Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-12
.ALGER's STATEMENT,
His Report to War Investigating
Commission
| THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN,
Reason Why Changes Were Made IN tho
| Original Plan.
WHY TAMPA WAS MADE A nAsE
sampson's Telegram Hnrrying CD
Movement of Troops to sansaso-
MiIes's Advice That First Move Bs
Made Against Porto Rico. .x.;,<
WHY TAMPA WAS MADE A pAsE

WASHINGTON, october 1.-THE War
Investigating Commission devoted It's
forenoon session to-day to the examina-
ton OF Secretary Algers statement and
the papers furnished by him in reply to
the commissions inquiries. The accom-
panying papers included reports from the
various bureaus of ehe War Department. !.
and also various letters and kilograms
bearing upon the conduct of che war.
Secretary Alger, In his report, replies to
the various questions prcpounded by the
commission, but he gives especial promi-
nence to tho plan Of campaign, and to
the changes that were made In the origi-
nal plan
He states that Tampa was CHOSEN as
the base of operations because Of Its
proximity to Habana, at which point II
was originally intended The first attack
should be made. The determination to
make a change was due TO the develop
ments on the southern coast OF Cuba, and
| to Admiral Cervera's course I'm locating
| his feet IN the bay at Santiago. When 1t
became quite certain that he was secure
ly entrapped In the bay. Admiral Samp-
son wired the fact to the Secretary OF
! the Navy, asking that troops be sent i'm
mediately. lie said that he had silenced
the batteries which were accessible from
the sea, and that 1900 men could capture
the town within forty-eght hours.
THE DELAY AT TAMPA.
The text of this message Is given, IA
IS the text of various other kilograms.
showing the cause of the delay in putting
the expedition off. this cause being, as
frequently published. the report that
Spanish warships wers lying in walt for
the transports.
Secretary Alger adds that the Spanish
were reinforced after Admiral Sampson
had sent his message.
The report shows that General Miles
advised I'm the beginning that the first
move should be made against Porto Rico.
and that after that island should be sub
iugated the American forces should be
landed on the north coast OF Cuba, at
some point from which they could move
conveniently, either 10 the east or to 'iis
west.
| Another reason for locating the camps
In the South was that the troops might
become acclImated before being sent ia
Cuba.
GRAHAM TEsTIFIEs.
Maior-General william NJ. Graham was
the only witness before the commission
to-day. He was fourth I'm command al
Camp Alger at the beginning Of the war,
| and detailed the conditions which pre-
| vailed at that camp. There was only
| one railroad running into the camp, ana
| the station was about one mile ana uat'
| distant No running stream was near Dy
| but there were many fine springs. ana
| brooks formed by the springs. He thought
| the water supply was sufficient whfr
| the camp numbered no more thah
Ave regiments OF troops. but as the troops
increased 1t became necessary TO dls
wells. There was delay In digging tn'
the wells. The supply was ample Tor al
| purposes after they were sunk, excep
| bathing The wells were well cased, an'
| there was no surface pollution OF them
| Before the wells were sunk, General Grs
| ham said, there was undoubtedly some in
convenience on account OF the hscessi.
OF going a long distance for water
was also his impression that tnere ha'
been some complaints OF sickness on &C
count ~ the water famine, which ha'
continued from the Goth OF May untii IN
9sth OF June. with varying degrees Oh IN
| tensity.
WATER NOT RESPONSIBLE.
General Graham did not Deiieve tnat tn'
snrlne and well water had been RESPONSE
he Tor the sickness al Camp Alger, bu'
was inclined to attribute much OF th'
,rouble TO the fact that the soldiers
insisted upon taking water from the htti'
streams running through the camps
rbera had been considerable typhoid
fever al the camp, but II did not origf
( nate there. and the first cases Were
isolated. During the entire stay al TN
camp less than 4 per cent. OF the com
mand was sick. There were sixty-nin.
Deaths Ave being those OF officers Mucl
of the sickness was in his opinion due U
delicacles sen; TO the Soldiers from home
when the typhoid-fever began 20 o
considered an epidemic he ISSUED ssric
Y orders for the detailing OF guards Tor IN
Il care OF sinks. making any neglect al
offence punishable by arrest Many otne
nrecautioas were taken 10 protect tn
nsn. from contamination. including IN
removal OF the sinks TO a. proper distanc
from the kitchens
At this poii4t the commission adJourne
for the day. General Graham not havin