Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-08-04
I'LL TREATED SOLDIERS.
The Sick and Wounded Brought by
the Concho and Seneca.
SECRETARY ALaER's STATEMENT

SECRETARY ALGER'S STATEMENT
Civilians Were Allowed to Crowd Out
the Sick Fighters Have
Been Taken to Prevent Repetition
of the Outrage,
Washington, Aug 4.-Colonel Charles
Fl. Heyl of the inspector generals Of
flee, has returned to Washington from
New York. where he went at the di-
rection of Secretary Alger to make all
examination to fix the responsibility
of the official who sent the transport
Concho to New York from Santiago in
an unfit condition for carrying the sick
and wounded. Later in the day the
secretary made a statement concerning
the Concho, as we'll as the Seneca,
which reached New York about two
weeks ago with sick soldiers after suf-
fering many privations, owing, it is al
legged, to the unfit condition of the YES
sci. The secretary says:
At the time they left Santiago the
general desire of convalescents to come
home doubtless overcrowded both
ships. From the commencement of the
Santiago campaign until within a few
days the terrible conditions on that
coast, where our ships had no shelter
and always with a high surf, made the
landing of troops, supplies. ammuni-
ton. artillery and medical stores very
difficult, and there is no doubt much
inconvenience and suffering was
thereby caused that was unavoidable.
The lighters that went with General
Skaters fleet were lost on the way.
Two lows of lighters were subsequently
sent, which were also lost, and it was
impossible to get supplies ashore except
with the boats from the ships and those
supplied by the navy. Later on a
lighter was furnished by the navy,
which was the only one there for many
days.
ON account of the great number of
sick and wounded, which was in excess
of what has been anticipated, there was
no doubt much privation and suffer
ing, especially among the sick at San
tiago. The captains of the Seneca and
Concho did not report to General Shat
ter. nor to Quartermaster Humphrey,
that they needed water. Had they
done so, of course 1t would have been
provided. Then, Also a large number
of civilians rushed aboard to get away,
and they occupied many staterooms
that should have been given over to the
soldiers. No recurrence of such condi-
lions will be possible hereafter. and no
one regrets more than the secretary of
war that anything of the kind should
have happened. The general COM
manding that army. the surgeon gem
eral and the ouartermaster and COM
missary departments have done the
best they could, but unforeseen circum-
stances. named above, prevented the
conveniences being provided that
Secretary Alger, who is determined
shall cccur If II his mower to prevent
1t. sent the following telegram to Cen
eraI Shafter at Santiago:
"Whenever it becomes necessary to
use transports for sick or wounded pur-
nose II should be made the duty of
some experienced and competent medf-
cal officer to see that only such trans
norris as are in good sanitary condition
and are best suited for the purpose are
selected. that the water SUNNY ON
hoard Is annie in quantity and whole
some in quality. that sufficient supplies
Of food. medicines dressings. hospital
stores includinr delicacies where nos
sihle to ohtain them ice etc are
nlaced an hoard. that sufficient num-
her Of experienced medical officers and
nursas accomnanv the sick and wound