The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-14
WAR
Investigating Commissions
Report Made Public.
1T Is NO MERE WHITEWASH
Miles Turned Down Hard,
But Even AIger
1T Is NO MERE WHITEWASH
DOES NOT WHOLLY ESCAPE
Whatever Its Errors the WarDepart-
ment Didn't BOodIe--And 1t
Won the War.

washington, Feb. 13.-The report sub
united to the president last Wednesday by
the commission appointed by him to in
vestigate the conduct Of the war depart
ment in the war with Spain has been
made public The report is a unanimous
one all the members of the commission
having signed it except Colonel Sexton,
whose death occurred February 4. AT its
close it says:
1T is with profound regret that the COM
mission reports that during its later ses-
sions Colonel James A. Sexton was pre-
vented by sickness from being present, and
on the 4th day of February our colleague
closed an honored and active life"
The report is vOluminous document
containing about 5000 words, and an Off
cial abstract prepared by the secretary Of
the commission was furnished to the press
for its convenience.
This abstract says:
''The commission organized on September
"a, electing General Grenville NJ Dodge,
president; Hon. Charles DENLY, vice presi-
dent, and Mr.. Richard Weightman, secre-
tary. General James A. Beaver was desig-
mated to conduct the examination Of wit
nesses: Lieutenant Colonel F. B. Jones.
chief quartermaster Of volunteers, was de-
tailed by the war department as disbursing
officer, and Major Stephen c. Mills u. S.
A, was appointed by the president as re-
corder.
"On Monday, the 26th Of September the
commission convened in regular session.
III
rooms six journalists three Of them repre-
senting the three established press asso-
Citations. Having only two rooms ut their
disposal, the commission could not throw
these open TO the public Unfortunately.
All the newspapers in the country, how
ever had access, through the press assn-
Citations, to the examination of witnesses,
and the American people were served, in
respect to the proceedings of the COM
mission, exactly as they were served in all
other matters Of public interest from day
10 day"
Among the first acts Of the commission
was to ask the secretary Of war. the adju-
tant general. the quartermaster general,
the commissary general and the surgeon
general to transmit all the complaints re-
ceived by them touching the administra-
tion OF their respective departments. This
request was promptly compiled with, and
from that time forth all complaints we
forwarded to the commission Immediately
On their receipt at the war department.
In further pursuance of this preparatory
measure, the commission on September p
made public invitation through the press
60 all persons having knowledge or belief
NJ
nit their statement in writing, accom-
panied by such collateral proof or Informal
ton as might be at their disposal This
invitation met with a liberal response.
Hundreds of afidavits. letters, newspaper
clippings, editorial articles and sermons
We're received, all Of which were thor
oughly and laboriously investigated. as viii
appear in the testimony taken by the COM
mission and the various exhibits and ap-
pendices to be published hereafter.
Next. the secretary of war was requested
10 direct the various chiefs of departments
under him to furnish the commission with
q statement of the condition of their re-
spective departments ar the outbreak of
the war and the operations of the same
during the period of hostilities.
This communication recited in detail
the subjects on which information was
desired, comprising facts touching the
mobilization of troops and their organiza-
tion: the amount and kind of camp and
garrison equipage on hand at the begin
ming of the war, the amount subsequently
purchased; similar information with re-
gard to furnishing the troops with arms
ind accoutrements; information of the
volunteer regiments who were armed and
equipped in the various state camps; how
the location Of the camps Of general rem
devious was determined; fun particulars
as TO the transportation Of troops: and
account of the quantity. quality and kind
of food furnished; information as 10 the
tentage. beds linen, medicines. and all
other necessaries for the hospitals: as to
whether the medical staff was efficient:
and as 10 the conditions and operations
Of the engineer and ordnance depart
ments.
These statements. promptly and intelI-
gently made, were Of great service in the
Investigation, in the character Of text and
reference books.
Having thus arranged the preliminary
matters which seemed advisable 70 be Dc.
termined, the commission resolved thar All
charges specifically brought before *
should be made the basis Of examination
pf witnesses who had or professed TO have
knowledge Of the facts involved in such
rharges.
Il was further determined that in the
examination Of witnesses the strict rules