Cañon City record., 1898-10-13
TO the Questions Asked by the War
Investigation Commission.
IN REGARD TO THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN
An Explanation Of the Plan Of Campaign and the Reasons
Which Governed It-Why Tampa Was Selected
As the Base Of Operations.

washington. Oct 11.--secretsry Aisers
reply 10 the questions submitted BY IN"
commission by the president to inscsu-
gate the conduct Of the war oephr tmsn'
In the war with Spain was ni,nc pubic
to-day. The secretary OF war repnea :"
the several questions AS foiiows'
Generai Plan.
Flrrt-Plau of campaign decided upon
Immediately after the declaration OF war.
Was n decided 10 move on Hasnnh ot
that the campaign be postponed unui
the auturrng -
navy or the Important, ports of Cuba as
directed by the presidents proclamation
The holding OF troops at points nestrns
10 Cuba to be available In any emersen.s
which might arise. and cspcc;aiiy 10 pe
ready for prompt assistance in case tne
operations OF the navy should make the
use OF land forces necessary >nr desiraoie
Early in May a plan WAS partially ma
turcd to land a force at MarieL point
about twenty-six miles west OF havana
reports having been received tnht IN -
Immediate vicinity were hish srounar'
we'll wntered and suitable for camps. pre-
onratory for n movement upon Havana
later. II Il was decmed adsiSApses tns
thought being that possibly an assani
rnirht be raadc upon the forces neteno-
ing that city before the rainy season set
in. orderr were irsued TO move on MAY
10 but subsequently plans were chhnxeo
on account OF further Information WA.
there would be great danger TO shr neaitn
of INC troops In that vicinity; and also,
on account OF the uncertainty ot tnc
movements OF the encnys neef- was
ther, determined TO keep the forces IN tne
United States At points a. near S.us =
possible. for immediate empar ~An nsot' u
should an emergency demand y tne
ssntiaro campaign proved TO be the ernsr-
gsncy-
eriieved after conruitstion With medical
authorities. that trocps ernptnS IN .e".h-
~vn states during the s4nmer ~onia pe
come somewhat srciima4d for their ST.
sfces In Cuba
gecopf--whcn vAs th< eAnuseo cam
pAiRn d<tessnfpsdf
Ansver-Tbe santiasq3 campaign ..s
made peceesary BY the res<see Of 10
mlr.i ceryerA's sect In sntiAec hareor.
bus had previously b>en ncntempiated -
on. potns on sbs ceast eh<re recos-
noir.anre in rar1e was ~ he nsads 20 as
certain the strenssh " The epeny N ne
diferens Iooations In Eastern una. Iee
vera.s Meet WAS nsos~<pry: and TO enable
the navy TO accompllr$ this. the military
for~r under Major uynerai shAftsr ~as
directed 10 move at yecc on the city and
province of sanua&t. This movement
was ha-sened by reason Of telegram
received from Admiral Sampson ON June
!. stating that he hac bombarted forts
at Santiago on june q and si,rnceh the
works OF tho city and u 1000 men ~ere
there city and fleet could be captured
Within forty-eixhs hours.
sscc copies of tciexrams her9with at
taoh.d marked A. II. G, II. +. v. a, Ho
IL u proper TO state that after the cate
Of this message the spanish garrison Was
largely reinforced. The npinton o. Ad.
m,rai Sampson was doubtless correct 81
,I,e tirp. The troops sailed from Tampa
ON June II. iSs With is.ss omcerr and
men,
rsrsps q. sh~ uas-.
Thirss--why was Tsmpa reicctcd a. the
bsr~ OF opsrsfioner
Aurwer--on account Of tho shipping fs-
riiities at that point and its comparative
short distance from Cuba. rendering any
rpovemrnf OF tho troops possible on abort
notice m the proxrcrs OF the blockade
or amy other sudden condition might re-.
quirs.
Fonffh--why w-r- summer cnmpr or
sanizea at Fcrnsndina. JaekSouvilis and
Tampa.
An~wor--Aii OF tho army camps IN the
south were selected with special regard
for the health OF the troops and their con-
vcnience Tor prompt movement by rail
and water The camp at Fernandina war
organized on the recommendation NJ Ma
jor General Lee. commanding the Seventh
army corps a permanent camp was
never contemplated at rsmra. Troops
wero sent thcro preparatory 10 cmbarka-
lion and were kept there 10 be ready for
amy emergency. and later TO embark for
Porto Rico.
F'ifth.-whrn was tie Porto Rico cam
paipn determined upoDf
Answer-rbo Porto Rico campaign had
been long under consideration and orders
90 carry II out wcr. issued June "A. 1884
tssc- copy Of letter herewith marked ''J''
90 Major General MiicsD
Delay OF Transports.
sixth--Why were IN. troops held In
Transports after cmbarkAtion at Tampa
and not permitted TO sail for several
oatrT
AnHwer.-rroops were held on transports
after smbarkation at Tampa on account
OF adsices received from Commodore Re
mcy fhnt Spanish cruiser. second class
and Spanish torpedo destroyer seen BY
Eagle. Nicholas. Cuba. destroy convoy.
ssee eapien OF kilograms from the navy
department herewith. marked X. l., ND
THE TELEGRAMs.