The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-14


plants TO me as my best reply. Even
then | did not tell them all the facts
which 7 had discovered by my own In
vostigation.
a MATTER OF DUTY.
This inquiry was carried on quietly
through the proper branches Of the War
Department and was begun as a matter
OF duty by the commanding general after
the receipt of am immense number OF
complaints That investigation Is stu be-
ing prosecuted. and j still think, as
said before that 1t would have been
much better had the officers OF the War
department. who had in charge the
care and proper feeding Of the soldiers
been allowed 10 attend TO these matters
in their OVID way"
General Pagan. when seen to-day, had
nothing 10 say. lie regretted. he said.
tho newspaper notoricty which had ale
ready been involved. The controversy
was not Of his seeking and ne should
decline TO say anything further regarding
g.
In the excitement created 10y this in
cident the pending issue before the
commission. the quality of the army
beef was well nigh lost sight of.
There were. however. two piquant addi-
lions to that part Of the proceedings,
one consisting of the testimony of Gen
eral Wood 10 the effect that 30 one
who amounted 90 anything mad made
any complaint as to the rations. and
the other q letter from Theodore Roose-
welt making complaint regarding the
beef
LETTER FROM ROOSEVELT.
Governor Rooscvclts letter was 20
General Miles. and Is as follows:
state OF New York,
Executive Chamber,
albany. January Q. 1880.
General Nelson A. Miles. Washington:
my Dear General Miles, do not dis
iinctlv understand about this beef con-
troversv. but possibly what ! write may
be OF some use. The canned corned peel
Wa found 10 be good. The so-caiiea
canned roast beef that was issued to MS
for travel rations. both on the transport
and on the train and which We occasion
aUv got even at The front, was piacu-
caIlv worthless. Unless very hungry the
men would not touch &c. and even when
suffering from lack Of food they never
ate a fifth of IT, AT the best 10 was taste
less. al the worst. it was nausealnS'
There was only q supply OF beer ON the
shane Of Quarters) which was put ABOARD
our TRANSPORT AT Tampa II was sup
u0EnH
Withstand tropical heat IL at once be-
carne putrid and smelt so that We had 10
disnose Of il for fear Of IT'S creating dis
ease. 1 think We threw 30 overheard
Al any rate So was condemned. Tine
beef we got I'm Santiago-about The 2ith
or 9th of July-that u.s. after the siege
had onled and when my brigade h"o
been without fresh meat or vegetables
for n month-was generally good. 10y
thar time the cavalry division was lh
slcklv condition. The fact that the meat
ration WAS so bad as generally 20 DC lh-
edible caused very great hardship lo my
men and reduced their supply OF .o"N
below what was necessary TO Keep them
I'm proper condition.
VERY sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEN
EAGAN TALKS.
coromissory General Eagan consented
a. ne interviewed tonight When inc
subject of his testimony before the in-
,.oetfgatinc Commission was hroacheu'
General Pagan first made clear the iact'
that ne and he alone was responsive lot
the staten cnts. both as TO the facts ana
language. DO ~.-.,
- mad my own grievance General
Tapan said. a terrible charge was
brought against me. / was accused OF
cheating: ] was accused OF polsonlHs
soldiers under the pretense OF expert
mont. II il had not been for that charge
might not have spoken before the COM
mission as I did. For three weeks
chafed under the charge OF having
poisoned soldiers under the pretense OF
experimonting with chemicals. If II had
not bee for this probably ! would not
have used such language before the COM
mission. Let those who criticise my lam
oiiape be placed in the same position i'm
which / was placed. There is no gored
hun but what feels the pain"