The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-22
HITS AT MILES.
Gen. Corbin Tries to Make Him Re-
sponsible For Camp Alger.

Washington, Dec. pa djutant Cen
era1 COrbin was the first witness before
the investigating commission today and
was rigfdly questioned regarding the Sc
lection of Camp Alger. He testified
that the removal of Camp Alger was
dictated by the secretary of war him
self and that its original establishment
was recommended by Captain Seaburn
of General Miles staff. He, Gen. Cor
bin, had said at the time it could not be
a good camp ground because there was
not sufficient range for practice. He
understood from the secretary of war
that Gen. Miles had something to do
with its selection. He was not certain
of Capt Seaburn's exact status, but he
had understood that Capt. Seaburn had
been sent by Gen. Miles to make the in
spection of the camp site. Did Gen.
Miles protest against, or do anything
against the selection of the Campo" he
was aked. mot to my knowledge" was
the answer. Gen. Corbin said he didn't
know the reason for the diScOntinuance
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 cOngeS-
ton, or interfered in any way with the
carriage OF supplies for the troops sub
sequently arriving. He denied that the
contract with the Long Island railroad
gave it exclusive control and said the
only restriction made in that arrange
ment was the desirable one Of prohibit
Ang excursion steamers landing at the
camp. He said one reason for its selec-
ton was the excellent facilities for wa
ter transportation. He said the camp
at Tampa was not ever designed Tor
anything but a point of embarkatiOn
and said the first complaints he had
heard from Camp Thomas, Chickamau-
ga was in the press.
Asked when he first seriously appre-
hended there would be hOstilities. Gen
Corbin said he might say he did not
seriously contemplate war until it was
a fact. for he had hoped to the last mo-
ment that it would be averted. On April
10 the army. for one of its size was well
equipped and thoroughly supplied. He
said prior to the war there had been no
complaints of refrigerated or canned
beef and that they were used by the
armies Of the world and in commerce.
It was no new experiment. seriously
speaking" said Gen. COrbin, Il do not
think the war department cOntempla ted
war until it was declared by congress
and appropriations were available. OF
course the possibilities were thought
of, but there were no general prepara-
tiOnS except so far as the department
was able to meet the possibilities that
confronted it"
nation here suggested to Gen. COrbin
that he observed the latter was cautious
and reticent and explained: 1T IS not
our object to CriticiSe strategy. That IS
not our business. The strategy of the
war may have been right and may have
been wrong. But our object is to de-
ternine whether the war department
acted efficiently"
He said when Gen. Skaters expedi-
ton started it took all the transports
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 1900
taken. He referred to the letter of Gen.
Miles June "a, laying out the campaign
of the war and said it was not APPROX
Cd