The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-30
MILES WAS NOT SUSTAINED.
CRITICISED FOR NOT MAKING EAR
LIER REPORTS.

Wade Court of Inquiry Report
Says the Canned and Re-
frigernted Meat Was whole
some When DeIivered-Other
Officers Criticised for Delay.
There Was Too Much Canned Meat
Furnished-The Beef Was Not Em-
balmed.
Washington, April 29.-The Wade court
of Inquiry to-day concluded its work in
connection with the allegations of Gen.
Miles, concerning the beef supplied to the
army during the war with Spain.
The report was signed at 2:SO o'clock
p. m, by every member of the board, and
soon afterward the members OF the court
left the Lemon building. where all the
meeting in the city have been held.
Col. Davis. the recorder of the court.
carried the official copy OF the findings
to the war department and In the alb
sence Of Secretary Alger. delivered it to
Acting Secretary Meiklejohn. Mr.. Meikle-
john Immediately sealed the document in
an envelope and forwarded 1t to the White
House, whence It was dispatched forth
with to the President In New York.
The report is Of about $4,000 words and
goes fully into the questions which have
been raised in connection with the army
beef. The text has not been made public
and wild not be until after the President
shall have read it. 1t will then rest with
him to say when the report shall be given
to the public.
Criticism of Gen. Miles.
The verdict however. is known to be
that the allegations which Gen. Miles
made before the war investigating com
mission are not sustained with reference
| to the refrigerated beef, although his con-
tention that the canned roats beef was
not suitable continuous ration is admit
| ted
There is direct Criticism Of Gen. Miles for
failing to promptly bring the attention of
the war department to reports made 10
him concerning bad beef, land several in
| dividuals," are censured for failing 10 OBJ
| serve the propreties of their positions as
commanding officers In this and other re-
| spects
The forecast of the report, as made by
the Associated Press on April 49, was an
| accurate one. As was then stated. the
court takes the position that the testimony
| Is Conclusive tndN DOin the refrigerated
and the canned beef were in good condition
when delivered TO the government, and
continued so until issued 10 the troops, ex-
| cept In especial Instances, when the de-
| teroration was due to accidental condi-
tons in transportation. or to the influences
of The tropical climate The report admits
the liability of refrigerated beef to taint
! quickly after removal from ice chests.
aIeat Was Not I1nbaImed.
The court finds the charges OF "embalm-
ing" the fresh beef TO have been unsub-
stantiated by the testimony and says no
chemicals were used to preserve It.
II also finds that 1t would have been
impractIcable to secure beef on the hooi
for the Cuban campaign. The finding is
likewise in opposition to the assertion on
the part of Gen. Miles that the use OF
beef was an experiment.
Much attention is given to the charges
concerning the canned roast beef. and II
is stated that the testimony proved it &c
have been wholesome and nutritious where
used In moderation and under favorable
circumstances. The position is taken that
too much of this article of food was sup.
piled to the men. and that under the cir
cumstances it was unpalatable and found
undesirable.
Was Too Much Canned Meat.
The fact is set foftD that the canned
roast beef had not been used 20 any ap-
preclable extent before the beginning oil
the war. and 1t Is therefore regarded as
practically untred ration In view of this
fact the commsasry general OF subsist
ence Is roundly criticised for the purchase
of the meat In such extensive quantities.
AS to the character of the meat foi
whoieeomeness and nutrition, the reports
of Profs Atwater and Chlttenden ar,
quoted at length, sustaining the claims II
this respect. The instructions of thu
President are followed closely in order ant
all the points indicated by him as belns
those upon which he desired that inquiry
should be made are covered.
Did Not Cause sickness.
Accordingly the court finds that the bee
was not doctored; that II was the beef o
commerce; that there was no more negiec
than was incident to the hurried prepara
tion for the war; that the inspection Will,
generally according TO regulations was no
always up 10 the requirements, and tina
the sickness of the troops was not to am
great degree oceasioned by the use OF eth
er the canned or refrigerated beef.
on the other hand II Is found that Gen
Miles himself did not report during tn,
war that the beef, either refrigerated O.
canned was unfit as a ration. Other of
tcers who gave their testimony before tn
court are found also 10 have neglected
what the court conceives TO have beer
their duty In this respect, and all ar
blamed for this failure.
But the court does not think further pro
ceedings necessary.