Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-12-29
GEN. cORBTN,s TESTIMONY.
what the AdjunARt General Had to Say
About tho Conduct Of the
ARMY.

Washington, Dec. 23.-Adjt Gen.
Corbin was the first witness before the
war investigating commission yes
terday and was questioned regarding
the selection of Camp Alger, Va. He
testified that the removal OF Camp AL
ger was dictated by the secretary of
war himself and that it's original es-
Establishment was recommended by
Capt Seaburn, of Gen. Miles staff.
He, Gen. Corbin, had said at the time
1t could not be good camp ground,
because there was not sufficient range
for rife practice. He had understood
from the secretary Of war that Gen.
Miles had something to do with its
selection.
did Gen. Miles protest against or
do anything against the selection of
the camp" he was asked. mot to
my knowledge" was the answer
Gen. Corbin added that he did not
know the reason for discon tinuance
Of the camp Questioned as to Camp
Wikoff, Gen. Corbin said that the
troops and horses that arrived there
about August were those left behind
in the south from the expeditions to
Santiago and Porto Rico and that the
transportation of these had not,
as he knew, led to railroad
congestion or interfered in any
way with the carriage of sup.
plies for the troops subsequently
arriving.
Gen. Corbin said when Gen. Skaters
expedition started it took all the trans
ports it was possible to obtain. The
supply was not equal to the demand.
1t had been planned to carry about
$4,000 troops at that time, instead of
the II, 900 taken. He referred to the
letter of Gen. Miles, dated June "a,
laying out the plan of campaign of
the war and said it was not approved.
Gen. Corbin said there had been a
shortage of uniforms, canvas and tent
age. The factories had not made the
advance preparations that had been
expected. There had never been any
trouble concerning provisions, He
said the matter of medical supplies
and medical officers was left to the SUR
geon general and that the president in
every case would not listen to appoint
ing medical officer until recommend
ed by the surgeon general on the
ground of fitness. He had no sugges-
tions to make based on the experience
of this war, but should be afraid to
see another war for fear it would not
result so we'll, or with so little loss Of
life.
Adverting TO Gen. Miles complaint
that paymasters were not sent to
Porto Rico, as requested by him, Gen.
Corbin said they were ordered imme.
diately, but they went by way of Sam
tiago, where one fell i'll with yellow
fever. The health authorities quaran-
tined the vessel carrying them, and
Gen. Miles, he said, had thought it
best for the paymasters not to come
ashore at Ponce, to avoid possible in
lection. More troops, said the witt
ness, were sent to Porto Rico than
were desired by Gen. Miles, but only a
few more. it
Gen. Corbin was asked how it hap
pened, If there was anything wrong
at Chickamauga or Camp Alger, that
the inspector generals did not report
1t. He replied that he did not see any
of the inspectors reports from Chicka-
manga,
"How do you account" asked Gen.
Dodge, 'for all these complaints
against the various departments"
ITO want of realization of the severi-
ties of war;" was the reply.
TNyCnDAcT an rUH AnNRU