The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-11-08
OF SURF BOATS

Washington, Nov. 2.-(SpeciaD.-The
War Investigating Commission held Il
session here to-day for the purpose of
hearing the testimony of Major Henry
ROmeyne. a retired army officer. He said
that he had asked at the beginning of
the war for Il military assignment to go
to the front in his capacity as an officer.
but it was refused, and he then went as
Il correspondent of Il weekly newspaper.
His testimony covered the embarkation
of the troops at Port Tampa and the
campaign in Cuba. He said that when
he went to Port Tampa the bank of the
canal there was covered with troops.
There was great confusion, us q conse-
quence Of which a part of Il command
would go Oh one vessel and part on an
other. and the commands were in some
cases separated from their stores. He
had seen no order for the systematic en-
barkatiOn of the troops, ana he had
heard it said that they We're told to go
aboard helter-skelter.
When asked his opinion as to the prep
aration for the embarkation, the witness
hesitated. saying that to give it would in
volve criticism of his superiors. The
Commissioners insisted upon a reply, and
Mr.. Romeyne replied that ne did not
think the PREPARATION was such as it
should have been.
"There was" he said, "a lack Of surf
boats. and also of order and of prepara-
ton for landing. When the landing was
undertaken. the troops left the ships in
Discriminatory. parts going at one time
and other parts at other times
He said the town of Siboney was with
out exception the dirtiest place he had
ever seen in his life. and that no effort
was made to clean it up before the fe-
yer broke out. There was a deficiency
of proper food at the fever hospitals. and
the cooking was generally poor. Any one
in this hospital was Liable 70 contract
yellow fever. He had been 4 patient in
the hospital. and said there had been no
neglect of patients by the medical attend
ants at this hospital or at the hospitals
for the wounded. He had known sur
geons i'll the latter hospital to work sixty
hours without cessation.
why did they not have more sur
geons" asked Colonel DENLY.
The witness said he could not answer.
Major Romeyne said he had come
North as Il cOnyaleScent With many other
convalescents. on the transport Concha.
Many Of the men We're compelled to sleep
on board hunks without blankets or pill
lows, and with no covering at night ex-
ft'pI lit otbpl tlilIUIh tlltN wore ItII-
ing the day. The water was offensive
to both sight and SMELL" he said. and
the food was poor and scanty, none be-
ing provided especially for convalescents.
The meat was canned, and inferior, and
much of the hard tack moulded
He also stated that there was only
one physician aboard the vessel. and tina,
he was Il convalescent. Six men had
died on the way up, and Major Romeyne
said Tin response to a question from Cap
tain Howell that with proper attention
and good food the lives of at least some
of these men could have been saved. He
said he was unable to place the respon-
sibility for the neglect. bur that the Can
tain of the vessel had stated that when
he made application to go to jamaica for
fresh food and water before starting on
the voyage from Santiago, the request
was refused.
General Wilson. Ex-Governor Beaver
and Captain Howell go to Camp Meade
tomorrow for the purpose Of inspecting
that camp.
CUBAN GOVERNMENT WITH Us.
Washington, Nov. 2-President Masso.
Of the provisional Cuban government.
has cabled from Santa Cruz del Sur to
Senior Quesada. Secretary Of the Cuban
~ S"tAOh htit, SuA H.
Assembly has not vet met. owing TO
the absence of quorum
This was called out by inquiry from
Sellcr Quesada as to reports coming by
the way of Santiago, representing the
cuban assembly as in session at Santa
oruz del Sur and engaged in important
questions relating to the future of the
island, the disarmament of the Cuban
army. etc.
There are evidences that President
Mckinney and his Cabinet have assur-
ances that the action Of the Cuban pro-
Vlslonal government will not be antarOn-
lstlc to the policy at Washington. hut
rather IN sympathy with the execution
of that policy.
Ok. HARISUEF"S TESTIMONY
noch Suffering Due to lnexperience and
Inefficiency.