Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-09-24
AIGER AT SOUTHERN CAMPS.
Ths Secretary Of war Cordially Grsstsd a
Knoxville and Chattanooga-He
Talks OF Camp Abusea

Knoxville, Tenn, sept :A-The sec
Rotary of war, who yesterday inspected
Camp Poland and reviewed the enlisted
men encamped there, made speech TO
the commanding officers ut Gen. Nc
KEGS headquarters during tho morn
ing, In which he fixed tho blame for
the sickness In the different camps
throughout the country on the COM
manding ofiicers Secretary Alger was
given hearty reception by the citi-
Gems Of Knoxville and by the command
ing officers Of the camp on his arrival.
He went from the depot direct to the
camp and shortly afterwards, accom-
panied by his staff aud the officers Of
the camp. all on horseback, the secre-
tary rode over the drill field and In
spected the troops He then reviewed
the grand parade arranged In his
honor and afterward made speech
to the commanding officers, during
which he said:
came here TO visit this camp for the pur-
pose Of acquainting myself with the conditions
and To see for myself Just how the troops are
mendation which they think may benefit tho
camp I want TO hear what the commanders
have to say about division hospitals and regi-
mental hospitals more especially There has
been great deal OF talk about the conditions
Of the camp hospitals want to say that had
the war department been acquainted with the
conditions said 10 have existed ut Chickamauga
the troops there would have been moved
long before they were We received only
good reports ut Washington from the COM
manding officers and IL was supposed that the
outside reports were exaggerated. The COM
manders OF camps arc responsible for the con-
dition OF their camps. and II tho men IRE not
well cared for. and II the hospital and sanitary
conditions IRE bad. the commanding officers
must answer for It The war department has
been and is ready 10 supply the demands OF the
troops for medicines and sustcnance and there
Is no reason why conditions other thnn the
best possible should exist
sternberg Makes Complaint
Lexington, KY, Sept. 22.-At the con-
ference Tuesday night Of Secretary
Alger with Gen. Breckenridge, the com.
mander Of Camp Hamilton, and other
officers, Gen. Sanger said that, while
the division hospital may be good
thing. Us 1t was conducted II had been
disgrace to the service; that II had
deprived tho regiments Of their
surgeons and caused hardships on
the sick, who should have had
better attention Mt the proper time.
Surgeon General Sternberg, in reply,
insisted that all acquisitions had been
honored In Washington. and that any
medical men failing to do their duty
should be reported. Gen. Waites told
Secretary Algcr that tho neglect of
some quartermasters to furnish sup
plies was criminal. While in Chicka-
manga, he frequently made requisi-
tions which were not honored.
The War secretary At Chattanooga.
Chattanooga, Tenn, Sept 22. Sec
rotary Alger and party reached this
city last night from Knoxville Mt $3.50
o'clock. He made n short speech
thanking the people for their courte-
Gus reception. He said, with reference
to charges Of Encouragement: THAT
some mistakes have occurred admit,
but that the medical department, the
commissary department and the quar-
termaster's apartment have done their
full duty, affirm" Secretary Alger
spent to-day at Chickamauga, visiting
Letter and Steinberg hospitals, and in
specting the camp sites Of the various
regiments Of the Camp Thomas army.