The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-27

Aajnsans General CorAin Before the
war investigates Couamissaon-The
War Department Surprised BY Hos.
silisses-Miles, Plan Of Invasion -
Cuba
Washington, December 22.-Adju-
tant General Corbin was the frze wit
ness before the wal Investigating COM
mission today and was rigsily question
ed regarding the selection of Camp Al
ger. Virginia. He testified hat the ,e-
moval of Camp Alger was dictated by
the secretary of war himself and that
its original establishment was recon-
mended by Captain Seaburn. Of Gen
eral Miles staff. He, General Corbin,
had said at the time il could not be a
good camp ground because there was no
sufficient range for rife practice. He
had understood from the secretary of
war that General Miles had something
to do with the selection.
did General Miles protest against, or
do anything against the selection OF
the camp? He was asked.
Not to my knowledge" was the
answer.
General Corbin added that he did not
know the reasons for discontinuance
of the camp.
Asked when he first seriously appre-
hended there would be hostilities, Cen
eral Corbin said that he might say he
did not seriously contemplate war un-
til 1t was a fact, for he had hoped 70
the last moment that it would be avert
ed. On April 10th the army, for one
of its size, was we'll equipped and thor
oughly supplied. There never was an
army, he said, better equipped. better
clothed, better fed, II with a better
moral than our army at that time. He
said before the war there had been no
complaints of refrigerated beef and that
it was used by the armies of the
world and in commerce. 1t was no new
experiment.
Seriously speaking" said General
COrbin, 1 do not think the wal depart
ment contemplated war until it was
declared by congress and %appropria-
tons were available. OF course the
possibilities we're thought of, but there
was no general preparation except, so
far as the department was able, to
meet the possibilities that confronted
it."
do you know anything about Gen
eral Miles dispatch Of June oath, L
think a letter to the secretary of war,
in which he proposed to have the army
march clean through Cuba and tax
so, 900 prisoners and work them and.
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"
Il would ask you whether the plan
Of campaign against Santiago as adopt
ed was recommended by General
Miles,"
mo sir, 1 do not think the recon-
mendations made in that letter ofcMay
9th were approved" was General Cor
bins reply.
General Corbin said the matter of
medical supplies and medical officers
was left to the surgeon general and that
the president, in every case, would not
listen to appointing a medical officer
until recommended by the surgeon gen.
eral on the ground of fitness
General Corhin was asked how ii
happened il there was anything wrong
at Chickamauga and Camp Alger tnat
the inspector general did not report it
He replied that he did not see any Of
the inspectors reports from Chicka.
manga. He said he knew OF no con.
tracts during the var that were in.
fiuenced by anything that was not en-
tirely honest and fair to the govern
ment, and that there was no instanc,
of favoritism in making appointments
How do 0 account asked Gen
eral Dodge, 'for all these complaint
against the various departments"
/ a want of realization of the Sc
v~erities of war;"
/ The commission then adjourned anti
tomorrow.