The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-02
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY :, 1899.
The Army scandal.


interest which the country takes in the
statement Of Major General Miles concern
ing embaImed, medicated, and decomposed
meat. Also, there is not the least ques-
ton that the American people accept what
the general n-chief of the army has to say
as truth. while they would not be similarly
disposed toward any whitewashing report
that might emanate from the Alger Relief
Commission.
The latter has been from its inception so
VIGOROUSLY only committee to find ex-
cuses for inefficiency or worse in the con-
duct OF the Spanish war. by the War De-
partment, that it is utterly discredited,
and what it may find or leave unbound will
make not the slightest difference. In fact,
its very existence becomes unimportant in
the face of a straight issue. which has been
Joined between the truth of the commits
sary scandal, and the persons, whoever
they may be, who are the guilty creatures
responsible for the starvation and poison
ing OF American soldiers.
General Miles has declared openly that
his charges respecting the issue of bad
meat TO our troops are supported by OFF,
cial reports from thirty commanding Off
GERS. He reiterates the statement that
beef sent to the army in Cuba and Porto
Rico was treated with chemicals, and he
Tenews the assertion, long matter OF pub
lie belief. that the alleged canned roast
beef forced upon the regulars and yolun-
teers WAS nothing other than meat pulp
from which beef extract had been made,
packed with a little grease, and innutri-
tious aad nauseaung. All these charges
General Miles offers to prove, as a result
Of an Investigation which it was his duty
10 make as the senior commanding officer
of the army.
No sooner is the shadow Of truth thrown
on The scandal by the general-in-chief than
the War Department ring is up in arms,
and yesterday it was reported that Rus
sell =. Aiger, by the wrath OF God Secre-
taEy Of War. had determined to demand a
court-nartiaI to try General Miles.
We sincerely hope that he will stick
TO this purpose. For the good and honor
Of the army. and the vindication of its
general, nothing could be better If Al
ger can be kept in a state of anger long
enough TO dare the inevitable conse-
quences of an army investigation into the
corruption that has surrounded him, and
which has disgraced our military service
in the eyes of the world. the country viii
be only too well pleased.
We are told, however, that President
Mckinley deprecates any further ven
tilation OF the matter of beef; that AL
gerism has made him almost as i'll as Al
gerian rotten meat made his troopers;
and that he will insist upon silence on
AIger's part.
1t is said, and unkindly said, that he
thinks the report Of the Alger Relief Com
mission viii put an end 10 the scandal
officially, and that then he will be able "a
ignore what the newspapers may offer
further on the subject We take it rs
insulting to his honesty and manhood tc
assume the possibility OF such a course.
Mr. Mckinley is quite as well aware rs
. we are. that ninety-nine ne-hundredths of
the population of the United States are con-
ciusively convinced Of the simple and start
ling truth Of the allegations made b. Gen
eral Miles. Being so, it is also known TO
him that popular opinion holds certain
officials, hitherto dear TO him. guilty oil
crimes for which they deserve to be placed
in penitentiary. in company with their
no less eulpable principals and owners in
civil life.
Does ;he President desire to suppress
the truth as the Alger Relief Commission
has shown Itself willing TO? Does he hope
that the facts of great crime against an
army engaged in war. can be successfully
ignored OF denied? Does he believe that
the masses who may be called upon to vote
for him next, year would tolerate him In