The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-05-10
CHARGES NOT
SUSTAINED.
Report of the Military Court
on Charges of Gen. Miles.

Washington, May by direction
of the president, Who spproves the
finding, acting Secretary of War
Meikleiohu today made public the
report and finding of the military court
appointed to investigate the charges
made BY Maj Gen. Miles, oon nmapd-
ing the army that the beef supplied to
the army during the war with Spain
was unit for the use of the troops.
The most important features Of the
report are: The doding that the
generals allegations that the refriger-
asored beef was treated with chemicals,
we're not established that bis allega.
tious concerning the canned fresh or
canned roast beef we're sustained as to
it's uusui.abilisy for food as used on the
transports aDd as long continued field
ration censure Of Gen. Miles for
"error" in failing TO promptly notify
the secretary of war when be frss
formed the opinion that the food was
uo6t censure of commissary general,
Gen. Eagan, for the too extensive
purchases of The canned beef as an
unsried ration censure Of Col. Maus,
fo Gen Miles staff :; the finding tha.
the packers were not at fault and that
the meats supplied the army were Of
the same quality as those supplied the
trade generally. and the recommends
siou tbas no further proceedings be
taken 10 the premises.
The conclusion of the court adverse
to further proceedings based upon the
charges is as follows:
.sIs has been developed in the course
of the inquiry, as recited in this report,
that IN sone instances certain indlvid
uaIs failed to perform the full measure
of duty or to observe the proprieties
which dignity high military command,
but the court is of the opinion that the
mere statement in the official report Of
the facts developed meets the ends of
discipline. and that the interests of the
service will be best subserved if
further proceeding be not taken. -
There is more or less criticisms of
Geu. Miles 10 various parts of the
report. Probably the most direct
instance is the one which states that
beyond the criticism Of officers, found
elsewhere 10 the report:
1.-The court fade that against none
Of the officers commanding corps. divi-
sions. brigsdes aud regiments and their
staff officers should a charge of guilt be
broaghs.
"Tbe court sIso 6nds that the ma jor
general commanding the army bad 30
sufficient Justification for alleging that
the refrigerated beef was enbalmed
or was uuit for issue to the. troops
I. also Guds that be committed an error
10 that, having belief or knowledge as
claimed, that the food was unit. that 1t
caused sickuess aud distress that some
Of il was supplied uuder the pretence
Of experiment that other beef vas
eubalmed, he did not Immediately
report such knowledge or belief to the
secretary OF war to the end that
proper remedy might be promptly
applied"
The ceusure CT Col. Maus, inspector
general on Gea. Miles staff is based
upon his failure 10 cali attention to
charges concerning the beef at Cblcka-
mauga contaioed 10 report of inspec
ton made by D: Cor Msjor) DAILY, oO
the 26th of October last, 10 which he
stated his belief that toe beef wss
chemically treated.
seThe silence of Col. Maus," says
the court. con so important matter as
the cbemicalized beef reported by Maj.
Ds'y aud personally known to himself,
is most remarkable. !"
The remark is also made that Gen
Miles failure to draw special attention