The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-26
THOROUGH WAR INQUIRY.
REMARKS or THE PREsIDENT TO THE
IRMY NYFSTTGATORG


"I Limit to the Scope of four InvestI-
Eation," He snid-If There Have Been
w~ronEdOinga, He Declared That Punish
ment Must Follow for the Guilty Ones.
WARRINGTON. Sept. 25.-Presldent McKin-
ley's instructions to the commission appointed
TO investigate the administration Of the Com
missary. Medical and Quartermaster's depart
ments OF the army In the war with Spain were
Of the most comprehensive character. In the
two hours conference he had with the Com
missioners tho President impressed on them
the necessity Of a thorough inquiry. He espo-
cially directed them to fix the responsibility for
any neglect Of duty or Encouragement.
Tho most interesting thing In the Presidents
statement TO the Commissioners was that he
wanted an investigation madeof all departments
connected with the army. II was originally In
tended to have the inquiry cover only the Med
lcal. Commissary and Quartermastor's depart
ments. and the President in his circular tele-
gram to the men invited to serve on the COM
mission limited the scope OF tho investigation
to those branches Of the military administra-
ton. Now, however. the inquiry is TO be gem
eral. and will include with tho departments
mentioned the office OF the Adjutant-G General.
which was intrusted with tho transmission OF
orders for the movement OF troops.
1t has been asserted that orders for the move
ment Of troops were changed without notincs-
ton to the Quartermaster's and Commissary's
departments by the Adjutant-G General. and that
many Of the complaints charged TO the Quar-
termaster- General and the Gem
eral were actually chargeable to the officers OF
the Adjutant-G Generals office. on account Of
their failure to give timely notification Of
changes in orders for the movement Of large
bodies Of men.
In order that the public might understand
how broad a scope he desired the inquiry to
take. President Mckinley tonight directed
that part OF his remarks to the Commission Of
Investigation at the White House yesterday
should be given to the press. The statement
furnished does not include all that the Presi-
dent had to say, and 1t was so explained to
newspaper men. This is the statement:
I'm addressing the commission appointed to
examine into the conduct OF the war by the
| War Department, tho President said among
| other things: 'Gentlemen-Before suggesting
the matters which shall come before you for
investigation. l desire to express my apprecla-
ton to each OF you for your Willingness to ac-
! cept the patriotic service to which you have
been invited. You are to perform one OF the
highest public duties that can fall to a citizen.
and your unselhshness in undertaking it makes
me profoundly grateful.
There has been in many quarters severe
CTltlClBU Ol Jne COnuuCJ U INC war WlIu Dpdlu.
Charges OF criminal neglect OF the soldiers in
camp and field and hospital and in transports
have been 30 persistent that. whether true or
false. they have made a deep impression upon
! the country. 1t is my earnest desire that you
shall thoroughly investigate these charges
and make the fullest examination OF the
administration Of the War Department in
all OF its branches. with the view to
! establishing the truth or falsity OF these accu-
sations. I put upon you no limit to the scope
Of your investigation. or all departments con-
nected with the army 1 invite the closest scru-
tiny and examination and shall afford every
facility for the most searching inquiry. The
records OF the War Department and the assist
ance OF its officers shall be subject to your call.
81 cannot impress upon you too strongly
my wish that your Investigation shall be so
thorough and complete that your report. when
made. will fix the responsibility for any failure
| or fault by reason OF neglect, incompetency or
Observation-Disclosures upon the officers and bu-
reaus responsible therefor-if 1t be found that
the evils complained of have existed.
1.-The people OF the country are entitled to
known whether or not the citizens who so
promptly responded to the call of duty have
been neglected or misused or maltreated by
the Government to which they so willingly
gave their services. II there have been wrongs
committed. the wrongdoers must not escape
conviction and punishment"