The herald., 1898-12-23
COMPLAINTS ACCOUNTED FOR
A Want Of Realization of the Severi-
ties of War-All Contracts
Were Honest
AssocIated Press Special Wire

fed that the removal of Camp Alger was
dictated by the Secretary of War himself
and that its original establishment was rec
commended by Captain Seaburn OF General
Miles staff. He, General Corbin, had said
at the time it could not be good camp
ground because there was not sufficient
range for rifle practice. He had understood
from the Secretary of War that General
Miles had something to do with its selection.
Hewas not certain of Captain Seaburn's ex-
act status, but he had understood Captain
Seaburn had been sent by General Miles to
make the inspection of the camp site. "Did
General Miles protest or do anything against
the selection of the camp?"
"Not to my knowledge" was the answer.
General Corbin added that he did not
know the reason for discontinuance of the
camp. Questioned as to Camp Wickotf
General Corbin said that the troops and
horses that arrived there about August Sth
were those left behind in the South from the
expeditions to Santiago and Porto Rico,
and that the transportation of these had
not, as far as he knew, led to railroad con-
gestion or interfered in any way with the
carriage of supplies for the troops subse-
quently arriving. He denied that the con-
tract with the Long Island Railroad gave
it exclusive control and said the only re-
etriction made in that arrangement was the
sensible one of prohibiting excursion steam
ers landing at the camp. He said one reason
for its selection was the excellent facilities
for water transportation. He said the camp
at Tampa was never designed for anything
but point of embarkation and said the
first complaints he had heard from Camp
Thomas, Chickamauga were in the press.
Asked when he first seriously apprehended
there would be hostilites, General Corbin
said he might say he did not seriously con-
template war until it was fact, for he had
hoped to the last moment that it would be
averted. On April 10th the army, for one
of its size, was well equipped and thoroughly
supplied He said prior to the war there
had been no complaints of refrigerated or
canned beef and that they were used by
the armies of the world and in commerce.
1t was no new experiment.
Seriously speaking" said General Cor
bin, 81 do not think the War Department
contemplated war until it was declared by
Congress and appropriations were available.
OF course the possibilities were thought of,
but there were no general preparations ex-
cept go far as the department was able to
meet the possibilities that confronted it."
Colonel DENLY, who conducted the ex-
animation here, suggested to General Cor
bin that he observed the latter was cautious
and reticent and explained sit is not our
object to criticise strategy. That is not
our business. The strategy of the war
may have been right and may have been
wrong, but our object is to determine
whether the War Department acted eff
GENTLY"
He said when General Skaters expedi-
tion started it took all the transports it
was possible to obtain. The supply was not
equal to the demand. 1t had been planned
to carry about 25,OO0 troops at that time,
instead of the 1900 taken. He referred
to the letter Gen.. Miles dated June oath,
laying out the plan OF campaign of the war,
and said it was not approved.
'Do you know anything about General
Miles dispatch of June "a, letter to the
secretary of war, in which he proposed to
have the army march clean through Cuba
and take $4,000 prisoners, and work them
anu tIedb liieli hliiuiy . oeHtldl NOIDlu
was asked.
"Yes, sir" was the answer. "That letter
was received and did not receive the ap-
proval of the secretary of war"
"You say the proposition made by Cen
eral Miles to carry on the campaign in the
manner which he indicates in that letter
was disapproved!"
at was not approved" answered Gen
eral Corbin
II would like to ask you whether the plan
of campaign against Santiago was recon-
mended by General Miles,
Il do not think the recommendations
made in that letter of May 81 were ap-
proved" was the answer.
General Corbn said there had been
shortage of uniforms, canvas and tentage
The factories had not been able to turn
them out. There had not been any trouble
concerning provisions. The matter of medi-
cal supplies was left to the surgeon general
He had no suggestions to make based on
these matters.
Adverting to General Miles complaint
that paymasters were not sent to Porto
Rico, as required by him, General Corbin
said they were ordered immediately, but
they went by way of Santiago, where one
fell i'll with yellow fever. The health off
GERS quarantined the vessel carrying them,
and General Miles, he san, had thought it
best for the paymasters not to come ashore
at Ponce, to avoid possible infection. More
troops, said the witness, wsxe sent to Porto
Rico than were desired by General Miles,
but only few more.
Gen. Corbn was asked how it happened
il there was anything wrong at Chicka-
mauga or Camp Alger, that inspectors-gen-
eral did not report it. He replied that he
did not see any of the inspectors reports
from Chickamauga.
General Dodge asked if daily reports were
received as to equipments and supplies by
telegraph from the various commands.
General Corbin-Yes sir; and as fast as
they were received by me copy of each
was sent the same day to the heads OF de-
partments concerned. Often the secretary
himself endorsed them with the order to
hurry along the things needed. From these
daily reports we not only knew what had
been received, but also the number of uni
forms, wagons, etc, issued, and to whom,
every day.
Colenl Denby-ilow does il happen that
the conditions at Chckamauga were not
reported by the inspector general:
General Corbin--l have not seen any re-
port of inspectors at Chickamauga. They
were sent to the commanding general there |