The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-03
WHEELER DEFENDS THE ARMY.
COMPLAINTS IN CIRCULATION NOT
FOUNDED ON FACTS.


Them-One Reason That the army
Was Lacking In Some Respects
Was the Hnsty Departure to Storm
santiago Before the Spaniards
Could Make Their Defenses I'M
pregnabIe - Had Been Suffering,
but Suffering Was Inevitable.
Camp wikofr, Montauk Point, L. l.,
Sept. 2-Maj Gen. Wheeler gave the fol-
lowing to the Associated Press to-day:
Headquarters United States Forces.
Camp Wikoff, L. l., Sept. l, 18sS.-The fol-
lowing is a sample of the letters we are
constantly receiving, regarding the SOL
diers In the camp:
" In regard to my step-son, we reel
very uneasy about him, on account OF the
newspaper reports of the privations and
suffering inflicted on the private soldiers.
Although he has never uttered a com
plant since he has been in the army, We
hear from other sources of the cruel and
| horrible treatment inflicted on our soldiers
under the pretense of humanity for our
neighboEs, and the whole country is in
state OF terrible excitement. 1 should not
be surprised II the feeling should lead to
revolution of some kind, for I assure
you I hear on all sides the most violent
and bitter denunciations of the war de-
partment and the administration. 1t is,
| indeed, a great pity that the glory of our
trlumphs should be dimmed by such
shameful thing as the ill-trea tment and
starvation of our own brave soldiers,
while the Spanish prisoners have the best
treatment that the country can afford.
at win be seen that this letter says
that not a word of complaint has been
received from this soldier, and so far as
my investigation goes, no complaint has
been made by any of the brave soldiers
that have added glory to our arms in the
| Cuban campaign. -
"A great many anxious fathers, mothers,
brothers or sisters arrive here from all
parts of the United States to look after
their relatives, whom, they say the papers
tell them, are suffering, and many of them
have heard that their relatives are in a
condition of starvation. Most of these peo-
pie are little able to expend money for
such a journey, and they are surprised
when they come here to find their rela-
which can be procured by money; and If
sick in the hospital they are gratihed and
surprised to find that they are given every
possible care
I'm reply to a direct request that I will
! give the exact facts as l see them, I win
state: Every officer and soldier who went
| to Cuba regarded that he was given a
great and special privilege in being per-
mitted to engage in that campaign. They
knew they were to encounter yellow fever
and other diseases, as well as the torrid
heat of the country and they were proud
and glad to do so. They knew that it
was impossible for them to have the adj
vantage of wagon transportation which
| usually accompanies armies, and yet off,
GERS and men were glad to go, to carry
| their blankets and their ratlons on their
| backs, and to be subjected without any
shelter to the sun and rains by day and
| the heavy dews by night. They certainly
| know that the SpaniardS had spent years
in erecting defenses, and 1t was their
pleasure TO assault and their duty 10
capture the Spanish works They were
more than glad to incur the hardships
and these dangers. They went there and
did their duty; each man seeming to feel
| that American honor and prestige was to
| be measured by his conduct The brave
men who won the victories did not COM
plain of the neglect of the government.
TO the President and Secretary of War
| for giving them the opportunity to incur
| these dangers and hardships. They realiz-
| ed that in the hurried organization of an
expedition by a government which had no
one with any experience in such matters
! 1t was impossible to have everything ar
ranged to perfection; and they wil testi-
| fly that under the circumstances the con-
dtions were much more perfect than any
one would have reason to expect and
that the President and Secretary of War
| and others who planned and dispatched
the expeditions, deserve high commenda-
ton.
lone reason why our army was lacking
| in some respects in equipage was that q
telegram was received from Admiral
Sampson stating that II the army reach
ed there Immediately they could take the
city at once, but if they should be delay
ed the fortiications of the Spaniards
would be so perfected that there might
| be great difficulty in taking it. On receiv-
| ing this dispatch from Admiral Sampson,
! the war department directed the army to
| move at once, and as all connected with
the army will recall, the orders were re-
ceived after dark, and the army was in
motion, had Travelled nine miles and was
on the ships at daylight. When the expe-
dition sailed for Cuba IL went there escort
ed by a large feet of warships. At that
time it was regarded as impossible for a
|
from any American port to Santiago
but as soon as the Spanish feet was
destroyed so that It was possible for un-
| armed ships to sail safely to Santiago, the
generous people of the United States SUBJ
lscribed money without limit and DISPATCH
ed ship after ship Soaded with luxuries and
delicacies for the Santiago army, and
everything that could be accomplished for
! their comfort was done by the President
| and Secretary of War.
After the surrender had been completed
! and arrangements perfected for transport
ing the Spanish army to Spain, the Presi-
dent and Secretary of War sent shipping
to Santiago and transported our army TO
one of the most healthful localities in the
| United States.
'The point selected by the Secretary of
| War was so situated that though rough,
protection was given the people Of the
| United States from the danger Of yellow
| fever contagion. The soldiers upon their
| arrival at this place received every ca re