The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-12-28
TESTIMONY 0F GORBIN
Differs Materially From That Given
BY General Niles
ABOUT REFRIGERATED BEEF.
Ehe Ad5utant General stated He Did
Rot Relieve the war Department.
<sonteIn,,iAtei HOstiIities TIL
Congress DeoIarea War.

/
Washington. Dec 22-Adiutant Gem
eral corbin was the first witness before
the war Investigating commission, and
was rigidly questioned. regarding the
selection of Camp Alger. Va.
He testified that the removal OF
Camp Alger was dictated by the secre-
tary of war himself. and that its orig
fnal establishment was recommended
by Captain Seaburn of General Miles
stan. General Corbin had said at the
time it could not be a good camp
ground. because there was not sufi-
Client range for rife practice.
He had understood from the secre-
tary of war that General Miles had
something to do with its selection He
was not certain of Captain Seaburn's s
exact status, but he had understood
Captain Seaburn had been sent by Gen
eral Miles to make the inspection of
the camp site
Did General Miles protest against
or do anything against the selection
of the camp?" he was asked.
Not to my Knowledge . was the an
swer. General Corbin added that he
did not know the reasons for discon-
tinuance of the camp. Questioned as
to Camp wikoff, General Corbin said
that the troops and horses that arrived
there about Aug. were those left be-
hind in the south from the expeditions
to Santiago and Porto Rico. and that
the transportation of these. had not. so
far as he knew. led to railroad con-
gestion or fnterfered in any way with
the carriage of supplies for the troops
subsequently arriving.
He denied that the contract with the
Long Island railroad gave it exclusive
control. and said the only restriction
made in that arrangement was the de-
sirable one OF prohibiting excursion
steamers landing at tie camp. He
said one reason for its selection was
the excellent facilities for water trans
portation.
He said the camp at Tampa was
never designed for anything but a
point of embarkation and said the first
complaints he bad heard from Camp
Thomas was in Sne press.
Asked when he first seriously appre
hended there would be hostilities. Cen
eraI Corbin said he might say he did
not seriously contemplate war until it
was a fact, for he had hoped to the
last moment that it would be averted.
On April 10 the army, for one of its
size. was well equipped and thoroughly
supplied. There never was an army,
he said. better equipped. better clothed,
better fed. or with better morals, than
our regular army at that time.
He said prior to the war there had
been no complaints of refrigerated or
canned beef, ard that ley were used
by the armies of the world and in com
merce 1t was no new experiment.
seriously speaking, said General Cor
bin. II do not think the war depart
ment contemplated war until it was de-
clared by congress and appropriations
We're available OF course the posi-
bilities were thought of. but there were
no general preparations. except so far
as the department was able to meet the
possibilities that confronted it,
Plan of Miles, Not Approved.
Colonel DENLY, who conducted the
eraI Corbin that ne observed the latter
was cautious and reticent and explain
ed: 1T is not our object to criticise
strategy That is not our business.
The strategy of the war may have been
anu II may nave DeGA 4ouI
our object is to determine whether
the war department acted efficiently"
He said when General Skaters ex-
petition 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
25, 900 troops at that time, instead of
the 1900 taken. He referred to the
letter of General Miles. dated June "a.
laying out the plan of campaign of
the war. and said it was not approved.
do you know anything about Sen
eral Miles message of June "a, In
which he proposed to have the army
march clear through Cuba, and take
$4,000 prisoners and work, them and
treat them kindly?y Genital Corbin
was asked.
yes. sir" was the answer, that
letter was received andsdid not receive
the approval of the secretary of war
"You say the proposition made by
General Miles to carry on the cam
paign in the manner which he indi-
Gates in that letter was disapproYed? p
.It was not approved" replied Gem
eral corbin.
Uncle sam Protests.
Peking, Dec. 22.-The United States