The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-02-17
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Commission Appointed to Investi.
gate War Charges Reports.
Charges Mac by Gen. Miles Against the
Beef Are Considered Dt.proved-Many
Unavoidable Errors Discovered
Rec0mme n dations Made

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Unavoidable Errors Discovered
Recon- me NJ ations Made
Washington, Feb. I4.-The report OF
1.-THE commission appointed by the
president to investigate the conduct of
the war department in the war with
Spain" was given publicity last night
Exclusive of the testimony, the review
and the findings make book of 125
pages. The most important chapters
are those relating to canned meats"
and ''the Santiago campaign"
The secretary of war is not wholly
spared from criticism. Upon Secre-
tary Alger the commission bestows
this discriminating attentions:
The records OF the war department. which
have been laid before us. show that the secre-
tary of war extended to all chiefs Of bureaus
cordial and full support and promptly re-
sponded 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 that the secretary of
war was pecuniarily interested in contracts,
purchases and other transactions of the war
department have been thoroughly examined
and found baselessL In the judgment of the
commission there was lacking in the general
administration Of the war depar tment during
the continuance of the war with Spain that
complete grasp OF the situation which was
essential to the highest efficiency and disci-
pine Of the army
The "embalmed beef" charges are
found to have been wholly without
foundation, but inferentially Gen.
Miles comes in for severe criticism be-
cause of a misconception of his rela-
tions to the president and secretary of
war. Under the caption of authority
and responsibility" the report con.
tains the following:
For many years the divided authority and
responsibility In the war department has pro-
duced friction for which. in the interest OF tho
service. remedy If possible, should be applied
The constitution makes the president the com.
mander-n chief Of the army and he cannos
transfer that authority to any other person
The president selects his secretary OF war. who
has his confidence and who is his confidential
adviser. The commanding general is assigned
to duty as such by the president and under the
military laws of the United States his duties
are defined as follows: -.
1.-THE command exercised by the command.
ing general Of the army. not having been made
the subject of statutory regulation, Is deter
mined by the order of assignment 1t has been
habitually composed of the aggregate Of the
several territorial commands that have been
or may be created by the president The mill.
tary establishment is under orders of the com.
handing general of the army in that which
pertains to its discipline and military control
The fiscal affairs of the army are conducted by
the secretary Of war through the several STAFF
departments. All orders and instructions from
the president secretary of war relating to
military operations affecting the military
control and discipline of the army will be pro-
mulgated through the commanding general"
No part of the report will be read
with so much public interest probably
as that relating to the charges of Gen.
Miles regarding the dressed or refrig.
Grated beef. The report says:
Immediately upon hearing the testimony Of
DR.. DAILY on the 9th of January, kilograms
were sent to all issuing commtssaries in Cuba,
Porto Rico and at the various home camps oc-
cupied by troops asking that samples of re-
frigerated beef be at once taken placed in
glass jars, securely sealed and forwarded to the
commission In response to this request many
samples have been received and later sent to
the chemists of the agricultural and interior
departments for careful chemical examination
The result Of analysis has been reported to US
In 80 cases and, as will be seen by the reports
appended, in no specimen examined has either
boric or salicylic acids or other deleterious
chemicals been found In view of the facts
above set forth the commission IS Of the opin-
ion that no refrigerated beef furnished by con-
tractors and issued to the troops during the
war with Spain was subjected TO treated
in their employ.
In conclusion the resport SAYS:
The result of the Santiago campaign was the
complete realization Of the several objects con-
templated: The capture of the city with its
Notifications and munitions of war together
with immense supplies of food stuffs and am
munitfon: the surrender OF the entire province
Of Santiago de Cuba, with all the troops gar
risoning the same: the destruction by the navy
Of Admiral Cervera's feet, after its departure
from the harbor, and the general demoraliza-
tion of the Spanish forces and the discontinue
of the Spanish government and people, lead
ing almost Immediately to overtures for peace
by Spain. This was accomplished without the
loss Of a prisoner, a gun or a color, and with q
list of casualties aggregating in killed less
than 250. and in wounded less than 400-losSes
which, in comparison with results are less
than have heretofore occurred In modern war
fare.
The report also deals with the trans.
portation of troops, the medical and
other departments and makes many
suggestions.
FREEZING AND STARVING.