Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-07

formation that the American troops would
be weicomed not only by the Cubans but
by the spanlards as we'll. He said the con-
servative and property Spaniards
were especially desirous to have the Ameri-
can troops come for the preservation of
order
The health OF his troops had been good
only about 2 per cent being sick. He said
the meat was received in refrigerator cars
and that as a rule, it was good. in a few
instances the outer edges Of the large pieces
of meat were spoiled as was also the hard
tack in one or two cases. A shipment OF
potatoes had been reported to be in bad
condition and a board was appointed which
condemned all the goods. General Lee said
most Of the civilian officers learned their
military duties very promptly, others were
slow to learn, others never learned, but a
majority did.
Lee is Surprised.
A letter was read complaining of the situ-
alton in the Jacksonville camp. This letter
said the camp was filthy the bread moulded
and the doctors generally drunk
'Is that from my commando" General Lee
asked in evident surprise.
When informed that it was, he said that
he was astonished and asked for the name of
the author He said in this connection that
occasional complaints had come to him
which he examined and in every case found
them to be unfounded.
Then said Governor Beaver after some
further questioning:
You consider yourself in good condition
in every way to start in the expedition to
Cuba?"
IL do" replied General Lee. Touch a
button and we are prepared even to go to
Madrid
He expressed the opinion that it was i'm
possible for any foreign troops to do any
great amount of campaigning in Cuba in the
summer months on account of the heat. Not
even the Spanish and Cuban forces had ever
been very active in the summer season.
Some of the regimental surgeons he knew
were not as competent they should be.
! The surgeons of higher rank were all compe
| tent men. He expressed the opinion that the
| site OF the camp at Jacksonville was well
| selected.
Captain Howell asked General Lee if he
| considered he had been sidetracked in the
| campaign. He replied
Desired to Have u whncl< Mt BInnco
don't think so. l have from time to time
seen something in the newspapers that II
was not the intention of the authorities that
4
! operations. |, of course, had no chance tC
| go to Santiago or to Porto Rico as other
| officers in the army overranked me. II
was always the understanding that my corps
was organized for the Havana campaign.
| had some ambition to go there, because
| had not been allowed to stay while l was
there l wanted to go back with some mel
and show our enemies that | could stay.
He continued by saying that the presiden
had told him within the last few days tina
he had always intended to send him t.
Havana and in case there had been an as
sault on the city that he should lead it.
| General Lee dwelt on the Importance o
taking proper care of the sinks as a pre-
| ventive of disease. He said the healthies
| regiment in his camp was the One Hundred
and Sixty-frst Indiana regiment. Most o
his troops were anxious to go to Cuba, bu
some desired to be discharged
He said, in conclusion, that he knew OF NJ
case of distress, starvation or death tina
was due to neglect or inefficiency on tn
part of the officers. He said he had no com
plant to make against the War department
and knew of no one in his command VIII
| bad.
General Greene, who participated in tn
Manila campaign, will be heard tomorrow
and he will be followed by a number o
staff officers who have been ordered to Cuba