemic of only few sporadic cases on the firing line, and therefore did not send any cases to Siboney."
 Major Ives said of the transports used for the soldiers returning to the United States they were we'll equipped in every respect.
 Regarding the Mobile which he heard criticised a horrible cattle ship, he said was thoroughly cleaned and whitewashed before any soldiers were allowed on board and was in perfect sanitary condition.
 Twill you tell us before you go?" asked General Dodge, ''the conclusions you have drawn as to the condition of the army in Cuba. What, if anything, was lacking and the reasons for eomplaint?''
 My personal opinion is that the army was well equipped in every respect, except that at times there were not enough am- balances, and at times there was a lack of medical supplies. I never knew time z tha tie for medicine that he failed to get all that was needed When I wished supplies I mounted my horse and rode after them and when I could not get things which were not at headquarters, I bought them with the permission of my superior"
 Dr. Louis A. stImson
 Dr. Louis A. Stimson, of New York, tes- tified that he had made two visits to Camp Wikoff to investigate the reports of lack of precautions. against an epidemic of ty- phoid fever. He told of unsanitary condi- tions he found in the general hospital.
 The surgeon in charge of the general hos pital told him he recognized the situation. but was unable to obtain the necessary help to carry out his orders.
 "If I want thing done," the surgeon tOiu nave So tdhC O lilsth py tuc ear and make him do it.'
 All the surgeons told pr. Simpson that they suffered from lack of competent male help. Dr. Connor asked pr. Stimson if he did not know that 1t was impossible to ob- tain male help at the hospital; that many men sent from New York City were drunk, and declined to obey orders.
 Dr. Stimson said he had heard some such reports.
 All the surgeons told Dr. Simpson that again to Montauk Point to investigate a report that soldiers were starving there.
 q found many men," the doctor said, ''who told me they had had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours. or course there was enough food in the camp for we'll men, but there were a great many men in camp who were sick and were not cared for. and who were not in hospitals. I know of forty men in one regiment who were put on milk diet, when there was no milk in camp.