The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-21
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 81 1893
MORE LIGHT.

DR. Nicholas Sem. chief Of the cperat-
ing STAFF in the field describes in detail
IN the Medical News of last week the
Porto Rico campaign from the medical
standpoint.
DR.. Sem has given considerable space
10 endeavoring to show how the war
Department thrusts General Miles aside
by assigning him to minor work and sub
stituting for him and the competent stan
that he had selected the troops Of favor
cd sons and political incompetents, who
he says, created the conditions which
produced such disasters in camp.
DR.. Sem thinks the return Of the Porto
Rican army in such perfect condition is
incontrovertible proof Of what he says.
lie says:
Major General Miles, who conducted
the invasion In person, decided to march
upon San Juan from several directions
and after uniting the forces attack the
city Jointly. The experience gained IN
Cuba had taught us an important les
son in conducting the Porto Rican cam
paign General Miles laid his plans wise
" and with special reference 10 gam
and loss of life as possible.
Every movement in this campaign
was made with q due regard for the vel
fare and success Of our troops rather
than q desire for personal gain and ag-
grsndizement, which characterized the
Cuban campaign. as every one knows
He was well aware Of the depressing
effects OF the tropical climate on the IN
seasoned troops and OF the necessity or
Ffftnfnnt
cautions in preventing disease.
His actions were clean-cut admissions
that he was in need of a medical adj
wiser and that they were influenced by
the frequent consultations held with the
chief surgeon.
Colonel Charles K. Greenleaf, chief
surgeon OF the army in the Held, ac-
companied General Miles on his trip
from Guantanamo 10 Porto Rico and has
been with the army ever since.
"He was long enough in Cuba TO gain
a fun insight into the horrors created
nv infectious diseases which so constant
" follow large armies. especially III a
war of invasion.
He was amazed when he saw TO what
extent yellow fever had broken out
curing the few weeks the troops had been
in Cuba.
There was no difficulty in tracing the
disease 10 a total lack Of precaution on
the part OF the General IN command
Colonel Greenleaf had given his adj
vice and directions before the army lett
Tampa. but they were not needed
Owing TO want OF cooperation on the
mart OF General Shafter the medical Of
foers found themselves powerless in pre-
venting and combating the dreaded dis
case
Colonel GreenieaPs prompt and ener-
rctic action on his arrival in Cuba did
much in suppressing tho disease, but IT
was too late 20 guard against general
outbreak.
The many recent graves IN Cuba con-
tanning the remains Of the victims Of this
disease are the best proof OF what viii
happen when the leader Of an army
ignores the health and comfort OF hi:
men.
I'm planning the Porto Rican invasion
General Miles availod himself OF the In
valuable services OF his chief surgeon
The expedition was well equipped WITT
medicines. hospital stores and medica
officers to meet all possible EMERGENCIES
The result has been thet the army has
been so far sincularly exempt nom die.
ease. with tho exception OF typhoid fever
and tie effects Of heat both beyond The
control OF medical officers.
Until we know more Of the actual facts
OF ths Santiago campaign than we now
know we are not prepared to join with
General Skaters critics in holding thai
he was responsible for what our troops
had to undergo there. We have thought
all along that Skaters plea that ih'
climatic conditions made II necessary tina
he should get at the enemy at once
whether with or without supplies, was {
good plea II he had hele his troops sta
tionary while supplies were being lande,
and roads constructed 10 distribute then
amongst the men they would probably
have been so enervated and FRUSTRATED
by fever when he got 70 the spaniard
mat they would have been unequal 70 th'
struggle that confronted them
We have no doubt DIR. Sem is a goot
witness for General Miles. but we accep
his testimony against shafter with con
siderable misgiving. We have observe,
General Miles course throughout the wa
~ith great attention and all the create
attention because his treatment OF Mr.
Davis had prejudicsd US against him. an'
we are compelled TO admit that his con
duct throughout has seemed 10 MS tia
OF = very able and competent soldier.
pr. Sem makes some additional state