The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-13
REPORT or THE WAR
INQUIRY BOARD.
Many Faults Were Due to the Unpre-
parednesS Of the Country--A Rep
rimand For Maj. Gen. Miles.

Washington. Feb. 13-The report OF
the commission appointed by the presi-
dent 10 investigate the conduct OF the
war department was made public last
night in the form OF a voluminous volume
| OF $1,000 words.
The report in substance exonerates
Secretary Alger on all the charges made
against him in connection with the war.
| lOn the charges made by General Miles
| that "embalmed" beef was furnished the
| troops. the report says that the charges
| were not well founded
I OF General Eagan's department, the re.
| port speaks very kindly.
The general tone OF the report Is one
of general approval for the secretary and
his bureau chiefs and OF criticism for
! General Miles. whom IL takes occasion to
reprimand directly, charging him with
neglect OF duty.
The fault for practically all the trouble
experienced in supplying the troops with
food, etc, and the failure OF the medicA
department TO take proper care OF the
army. is ascribed 10 the country being
unprepared for wax.
The commission finds that Chicka-
mauga camp was overcrowded, that
Camp Alger was improperly located and
that the other camps. with the exception
of Miami, were well selected. Miami
which the board says was selected by
General Miles, is branded as an improper
selection in every way.
The report says in part: ANY charge
OF corruption or intimaton of fraud or
bribery in connection with the letting OF
any contract. even a hint OF wrong
doing, has been carefully Investigated.
1T may be said now. at the beginning
of this report, that there has been no
evidence before us that any one in or
connected with the war department has
dishonesty received a dollar"
In the matter OF regimental officers, the
commission recommends for the future
a strict examination into the qualifica-
tions OF all officers appointed TO the
army, regular or volunteer. The estab-
lishment OF schools OF instruction for in
experienced officers taken from civilian
life TO meet the emergency created by
the war, is highly recommended.
The routine work In the departments"
says the commission. lin our opinion, is
far beyond what is necessary, and each
year seems to increase IT, The methods
employed make Il almost impossible To
transact business promptly. No
well-regulated concern or corporation
could transact business satisfactorily
under such regulations as govern the
staff departments"
Speaking OF the lessons taught by ex-
perience. the report says: THE present
camps are models the hospitals adapted
TO the comfort and care of the sick, the
grounds clean and the sanitary condi-
tions greatly improved. The troops are
now moved with promptness, without
friction aud with more rapidity than in
the beginning of the war.
One OF the lessons taught by the war
is that the country should hereafter be
In better state Of preparation for war.
Suggestions nave been made that large
supplies Of all the material not liable to
deterioration should be kept on hand to
be continuously issued and renewed. SD
that i'm any emergency they might be
available"
Perhaps tho most significant utterance
In the whole document so far as con-
Germs the discipline and efficiency of the
army comes next:
For many years the divided authority
and responsibility in the war depart
ment has produced friction for which a.
remedy. If possible. should he applied"
The commission then quotes Lieutenant
General Schofeld. who recommended the
revival Of the rank Of general-in chief
which makes the commanding general
- -
This is the nearest the board comes to
suggesting a remedy.
THE records OF the war department
show that the secretary OF war extended
TO all chiefs of bureaus cordial and full
support. and promptly responded TO
every proper demand made upon him by
commanding officers. No testimony has
been presented showing intentional neg
lect OF duty nor any attempt to serve
personal interests. The charges made
that the secretary OF war was pecuni-
arily interested In contracts, purchases
and other transactions OF the war de-
partment have been thoroughly exam
ined and found baseless."
OF the department, the commission
says: The declaration OF war throw
upon the department an amount of labor
and responsibility for which 1t was
neither physically nor financially pre-
pared. In~STite Of every effort there
were occasions where troops suffered
from poor tentage or from lack of tent
age and absence OF straw for bedding.
where clothing was scarce and troops ,
suffered discomfort for lack Of shoes.
shirts and other articles OF apparel.
AT Santiago the deficiency al the front |,
appears 90 have been caused rather from |
lack of transportation from the coast |