The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1899-05-12
Miles Censured.


of the president, who approves the find
ings, Acting Secretary of War Miekle-
john to-day made public the report
and findings of the military court ap-
pointed to investigate the Charges
made by Major General Miles. COM
manding the army, that the beef sup
piled to the army during the war with
SPAN was unfit for the use of the
troops.
The court finds that General Miles
allegations that the refrigerated beef
was treated with chemicals were not
established; that his allegations
concerning the canned fresh or canned
coast beef were sustained as to its un-
suitability tor food as used on the
transports and as long continued
field ration.
General Miles is censuree for "error"
in failing to promptly notify the secre-
tary Of war when he first formed the
opinion that the food was unfit Gen.
eral Eagan, formeraly commissary
general, is censured for too extensive
purchases OF the canned beef as an un-
tried ration. Colonel Maus, of General
Miles staff, is also censured.
The court finds that the packers were
not at fault; that the meats supplied
to the army were Of the same quality
as those supplied to the trade gener.
ally, recommends that no further pro-
ceedings be taken in the premises.
There is more or less criticism Of
of General Miles in various parts Of
the report.
1.-THE court finds that the major gen.
eral commanding the army had no
sufficient justification for alleging that
the refrigerated beef was embalmed or
was unfit for issue to troops. 1t also
finds that he committed an error in
that, having belief or knowledge as
claimed, that the food was unfit, that
it caused sickness and distress, that
some of it was supplied under the, pre-
tense OF experiment, that other beef
was embalmed, he did not immediate.
ly report such knowledge or belief
to the secretary of war to the end that
proper remedy might be promptly
applied"
Commenting upon General Miles
testimony that he had first formed the
opinion last August that the refriger-
ated beef was processed, the court re.
marks
Whatever the date upon which he
formed belief, or reasonable suspi-
clon, that the health Of the troops was
being impaired by the use of delete
rious food, it was his bounden duty, IN
the opinion of the court, intantly to
take the most effective measures with
in his control to ascertain the actual
fact and to correct the wrong, if any
should be found"
"Considering the little use that had
been made of this beef this regular
army, the probability that the volun.
teers were entirely ignorant Of it, that
its use as part of the field ration had
never been sanctioned by the presi-
dent or secretary OF war, the court can
but characterize the action of the
commissary general Of subsistence as
unwarranted and reckless-in that he
ordered the purchase Of such enormous
quantities Of food that was practically
untried and unknown, and the court so
finds.
The court also finds that there is no
ground for any imputation whatever
Of any other actuating motive on the
part of the commissary general than
the earnest desire to procure the best
possible food for the troops. The
court pronounces this act of the com.
missary general Of subsistence colos.
sal error tor which there is no pallia.
tion."
The court finds that there was neg
lect in Cuba and, to less degree, in
Porto Rico in delivering the refriger-
ated beef. "The court" says the re-
port, 'does not wish to state the case
more strongly than to say that the find.
ings appear to be warranted that too
much time was consumed in distribu-
ting this perishable article. The fault
if any there was rested with the bri-
gade and higher commanding officers
and their commissaries and quarter
masters, but the testimony is not so
definite or specific as to warrant the
naming by the court Of any particular
officers"
Az ,nctrurfion of procident MEX inlpv