The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-16
MILES WAS AT ia UT
The War Board criticises the Com
handing General.

handing General.
Declares HIS Story OF Emb. Inn : j. i c.f
without Founaation, ana Cen
sures Him ina Mild Way-An
outline Of Its Findings.
washington, Feb. 13.-The report
submitted to the presid emit last Wednes-
Gay oy the commission appointed by
him to investigate the conduct Of the
war department. in the war with Spain
was made public Sunday. The report
~ unanimous one, all the members
VI me commission having signed it ex-
cePt COL. Sexton, whose death occurred
reoruary 4 The report is voluminous
document, containing about $4,000
"oius' and an official abstract, prepared
oy the secretary of the commission, was
Iurn'sn ned to the press for its con-
Inc abstract, after speaking Of the or
Sazat,on Of the commission. September
e. 4s,, ana the facilities afforded the press to
ings of th ne IAN american people with the do
oo3s - - the Dody, says that among the first
eSes VI the commission was to request the
s1SIetary OF war and other officials Of the
plants to tran 15snsmt Ell the com
1 mrh,nit ts Of their respective bureaus.
ana fG req, was promptly complied with,
were forwarded to the commission imme-
Ulately on their receipt at the war de-
Partment. The commission also, through
edge or belief Of any ofiiciai wrons or dere-
nction to submit their statements in writ
IN ing; ;n a1ccompanied by such collateral proof
posal. This invitation met with a liberal
response: Next. the secretary of war was
requested to direct the various chiefs of
department under him to furnish the COM
mission with a statement Of the condi-
ton Of their respective departments at
me outbreak Of the war and the operations
VI the same during the period of hostilities.
Scope OF the Inquiry.
This communication recited in detail the
subjects on which information was de-
SIRED. comprising acts touching the mo-
tha za an,o OF troops and their organization.
son equipage on hand at the beginning of
the war, the amount subsequently pur-
Gf o 1Sea,. similar Information with regard
coutrements, information as to which of
the volunteer regiments were armed and
the location of the camp of general rendez-
vous was determined, full particulars as to
the transportation of troops, an account of
nished. information as to the tentase. beds.
linen, medicines and ali other necessaries
1or the hospitals. as to whether the medical
and operations of the engineer and ord
nance departments.
No Evidence Of DishOnesty,
1T may be said now, at the beginning of
TINS report. that there has been no evil
dence before us that anyone in or connect
ed with the war department has dishon-
estly received a dollar. We have made
OF persons to whose names rumor had at
~tached an allegation that they knew of cor
ruption Of officials in the war department.
ments attributed to them or have main
.ained SILENCE when invited to tell what
Before proceeding to a specific descrip-
ton of the conduct and management of the
war: the report gives comments and sug-
came under consideration as logical con-
sequence of the inquiry pursued by the
G iSsn is 1t that the pres
ice in time of war all retired officers of the
army In the matter of regimental Off
GERS GERS the commissi9n found that all yolun-
tary experience and training Jared much
better than those differed by amateurs
The soldiers were more effectively cared
for, enjoyed better health and were better
fed and clothed. The commission recon-
mends for the future strict examination
into the qualifications of all officers ap-
pointed to the army, regular or volunteer.
The establishment of schools of instruc-
civilian life to meet the emergency created
by the war is highly commended.
Conditions at Opening of the War.
The report now proceeds to take up the
subjects &c IN their re. regular order. beginning
1898, the strength Of the army was s,143 OH
GERS and 2G,o40 enlisted men, total of 49,
49, War with t the Xxi kingdom of Spain was
volunteers had been mustered into the
service: In l. August NJ 1898 the regular army
2 aambf fofa he rSeE sea %
selves indicate that an immense work was
thrown upon the war department. After
%heh the aid u no
it suddenly, became necessary to "a arm m.
clothe. feed and equip more than 100000.
in detail in subsequent parts of this report.
The sudden emergency which called our
psope to arms after fersa of half
was met by the war department with ear,
nestness and energy. The situation found
stock of arms, ammunition, clothing. sup
plies and equipments That they were duly
provided. and that the numerous r2 demands ds
vels of history
One Lesson Taught.
A recommendation looking to the future
by the war is that the country Should here
after be in better state of preparation for
war. Suggestions have been made that
large supplies of all the material not liable
to deterioration should be kept on hand.
to be continuously issued and renewed, SO
that in any emergency they might be avail
able. Especially should this be the case
with such supplies which cannot be rapidly
obtained in open market
A Significant Suggestion.
Perhaps the most significant utterance
in the whole document, so far as concerns
the discipline and efficiency of the army.
comes next. It says that for many years
the war department has produced friction.
for which, in the interest of the service, a
remedy, If possible, should be applied. The
mander in chief Of the army, and he can
not transfer that authority to any other
person. The president selects his secre-
tary of war, who has his CONFIDENCE, and
manding general is assigned to duty as
such by the president After quoting the
duties of the Commanding general. the
report says; the presiden5f m his sen nave
in chief as he has of his secretary of war;
without this there can be no guaranty that
he will give or that the secretary of war
will place in the general in chief that CON
mony Neither the president nor the Sec
rotary of war should have in the command
of the army an officer VINO IS not working
in harmony with him.
The Secretary of War.
The report now takes up the war depart
ment and it's various chiefs of subdivisions,
beginning with the secretary of war. THE
records of the war department. which have
been laid before US, SHOW that the ssGre-
reaus cordial and full support. and prompt
Nv responded to every proper demand made
upon him by commanding 9mcers: No
testimony has been gfx nor s Sh9wng in
70 serve DerSOnal interests. The charges