The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-08-05
REPLIES TO CRITICS.
Mr.. Alger Makes a Statement Re-
garding His Official Acts,
Tells How the Big Volunteer Army for the
spanish War Was Equipped, aud
says Every Dollar ApPropia-
ted Was Accounted For.

Washington, Aug. Lone OF the last
official acts of Secretary Alger, who to.
day relinquished his portfolio, was to
prepare a statement covering several
matters regarding the conduct of the
war which have been the subject of crit
icism in the public press, particularly
with reference to the appointment OF
staff officers in the volunteer army.
The statement follows:
lam led TO make the following statements on
account Of the many criticisms which have
| been made by the public press and especially
| on account OF recent article which appeared
| In the London Times containing assertions
| which have no foundation in 4 ,ith- AT the
commencement OF the var with Spain and for
several years prior 10 that time the regular
army consisted OF only 5000 men, with the
| minimum number OF oficers prescribed by law.
| The situation will be partially appreciated
/ when It Is remembered that, within 6O days
from the declaration OF war, the strength OF the
army was increased 70 26,OoO and everything
for the equipment OF this great force, including
clothing, tents. transportation. medical sup
plies camps and camp equipage and oil that
pertains to equlpping an army for service had
TO be manufactured, transported and distrib-
uted for use.
The returns OF the volunteer army show that
In August, 1898. there were 2J7, 24i enlisted men
| and S7s5 officers In those regiments. This,
4 with the regular army recruited up TO the. war
l strength, made an aggregate force OF about 20,
I 900 officers and men. The volunteer officers ap'
| pointed by the president number all told, i.OS2
4 OF this number AL were taken from the regular
| army and 59l from civil life. The scarcity o.
regimental officers In the regular service, owlnl
30 appointments In the volunteers, specla
recruiting and mastering details, had 81
reduced their number that to haV'
taken a larger number for service witt
the volunteers would have seriously impaire'
: the efficiency OF the regular regiments. For
little over 1000 appointments made by the pres
. ident, the number OF applications was owe
25, 600 and each application was accompanied by
certificate OF his ability, and In most Instance
, the military service, either in the re guar arm
, or state organization, and not infrequently |
both These certificates showed that each on
, | was as well qualified for the position he sough
: and to which he was appointed as could be pos
T slide for men In civil life In this country. {
a | the number appointed there were, for instance
Z 20 major generals, OF whom 10 were taken frol
the regular army and seven from civil life. {
I these seven all but one were graduates OF Wes
!. Point military academy, and all had distir
4 civil war or brigadier generals there were II
= appointed 90 from the regular army and
a from civil life. These from civil life had q
n seen service during the civil war or on our ives
| ern frontier and all had proven themselv'
. competent 10 command
" IL has been stated and repeated many tim
n that the secretary OF war made these appoin
ments, when the truth is that very few we
made upon his recommendation, although
"a caused the entire list with the recommend
n tions to be complied and placed before Il
"A president for his selection. would be only u
n glad to have had the honor to have made the
Ct appointments No better, no more loyal
1e patriotic set OF men, as whole, ever serv
ve their country and their appoint ments were
es credit, not only to the appointing power but
IA the country they served, There were exec
~ tlons, but that could not have bee foresee
II In every walk OF life men are found who cam
tis carry out satisfactorily the work they have u
We dertaken.
nv Criticisms as 10 the amounts and methods
n, expenditures which could imply the wrong
7 careless use OF money were also made by
tn London Times, This charge is false. so far
ha the conduct OF the service was concerned
IL | person with any knowledge OF tne farts
I'm ever charge truthfully, and no one can eN
show, thata dollar was misapproprlated, stol
or embezzled, out OF the hundreds OF millions
ne dollars that we're expended. The records {
r. IN open book, and will be glad to have th
riVidly examined, and ask my successor TO or
Va those accounts TO the country whenever pre-
nd erly called for, in order that the entire trI
rs may be known.
no r. A. ALGER, Secretary Of War
sI, Washington, July 81, 1899.