The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-10
GENERAL OFFICERS ROUND
ROBIN

After Col: Roosevelt had taken the
initiative, all che American general off
sers united in a round robin addressed
30 Gen. Shaf,er. Il reads :
"We, the undersigned officers, COM
uaudiug the various brigades, divisions,
etc., of the; army Of occupation 10
Caba, are of the unanimous opiuiou
tbas this army should be at once taken
ou: Of rthe islsnd of Cuba and sent to
some point on the northern seacoass Of
the United States that it can be done
without danger to the people Of the
United States; that yellow fever in the
army 3, present is not epidemis (; that
:here are only !e1 sporadic cases, bet
.ha:ahe army is disabled By malarial
feye, to s6e extent that It's efficiency is
destroyed aud that it is in condition
10 be practically destroyed by 40 epi-
denic of yellow fever, which is sure so
oomesin the near future.
I'VE know from the reports Of CON.
ps;eos ofh,ers and from personal OBJ
se:va.ioos .ha, the army is uoable to
move ioso the iB'erior aad that there
are 20 facilities for sach move i!
attempted. aui toa' is could o,t be
attempted till too late. Moreover,
he oest medical authorities of the isl
iead say that With our present equip
meps we could not liee 10 .ae ioserlor
6rrias sas raiov season without loss
from malarial fever. which is almost at
deadly as yello. fever.
"Tbis army must be moved at once
o. perish. As the army Gao be safely
moved now, the person. responsible for
preventing such move vii! be respon'
s;ble for the unnecessary loes OF many
thousand of lives
..Oar opinions are the resu!s of care
;ul personal observation. aud they are
ESQ based on the uoauimous opinioo O
our medical officers With the army. who
understand the situation absolutely "
Mai. n. NJ Wood. the chief sur
eeon cf the First division, said The
srmy must be moved north,' aud addee
xi,h emphasis, "or it will be uoable L
move itself"
Gen Ames has scot the following
cable message to Washington
/. The Hon. Secretary Of the Navy:
..Tbis army is incapable because o
sickness from marching anywhere, ex'
oeps 10 the transports. If it is eve'
to return to toe Uai,ed States it mus
do so at once
To correspondent Of the Associated
Press Gen Aues said:
"If I had the power I would put tbt
mep on the transports at ouce and sbiE
them north without further orders
an oon6dens such action would ul.i
ma,ely be approved. A full list ct The
sick men would mean copy OF 'ht
roster of every company here"
HAD BEEN FORESEEN.
Washington. Auguss + Upon be
ing informed of the formal reques
nade by the commanding generals o
the American army at Santiago to have
their men removed Immediately to the
United States. the var department Of
hcials stated that this reques, has bee,
Anticipated, AID that the war depart
men. has been dl.ecsiog the best part O
its energies to toe return of Gen. Sdaf
:er's force TO the United States. 1t bat
already provided for their reception a,
IDEAL camp at Mootauk Point. r l..
aad orders we're seat forward yesterday
20 begin toe boneward movement by
embarkiug at Saosiago five cavalry reg
;nents of Skaters force, including
Roosevel,'s Rough Riders It was no
deemed possible nor desirable to bring
them all here at one time, aot only ffou
the lack OF transports, but for medica
ressoas, the physicians representing
tia. sudden change 10 climate would