The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-02-15
The War Boards
Report Completed.
CHARGES OF MILES FIND
NO CREDENCE.
Commission Severely Crit
clses His Statements.

Washington, Feb S.-Tbe war
investigating commission has now
completed its labors az d it's report will
be in the hands of the president to-
morrow.
The report Of the commission is
vouminous. document OF $50 printed
pages. The report makes an important
feature of the beef issue and d:smisses
as 3 general proposition the charges
that have been made against the beef
furnished the army. I. finds, it is
understood, that most of the beef vas
such as could be properly furnished
as an emergency ration. pointing out
that the evidence showed it never was
intended to be anything but an
emergency ratien. l. says there we're
only two witnesses who really testified
against the beef, Gen. Miles and Maj.
Daily the chief surgeon Who made the
report, regarded ss the most sensational,
forwarded to the commission by Gen.
Miles.
AS to the test;money of these two
witnesses the commission, it is under..
stood, goes 90 to point ous the mass Ct
evidence submitted to the contrary as
ofsetting this testimony. AS TO such
of the canned beef as was found to be
Objectionable the commission points out
the effect of the tropical climate in
producing liquefactiou Of the fat in the
meat ADD the consequent: rendering of
the contents uopaiatable. Most Of the
beef, though, is found to have been
satisfactory for emergency use, where
fresh beef or beef on the hoof could oot
be procured The structures of Gen.
Miles made public on the beef and his
public expressions 10 other ways, it is.
understood. are subjected to a aeyere
criticism. TIE methods aud manner Of
loading the transports in Gen. Skaters
Cuban expedition are also discussed and
responsibility placed for the results.
The report finds .bas the statements
of chemical treatment made BY Gen.
Miles oO the authority Of Major DAILY
are cot borne oct by the chemicalexperts,
who we're also placed on the stand. 1t
quotes from Major DaIy's testimony,
aod then takes up the testimony of
Chemists Clarke of the geological
survey sud B;geiow of the agricultural
department.. who examined analyses OF
the beef submitted aud 6ads tha. as
chemical expert Major Daily is not
supported by other chemical authorities
apd that. therefore. his testimony IS
regarded as not worthy Of credeuce.
There are also said to be esomerecommend.
atoms as to the organization Of certain
branches of the army, but, it is stated,
the recommendations Are not radical.
As to the administration and conduct
of the war the conclusions of the COM
missiop are understood to be that every
thing possible vas doue by the depart
nent 10 the limited tine that it had at,
it's command in making its preparations
for the war. aud the report says that
the conduct CT the war rot culy worked
out 10 sbs eod successfully. but III such
a wa5 as to be worthy of great COM
mediation
The report says that tie evidence be-
foee the cor mission shows that Secre
;ary Alge. exercised proper diligence
and supervision, and that bis scbordl.
Gates also were efficient, experienced
aud faithful The commission is unit
CD It's report, aud there is 30 minority
report.
At inc outset the commission divided
/ Itself oso sub.ooma a,issees for sae se2a.
rase consideration CT desig Gated branch
es cf the main subject of ioqairy.
These sub.rcpor,s will De ae5ed TO the
prlncipal statement of concluslo2s band
&c 10 The chief executive.