Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-09-03
CONDUCT OF THE WAR
Grnye Question to be Taken lip by Con
greSS For Consideration.

GrnYe Question to be Taken lip by Con
greSS For Consideration.
It is now quite apparent that much
the larger portion of the next session
of Congress will be devoted to the
discussion of questions connected
with the war with Spain. Indeed,
there is prospect amounting almost
to a certainty that the first session of
the next Congress will mainly be
taken up with the same subject. 1t
is such a fruitful topic that it is
bound to be seized upon and worked
for all it is worth by the mere politi-
clans and to command the careful
consideration of wise and honest
craftsmanship.
The determination of the great
questions thrust upon us Will require
heightened time and mature thought,
and not a few members of Congress
express the belief that probably it
may be years before a final conclusion
is arrived at relative to several of the
issues now agitating the public mind.
Undoubtedly the government policy
as to outlying dependencies will be
paramount in debate and for decl-
sion, but it is realized that comment
upon the conduct of the war will be
widespread, protracted, bitter and
exciting.
ACRIMONIOUS DEBATES EXPECTED.
AS foreshadowed recently in these
dispatches, one or more congressional
INQUIRIES on that line are confidently
anticipated, and a vast deal of per
sonal bitterness will be stirred up.
AS such is human nature, the dis
cussions growing out of this will be
more apt to inspire current public in
terests and draw denser crowds than
the deliberations concerning the
more momentous question of whether
we are to abandon the foreign policy
which is coeXistent with the republic
itself.
In the matter of the conduct of the
war, it is not only the alleged mis-
management and criminal negligence
and incompetency of various staff
departments of the army, which will
be held up to search and review, but
the dark shadow of political and per-
sonal influence and political and per-
sonal enmity, which, it is asserted,
exercised control and influence
which can neither be justified nor
defended. Prominent Senators and
Representatives are outspoken in
this respect. AS may be imagined,
however, they are not of those who
are mixed up in the business.
TREATMENT OF SOUTHERN TROOPS.
There is one branch of this divi-
sion of the subject freely talked Of,
and which has been more or less al
luded to in the press. 1t is the treat
ment meted out to Southern officers
and Southern troops. Vague and
unsatisfactory explanations have en-
anated from official quarters in re-
Spouse to remonstrances because no
opportunity for duty in the field was
given to troops of the Southern
States. The condemnation of this is
very severe, and is really more pro.
nounced among Northern than
among Southern men. Definite and
explicit reason for this will be asked
on the floor of Congress. What has
actually occurred brings to my mind
a casual remark dropped by lady
connected with the family of a high
official in the very beginning of hos
tilities, to the effect that no South
ern man should have a chance to dis
tinguish himself.
ONLY WHEELER GIVEN A CHANCE.
Just one Southern man has had
the chance-Geperal Joe Wheeler,
Two more, Generals Butler and Law>
ton, have been put on the commits
sion to settle the terms of the evacu-
alton of Cuba and Porto Rico. The
most intense feeling has been exhibit
ed over the studiouS manner in which
Fitzhugh Lee has been ignored. So
far as he is himself concerned, he has
scrupulously avoided all reference to
it, but this does not close the mouths
of others. 4 noted New England Re
publican describes it as outrageous.
and others proclaim it as contempt
ible jealousy and fear of the hold
which Lee has upon the popular
mind. The whole country expected
Lee to be sent to Cuba, because it
was eminently fit he should go.
There was every reason why he
should nave an important command,
and not one why he should not.
1t is said here by the most compe
tent military critics that Lee in an
incredibly short time had put his
troops at Jacksonville in condition
of efficiency that was marvellous, and
they could not possibly have failed to
compare most favorably with any Of
the volunteers. There is no doubt he
was wildly anxious to go, although
giving no sign to that effect. IN
questionably his knowledge and ex-
perience would have been of meal
culable benefit, and might have
averted some of the disasters which
fell upon our forces.
GENERAL LEE IGNORED.
When the appointment of the COM
mission to arrange the terms Of evac
+ion Iroc Joo6a ayprU ono Init