The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-12-27

Washington, Dec. a. - Adjt. Gen.
Corbin was the first witness before
the war investigating committee and
was rigidly questioned regarding the
selection of Camp Alger, Va. He tes-
titled that the removal of Camp Alger
was directed by the secretary of war
himself, and that it's original eStab-
liShment was recommended by Capt.
Seaburn, OF Gen. Miles staff. He,
Gen. COrbin, had said at the time it
could not be a good camp ground be-
cause there was not sufficient range
for rifle practice. He had understood
from the secretary Of war that Gen.
Miles lad something to do with it's Sc
lection. He was not certain of Capt.
Seaburn's exact status, but he had UNI
derstood Capt. Seaburn had been sent.
by Gen. Miles to make the inspection
of the camp site.
Did Gen. Miles protest against or
do anything against the selection Of
the camp?' he was asked.
mot to my knowledge" was the an
swer.
Gen. Corbin added that he did not
know the reasons for diScOntinuance
of the camp. Asked when he first
Seriously Appreciated
there would be hostilities, Gen. Cor
bin said he might say he did not seri-
ously contemplate war until it was
fact for he had hoped to the last mo-
ment that it would be averted. On
April 10 the army, for one of it's size.
was we'll equipped and thoroughly sup
piled.
Seriously speaking" said Gen. Cor
bin, 81 do not think the war depart
ment contemplated war until it was
declared by congress and appropria-
tons were thought of, but there were
no general appropriations, except SO
far as the department was able to
meet the possibilities that confronted
it,
Col. DENLY, who conducted the ex-
animation, here suggested to Gen.
Corbin that he observed the latter was
cautious and reticent, and explained:
ETt is not our object to criticiSe STRAIT
egy. That is not our business. The
strategy of the war may have been
right and may have been wrong. But
Ou1. object is to determine whether the
war department acted efficiently"
Gen. Corbin said when Gen. Shat
ters expedition started it took all the
transports it was possible to obtain.
The supply was not equal to the de-
mand. 1t had been planned to carry
about $4,000 troops at that time in
stead Of the 1900 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
Miles Turned Down.
s'Do you know anything about Gen.
Miles dispatch of June "a, think
letter to the secretary of war in when
he purposed to have the army march
clean through Cuba and take oO,OO0
prisoners and work them and treat
them kindly"
eyes, sir" was the answer. "Ihat
letter was received and did not receive
the approval of the secretary OF war.
"You say the proposition made by
Gen. Miles to carry on the campaign
in the manner which he indicates IN
that letter was disapprove
ut was not approved" replied Gen.
Corbin.
81 would ask you whether the plan
of campaign against Santiago was
recommended by Gen. MilesY'
81 do not think the recommendation
made IN the leCISI VI May - WCAC az
proved" was Gen. Corbin's reply.
He had no suggestions to make
based on the experience of this war.
but should be afraid to see another
war for fear it would not result so
well. or with so little loss of Life.
Cen. 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. He knew of no contracts
that were Influenced by anything not
entirely honest and fair to the govern
ment. and that there was no instance
of favoritism in making appointments.
'How do you account" asked Gen.
DODGE "for all these complaints
against the various Departmental
ssro a want of realization OF the Sc
verities of war"
The commission then adjourned.