The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-23

Washington. Dec. 22.-Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin was the first witness before
/the war investigating commission to-
day and was rigidIy questioned regard
ing the selection of Camp Alger, Va
lie testified that the removal of Camp
Alger was dictated by the secretary of
war himself and that its original estab-
lishrnent was recommended by Captain
Seaburn, OF General Miles staff. He,
General CoI55in. had said at the time,
it could not be a good camp ground,
because there was not sufficient range
for .ine practice. He had understood
from the secretary Of war that General
Miles had something to do with its Sc
lection. de was not certain Of Captain
Seaburn's exact status, but he had un-
deUstood Captain Seaburn had Deen sent
by General Miles to make the inSpec-
uon If the camp site.
did General Miles protest or do any
JhinS against the selection of the
csunp?''
Not to my knowledge" was the an
syoer.
Asked when he first seriously appre-
handed there would be hostilities, Gen
ciaI Cor5jn said he might say he did not
seriously contemplate war until it was
u fact, for he had hoped to the last
moment that it would be averted. On
April 40, the army, for one of its size
was well equipped ana thoroughly sup
piled. BE said prior to the war there
had been no complaints of refrigerated
or canned beef and that they We're used
by the armies Of the world and in COM
merce. Il was no new experiment
Seriously speaking" said General
Corbin, I 40 not think the war depart
ment contemplated war until it was de-
ciared 5y congress and appropriations
were available. OF course the possible
ties were thought OF. but there were nc
general preparations, except so far as
the deDartment Was able to meet the
possibilities that confronted it
Colonel DENLY. who conducted the
examination here, suggested 10 General
Corpin that he observed the latter was
cautious and reucent and explained:
1t is not our object TO criticise STRAIT
egy. That is not our business. The
strategy OF the war may have been
right and may have been wrong. But
our object is 10 determine whether the
war department acted efficiently
General Corbin said when General
Skaters expedition started it took all
the transports it was possible to OBJ
tain. The supply was not equal to the
demand. 1t had been planned to carry
about 25,O0O troops at that time, in
stead of 1900 taken.
MILES PLANS DISAPPROVED.
He referred to the letter of General
Miles, dated June a, laying out the
plan of campaign Of the war, and said
it was not approved.
DO you know anything about Cen
eral Miles dispatch Of June "A, / think
a letter to the secretary OF war, il
which be purposes to have the army
march clean through Cuba and take
81. .000 prisoners and work them ano
treat them kindly" General Corbin was
asked.
Yes, sir was the answer, that let
ter was received and did not receive
the approval Of The secretary OF war.
You say the proposition made by
General Miles TO carry on the cam
paign in the manner which he indicates
in that letter was disapprcved?
ct was not approved replied Cen
eral Corbin.
I would ask you whether the plar
Of campaign against Santiago was rec
commended by General A1iles?"
Il do not think the communications
made in that letter Of May q were ap-
i. proved" was General Corbin's reply.
VI General Corbin said there had been a
Shortage of uniforms. canvass and tent
age The matter of medical supplies
and medical officers was left to the sur
geon general, and the president, in
every case. would not listen to the ap-
pointing of a medical officer until rec
commended by the surgeon general or
the ground OF fitness. He had no Sug-
gestions to make, based on these re-
ports. but VAS afraid to see another
war for fear il would not result so well
or With so little loss of life.
AdverIing to General Niles complaint
that paymasters were not sent to Puer-
to Rico as requested by him. General
Coibin said they were ordered imme-
6iately. but they went by way Of San
riaco, where che fell i'll with yellow
fever The health officers Cuarantined
rhe vessels carrying them. and General
Miles. he said had thought it best for
the paymasters not to come ashore al
Ponce. to avoid possible infection.
More troops. said the witness. were
sent to Puerto Rico than were desired
by General Miles. but only a few.
INSPECTORS REPORTS.
General Corbin was asked how il
happened, if there was anything wrong
at Chickamauga or Camp Alger. the
inspectors general did not report. HC
replied that he did not see any of the
inspectors reports from Chickamauga
We're received as to equipments and
supplies by telegraph from the various
commands.
General Corbin-Yes, sir; and as fas
as they were received by me, a copy
of each was sent the same day to thS
heads of departments concerned. Otter
the secretary himself endorsed then
With the order TO hurry along ths
\ things needed. Very frequently the
secretary would call for the official anC
discuss i.h him the 52,S uay OF at
tending IL the matter want 10 say
that all deficiencies reported were du,
TO the lack of the existence of thost
articles. From those daily reports ",
not only knew what had been received
but also the number of uniforms, wag
ons, ETC., issued. and TO whom, ever.
DAY.
General Corbin then volunteered t,
supply tire commission with any rec
ords in his office. At any time he woulI
be pleased to furnish everything de
sired