The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-28
READY FOR
BUSINESS
Complaints Against War
Department.
INVITED BY INQUIRERs
HEARSAY EVIDENCE NOT WANTED

consider all complaints about the man
ag~ment Of any OF the various branches
of the war department from any persol
or persons. Such complaints must be
made In writing, stating facts that the
party knows OF his knowledge plainly
and in detail. and giving names OF any
officers or enlisted men who may bt
charged with misconduct or incompe-
tency
Letters were sent to the secretary OF
war. enclosing a list OF inquiries TO the
secretary. and to the heads OF the vari-
Gus divisions OF the war department
calling for specific information bearing
upon the conduct of the war To Sec
retary Alger the commission has ad-
dressed these queries:
1-Plan OF campaign proposed imme-
diately after the declaration of war: was
IL intended To move at once on Havana
or that the campaign should be post
poned until the autumn?
2-When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
3-Why was Tampa selected as the
base OF operations?
4-Why were summer camps organ
!zed at Fernandina, Jacksonville and
Tampa?
5-When was the Porto Rico cam
paign determined upon?
6-Why were the troops held on trans
ports after embarkation at Tampa and
not permitted TO sail for several days?
The II questions addressed TO the med
zeal department are:
1-What was the organization OF the
medical department on April I. 1898?
How many officers with their rank how
many hospital stewards, and what was
the size OF hospital corps?
2-How many ambulances and litters
were available?
3-An army OF what size was the de-
partment able to fit out with medical
officers. stewards and hospital corps and
necessary surgical Instruments and sup
plies OF every character?
4-Between April and Aug. 81. 1898.
what steps were taken for fully supply
ing an army Of 100000 men with all re-
cessary surgeons, stewards. hospital
corps. ambulances. litters surgical in
struments and supplies of all and every
character?
organized? Where located how
equipped and managed. number of pa
tients and number of deaths i'm each
case between April ard Aug. 81, 1898?
6-How many hospitals were estab-
lished at various camps? What were
the arrangements for the care and COM
fort OF the sick and wounded? How
many sick were cared for at each camp
Ae fol 49, n
What. IL any. railroad ambulance
trains wsre established? Where were
they located and used?
S-How many hospital ships were OBJ
tained? How were they equipped, how
managed, and what work did they per-
form? What arrangements were made
and how were the armies operating in
Cuba, Porto Rico and Philippines sup
piled with medical officers, medical sup
plies and food for the sick md wounded?
9-What number OF surge ons of vol
unteers. hospital stewards. nurses at
tendants. etc. were employed between
April ] and Aug. 81. in addition TO those
in the service Of the United States on
April /. 1898?
10-Were all the vessels used in trans
porting sick and wounded thoroughly
Inspected by medical officer before
troops were permitted to embark. and
were they fully supplied with surgeons.
surgical instruments, medical supplies
Of every character potable water and
proper food for sick ard convalescents?
1l--Were the armies operating in Cuba,
Porto. Rico and the Philippines fully
equipped with efficient surgeons, stew
ards and hospital corps. and with .m-
balances. litters, surgical Instruments,
medical supplies of all kinds and proper
food for the sick and wounded?
12-Were the surgeons I'm the various
camps instructed to carefully watch
their sanitary condition. To look after
their cleanliness. to demand the proper
supply OF water, TO test the water as To
its character. 10 look into the cooking
arrangements, and to locate the sinks to |
zee To their proper care?
1S-Why We're regimental hospitals I'm |
camps abolished and division hospitals |
substituted? Were the results salts |
factory?
14-How were the surgeons employed |
In the field. In camps and i'm general hor- |
pitals selected? Was there any regu- |
lar examination required. and as a rule
have they proved efficient and faithful? |
15-How were the hospital stewards.
nurses and attendants selected?
16-What. IL any. complaints in writ
Ing have been received by the surgeon
general I'm reference 60 the prompt com
pliance with requisitions the lack of
proper medical attendance. the lack OF
surgical Instruments. the lack OF proper
care. food and water FOR the sick and
wounded with armies in the field or with
troops In camp. or men in general hoe
pitals and field h hcsptals. or on railroad
trairs or transports at sea? In fact
what. any, complaints have been made
In writing I'm reference tp the issuing
of proper supplies o. the performance
Of any duty app srtaining 10 the medical
department ~ the army?
H-Nhat fund.- were az the command
Df the department. on Aprii I. and what
, iditior al fun;s were available by Aug
81 under general or special legislation?
Thee are also IL interrogations ad-