Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-03

before the war investigators, and Is
PeciaIly to the Leader OF the Rough
Riders - Peace Negotiations Are safe
EnOugh-Comment on The Situation and
on Questions Coming TO the Front.
Washington, Dec. 3.-Captain James
Mckay, a civilian and an old sea cap
tain in Florida and Cuban waters, VINO
under General Humphrey had charge of
the details of the transportation OF the
troops to Santiago proved one of the
most interesting witnesses heard be-
fore the war investigation committee.
He was heard yesterday and was the
more interesting because he raised =
Greet issue of veracity with Colonel
Roosevelt. He said that complete ra-
tions had been put on each ship and
that the vessels had not been over
loaded. This was contrary to previous
testimony. as was also a later stat
ment that the vessel which each COM
mand was to occupy had been desig-
mated before embark.ng. HeemphasizeI
this fact. saying that the designation
had been made by General Shafter. and
that the colonel Of each OF the regi-
ments was evidently informed in each
case. He said there was no confusion
when the troops went aboard.
No Disorder and Confusion.
II say emphatically there was no dis
order and no confusion" he said. and
that in all cases the regiments found
their quarters without trouble or de-
lay"
How about the Rough Riders. the
Roosevelt regiment" asked Governor
Beaver.
They were assigned to the Yucatan.
and there was no difficulty in their en-
barkation."
1T has been reported to us" con-
tinued Governor Beaver. that they
seized the vessel Was that true?"
NO: IT was not true" the witness re-
piled. THE YuCatan was placed in the
canal and the Rough Riders walked
in and took their places on the vessel
according to directions. They did not
seize the vessel because there was no
necessity that they should do So
Says the Stores Were Properly Loaded.
Captain Mckay also said there had |
been no confusion unloading the stores |
He testified that they had been loaded |
I'm and orderly manner. There was a |
list showing what articles were in each |
vessel. and there had been no mixing of |
the various kinds of stores. 1t was true |
as had been charged. that some Of the |
stores had never been unlOaded. but |
this was due in the main TO the fact |
that the stores were not needed. The !
tents were not unlOaded Tor lack OF
storage room on shore and because they |
could not be gotten 10 the front.
Captain Criticises Admiral sampson.
Captain Mckay took exception to a /
reference in Admiral SIMPSONS report |
to what he called the wandering pro-
clivities OF the transports" AS mat
ter OF fact" said Mckay. If the trans
ports developed any wandering proclivi- |
ties this fact was due to the navy" He
then related that a naval vessel had |
made the rounds the first night after
arrival To allow the officer in command |
to notify the transports that a change
had been made i'm the directions for |
landing The course EIVen-uO time was
carry them six points
off the coast. This order led the trans
port officers generally to conclude that
they were to sail To Porto Rico, and =
matter Of fact the Knickerbockar did
sail thirty-fve miles and get lost for
twelve hours on account of the order.
only coming back when she found that
none Of the feet was with her.