Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-04
THE WAR INVESTIGATION.
Gen. Wheeler Will Be First Witness Their
Future Plans.

Washington. Oct. 3.-All the members
were present at today's session, except
Of the war investigation committee
Gov. Beaver, and the announcement
was made that he would be in attend
ance. tomorrow, when Gen. Wheeler
will be in attendance as the first wit
ness before the commission. Today
session was devoted largely to the con-
sideration of the method for the exam
nation of witnesses. and in this con-
nection the question OF administering
oaths was discussed at considerable
length.
The members generally took the po-
sition that under strict construction
the commission had no authority to
compel witness to be sworn by a
member Of the commission, but there
was general opinion that the witt
nesses would not raise technical objec-
tons. 1t was suggested that the whole
difficulty might be avoided by getting
the President to appoint one Of the Off
GERS of the board to the offices of a
notary public and it is probable that
this request will be made. To Gov.
Beaver was assigned the task of lead
ing in the examination Of witnesses.
The commission also received sew
eral additional communications which
received attention. Among these was
letter from Surgeon General Stern
berg, inviting the committee to visit
his office. No action, was taken upon
this invitation.
Surgeon General Stemberg. today,
sent the following communication to
the investigating committee. The
statement referred to as inclosed has
been published heretofore:
War Department. Surgeon Generals
Office, Washington, Oct. 2.
To Gen. G. NJ. Dodge, president of
board to investigate the War De-
| partment:
! Sir-I have the honor to submit for
| the consideration of the committee OF
investigation the enclosed Statement;
relating to responsibility in the medical
department of the army. l respectful
| ly suggest that the committee as a
| whole or a subcommittee visit tn.
| office of the surgeon general at al
| early day for the purpose of investi.
eating the organization and methods
of work which have been employed II
my Office during the war with Spain.
| / have received copy of the ques
| tons relating to the medical depart
ment and shall do my best to answer
| those questions in full at as early Z
date as is practicable. But consider
able time will be required owing tt
the enormous amount of importan
official business pertaining to THE reg
ular administrative work of the office
To neglect this would give just caus
for criticism and l am sure the com
mission will agree with me that m,
!. first duty is to provide for the prope
care Of the sick of our armies in tn
field and in garrison, so far as this lie
, in my power. This has been my ear
: nest endeavor from the outset of GU
| short and glorious war with Spain.
Very respectfully,
Il GEORGE NJ. STERNBERG,
At the afternoon session of the com
4 mission several complaints were rea
e in regard to the method of transport
ing men from Santiago, the names O
the vessels on which it was allege
that abuses had occurred being tn
( Concho. the Seneca, the Breakwatel
the Olivette and the City of Washing
8 ton.
1t was decided to make thoroug
;, investigation of this branch Of the ser
y vice and Chairman Dodge was direc
u ted to secure the names of the com
, manding officers for the medical Off