New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-04
NO ONE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
SECRETARY ALGER SAYS THAT UNFORE-
SEEN CIRCUMSTANCES UPSET AR
RANGENENTS AS TO THE COECUO

SEEN CIRCUMSTANCES UPSET AR
RANGEMENTs AS TO THE CONCHO
Washington. Aug. 3-Colonel Charles H. Heyl
OF the inspector Generals office, has returned
10 Washington from New-York, where he went
at the direction of Secretary Alger to make an
examination to fix the responsibility Of the
oihclal who sent the transport Concho to New
York from Santiago in an unfit condition for
carrying the sick and wounded Colonel Hey
reported verbally to Secretary Alger the result
of his inquiries. but refused to talk for publ
cation
Later In the day. however the Secretary made
the following statement concerning the Concho
as well as the Seneca. which reached New-York
about two weeks ago the sick and wounded on
board having suffered many privatiOn owing
II Is alleged to the unfit condition of the vessels
Concerning the unfortunate occurrence on the
ships C0ncho and Seneca. that brought home
sick and wounded from Santiago. the Secretary
OF War gives out the following statement. after
careful Investigations
AT the time they left Santiago the general de-
sire Of cOnvalescents 10 come home doubtle -
overcrowded both ships From the beginning
or the Santiago campaign until within few
days the terrible conditions Of that coast where
our ships had no shelter and always with Il
high surf. made the landing Of troops. supplies
ammunition. artillery and medical stores diff
hcult. and there is no doubt much inconVen-
ience and suffering thereby caused that
We're unavoidabIe The lighters that went with
General Skaters fleet were lost on the way.
TWO tOWS OF lighters were subsequently sent,
which were also lost, and 1t was impossible to
ct supplies ashore except with the boats froI
the ships and those supplied by the Navy. Later
on q lighte~ was furnished by the Navy hic'
the only there for many days. on ac-
count Of the great number Of sick and wourded
which was in excess of what had been anjiCl-
pated there was no doubt. much privatiOn ana
suffering. especially among the sick. at Sar-
tiago.
DID NOT REPORT TO SHAFTER.
The captains Of the Seneca and the Concho
did not report to General Shafter nor to Quar-
termaster Humphrey that they needed water
Had they done So Of course 1t would have been
provided Then also a large number OF civil
fans rushed aboard to get away. and they
cuped many staterooms that should have been
given over to the soldiers No recurrence Of
such conditions will be possible hereafter. and
one regrets more than the Secretary Of War
that anything of the kind should have hap
pcned. The General commanding that army
the Surgeon General and the Quartermaster's
md Commissay departments have done the
best they could. hut unforeseen circumstances
named ibo"c. prevented the conveniences he
ing provided that otherwise would have been
furnished.
Secretary Alger who is determined that no
further trouble oi the kind shall occur II in
his power to prevent 1t. sent the following teie-
gram to General Shaftc7 at Santiago:
Whenever it becomes necessary to u.s. trans
ports for sick wounded. II should be
made the duty OF some experienced and com
peteHt medical officer - see that only such
transports are in good sar !tary condition
and best suited for the purpose are Sc
lected that the water supply on board is am
pie in quantity and wholesome In quality that
sufficient supplies Of food. medicines. dressings.
hospital stores. including delicac!es where pos
sible TO obtain them. ice. etc, are placed on
board; that sufficient number OF experienced
medical officers and nurses accompany tn" sex
and wounded on the voyage: that there Is no
overcrowdng Of the vessel. but that there are
suitable accommodations for all; that tn de-
parture Of these ships be telegraphed TO the
Adjutant- General and Surgeon Generals.
A similar disoatcl was sent to the command
ing generals of the forces in Porto Rico and the