Evening star., 1898-12-12
General Greedy Witness Before the
War Commission.
EFFECTIVE WORK BY HIS FORCE
Was Not Hindered by His Supe-
riors.
S o NJ Z G. RITZ ICIS Nj s

The war investigation commission sat for
nearly two hours this morning in the
Lemon building. waiting for witnesses to
appear. Finally, near noon, Gen. A. w
Greedy, chief signal officer of the army, ap-
peared and was sworn. He was first ex-
amned by Gen. Beaver. Gen. Greely de-
Scribed the work of his office in establish
ing means OF communication by telegraph
and telephone wires for the war authori
ties. and in establishing and maintaining
sigral posts during hostilities with Spain.
ITO what extent were you able to
meet promptly camps with their corps
division headquarters?'
ITO such an extent and so well that there
never was any complaint" said the wit
ness.
Gen. Greedy stated that at home and in
the field all points with which the COM
manding general desired instantaneous and
secret communication were at once con-
nected with headquarters.
so that in battle you were able to be
in the rear of the firing line and to estab-
lish means of communication
Sometimes we We're in the rear, but in
Porto Rico. for instance, the corps was in
advance.
Work Mt Santiago.
'''ro what extent were you able at Santia-
go to establish communication between the
commanding general and the firing line at
San Juan hill, for .nstance?"
As fast as We received orders from Cen
erai Shafter to move forward.
Referring to the speed With which the
volunteer Signal Corps was organized and
perfected for feld service General Greedy
stated that within thirty days after the
volunteers left civil life they landed july
.. in Cuba. He explained the methods of
signaling, on the battlefield by flags and
heiiograph.
There has never been a demand that
was not promptly and fully met There
never has been a complaint, either official
or unofficial. so far as L am aware con-
GUIDED the witness.
Gen. Greedy stated that during the bonn
bardment of Santiago and the Notifications
around the city his corps kept the ships
that were firing the shots informed as to
the exact location of every missile as it fell
Gen. Greely stated that he anticipated
the demand for supplies from his corps by
sending large quantities of all necessary
articles to all the depols. He did not wait
for acquisitions before sending They were
at the depot when needed and could he
obtained at once without delay. He de-
scribed mis- control and repair of the cable
lines between the United States and Cuba
He said he was well supplied with cables
for repairing or replacing broken lines and
with the mechanical appliances for making
connections. The expedition to Porto Rico
was equally well supplied, and everything
was available Immediately upon landing.
Not Hindered by Any One.
Were you hindered or obstructed in any
way by your superiors in the War Depart
ment?" asked Gen. Beaver.
Not hndered," said the witness. you
must understand that when a great war
breaks out and there is a scarcity of men
and material It is necessary to convince the
authorities Of tho gcnufneness of the needs
of any deI artment. At one time there was
some delay. but eventually got everything
that Was wanted. No. was not hindered
by any one"
Gen. Beaver-"So that when the emer-
sency came you were up to it or able to
meet il ?''
Gen. Greely-.'Yes sir
Gen. Greedy was asked to make a state
ment with regard to improvements that
could be mad, or which his experience
would seem to show should be made in the
conduct of war He replied with a ctati
of tn way the army had been fed.
Feeding and Clothing the Army.
The problem of feeding. clothing and
paying the army SENS to me to he a sim
PIE one. In fact, it is purely a business
proposition. Three business men should
he able to get together and in d very brief
time devise Il system as far in advance of
the one now in as it is ahead of $50
years ago"
He called attention to the fact that no
member OF his corps had Succumbcd to dis
ease. and that two men had their horses
shot from under them.
Gen. Beaver-"Were there any doctors at
t&ched 10 your corps
Gen. Greely-'No. sir
4 hearty ana spontaneous burst of laugh
ter from the commission followed the reply.
Gen. Reaver-"No? l am sorry DIR. Con
ner Is not here to hear YOU
Gen. Greely was asked how the govern
ment had learned that Ceryera was at San
tiagO.
Witness-'I was informed by Col Allen.
who obtained il at Havana. Agents of my
department We're in Havana, and. in fact
all through the island. They kept us in
formed by their own means of communica-
tion. / don't care to put more on record
in this particular"
This ended the examination and recess
concluded the session