Evening star., 1898-09-20

10 the tLltOr OF Inc Evening Slar:
In late issue of The Star it is stated
that General Miles has represented to the
President that the cause of the sickness of
the American troops in Porto Rico is owing
to the delay of the commissioners. Does
the administration realize that while these
men are dillydallying our boys are dying?
Mr.. Potter of the national relief commits
sion, who has recently returned from Porto
Rico. has reported to the President the
condition of the soldiers there and recon-
mends that barracks be built, instead of the
soldiers being allowed to lie in the open.
And what does the open" mean at this
season of the year in Porto Rico? 1t SIM
ply means mud. The rain has been falling
in torrents, never see il rain here,
and soldier boys have been actually
sleeping in the mud. The suggestion was
made weeks ago by some one through The
Star when our troops were first sent to
Porto Rico that barracks should be erected,
but no attention was given to it. The War
Department knew that they would be there
during the entire rainy season. IIe poor
boys have been dreuched constantly, their
tents flooded and everything belonging to
them soaked with water. Is there any
excuse whatever now for the way they are
being treated? The war is ended. large
number of regiments have been ordered to
their state camps for discharge. 1t was
to be expected that the IL ,00J. or there
abouts. remaining in Porto Rico would be
properly cared for, but what do we hear
in their letters written within the past
three weeks? One boy writes: The treat
ment we are receiving is simply terrible.
The mules are treated better than the
men, Another: I'VE have men with us
who served in the civil war who say they
never experienced such treatment as they
are doing now. Regulars and volunteers
are, every man of them, dissatisfied with
the treatment they are receiving" An
other: An we have to eat is hardtack,
corned beef and black coffee" Another:
I'VE have 12b0 men with hospital accom-
modatons for twenty. This is at Ponce.
When a new sick man comes in the one
who is the least sick is hustled out to lie
on the wet ground in his tent
Did we call this a war for humanity?
Few of our boys fell by Spanish bullets,
but. oh, the army of dead. and invalids
many of them for life. caused by neglect
and starvation. which was mostly unneces-
sary. Some of US have helped to feed the
many thousands of our soldiers as they
have passed through city from Tampa
Santiago, Chckamauga and the many
camps over the country. We heard but one
sentiment from them all, that they had
been abused. Many of them We're very
careful to express themselves for fear of
being courtmartialed by their officers.
This neglect and mismanagement, which is
confirmed by General Miles, is still continu-
ing in Porto Rico.
In the name of humanity. why cannot
our boys tnere nave Snelter ana the regular
army rations? 1t is all they ask. Pota-
toes, rice and beans belong to the army ra-
tons. They are cheap and good when
properly cooked. Why are they not fur
nisned them? Let us try hardtack and
corned beef-often spoiled-and black cof-
fee as a steady diet three times day week
after week. How would We like it? And
especially in that climate
The War Department congratulates our
District boys for not being among the
grumb}erS. Thanks to The Star and its
able committee that they have been
brought to their homes, where those who
are near and dear to them do not consider
1t grumbling when they tell of what they
suffered, unnecessarily, through somebody's
mismanagement. While the climatic con-
ditlons have had much to do with the sick
ness among our troops, poor food and neg
lect have done more to weaken the men
and prepared them for falling a prey TO dis
ease. Il am so hungry" has been the cn!ef
complaint among our soldiers from begin
ming to end. Is it any wonder tnat they
are depressed and downhearted, as they all