The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-09-10
Investigate.
From the New York Independent.


Somebody is to blame for the horrible con-
dition of our soldiers at Santiago and in the
camps selected for their best comfort and
health. There has been neglect in the camps
at Chckamauga Montauk Point and else
where. They have suffered numerically;
they have died unnecessarily, not only at the
front. but here at home, rising to criminal
cruelty. Somebody it to blame; who is it?
On this subject we are glad to publish two
important articles one by Chaplain Van De
Water, the other by Mr.. Pomeroy Burton, of
the editorial staff of the Brooklyn Eagle.
That paper has kept tent and staff of men
at Camp Wikoff for the comfort of the SOL
diers and they know as much as can be known
of the crime and its cause. What these men
say deserves credence and careful attention.
1t has all been in the Department of War.
The President selected his secretary of War;
he chose General Alger at time when no
war was expected, chose him to conduct the
ordinary routine Of the least of the depart
ments. General Alger was Il man who had
had some experience in war, much experience
in business and much ambition in politics.
Under the rule which requires president to
put into his Cabinet men who have been rivals
for the nomination, it was good and salts
factory appointment. Perhaps the rule is not
good. President Mckinley is responsible for
having thus selected General Alger, and for
having kept him in office.
1t is in Secretary Alger's department that
all the trouble lies. The Navy Department
is all right There is no i'll health there. Its
work has not only been satisfactorily done,
but the physical condition of its enlisted men
has been as good as could be expected. All
the blame lies somewhere within the War De-
partment, in the field where Secretary Alger
is responsible On him the President put the
responsibility. x \
If there has been incompetence in the con
duct of the sanitary and medical business of
the army, quite as much has this been true Of
the two other bureaus. Why is it that sick
men have died for lack Of proper food?
What language is strong enough to denounce
the horrors of the Seneca and the Concho Z
What has been the outrageous failure here at
Camp Wikoii, right under our eyes, where
there were not hospitals for the sick nor proper
food, and where, as on the field, the Red
Cross and similar volunteer organizations had
to supply, when allowed, nursing and food?
There must be the most searching investi-
CATION 1t cannot be done satisfactorily by
our daily papers, although they can find out
much. First, the War Department must be-
stir itself, and put the blame where it best can.
1t cannot be Indifferent to its misdeeds Yet
the people will never be satisfied with the best
investigation the War Department can make.
Already all its officers are making excuses,
each denying that he is at fault. Congress
will have to take up the duty. Congress must
make the most searching investigation. OF
course, the army will have to be reorganized-
everybody knows that; but all the blame does
not lie on its organization; most Of it lies on
incompetent, criminally careless or ignorant
men. 4 fearless investigation will put the
blame where it belongs