The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-02-18
MILES WAS AT FAULT.
The War Board Criticises the Com
manding General.
Declares His story Of Embaimed beef
without Foundation, and Gem
sures Him In "a Mild Way-An
Outline of Its Findings.


day by the commission appointed by
him TO investigate the conduct of the
war department in the war with Spain
was made public Sunday. The report
Is unanimous one, all the members
OF the commission having signed it ex-
cept Col. Sexton, whose death occurred
February4. The report is voluminous
document, containing about $4,000
words, and an official abstract, prepared
by the secretary of the commission. was
furnished TO the press for its con-
venience.
The abstract, after speaking OF the or
ganization OF the commission. September
=. and the facilities afforded the press 10
furnish the American people with the do
fngs OF the body. says that among the first
secretary OF war and other officiais OF the
war department TO transmit all the COM
plants received by them touching the adj
ministrauon OF their respective bureaus.
This request was promptly complied with.
and from that time forth all complaints
were forwarded TO the commission imme-
partment The commission also. through
the press. invited all persons having knowl-
edge or belief OF any official wrong or dere-
liction to submit their statements In writ
ing. accompanied by such collateral proof
posai This invitation met with a liberal
response. Next. the secretary OF war was
requested 10 direct the various chiefs OF
department. under him TO furnish the com
mission with a statement OF the condi-
ton or their respective departments AT
the outbreak Of the war and the operations
OF the same during the period OF hostilities.
scope of the Inquiry.
This communication recited in detail the
subjects on which information was de-
sired. comprising acts touching the mo-
the amount MOI and Kind OF camp and garri.
son equipags on hand at the beginning or
the war, the amount subsequently, pur-
chased, similar Information with regard
10 furnishing the troops with arms and ac-
~ccutrcments, Information as 10 whlch OK
the volunteer regiments were armed and
equipped in the various state camps, how
the location OF the camp OF general rendez-
vous was determined, full particulars as 20
the quantity quality and kind OF food fur
nshed, information as TO the tcntaRe, beds,
nen ipeuieines ana az o,her ne ,ssdica1
stan was efficient. and as TO the conditions
and operations OF the engineer and ord
nance departments.
No Evidence OF Dishonesty.
ut may be said now. at the beginning OF
this report. that there has been no evil
dence before US that anyone In or connect
ed with the war department. has dishon-
estly received a dollar. we have made
persistent efforts TO secure the attendance
OF persons 10 whose names rumor had at
tached an allegation that they knew OF cor
ruption or officials In the war department.
but these men have either denied the state
tanned silence when invited to tell what
they knew"
Before proceeding to specific deseerIp.
war, the report gives comments and sug-
sgestions touching. certain matters which
came under consideration as a logical con-
sequence OF the inquiry pursued by the
commission. IL recommends that the pres
ident be authorized TO call into active sery.
ice I'm time OF war all retired officers or the
army. In the matter OF regimental OFF,
GERS. the commission found that all volun-
tary experience and training Jared much
better than those otficered by amateurs.
he soldiers were were more ene 6 h eareq
fed and clothed, The commission recon-
mends for the future a strict examination
Into the qualifications OF all officers APP
pointed TO the army, regular or volunteer.
The establishment OF schools OF instruc-
civilian life TO meet the emergency created
by the war In highly commended.
Conditions mt Opening of the War.
The report now proceeds TO take up the
subjects In their regular order. beginning
1898 the strength OF the army was 3.1iS OH
GERS and 26,00 enlisted men, a total OF 2s,-
declared April 2i, 1888 on May 81 $4,000
volunteers had been mustered into the
service. In August. 1898, the regular army
numbered 81, 3G5, the volunteer army 207,
2s4, a total of 263 600. These figures OF them
selves Indicate that an immense work was
thrown upon the war department After
SO years OF peace, during great part OF
which the army did not exceed 20 900 men,
* suddenly. became necessary TO arm n1,
ciothe, feed and equip more than 100000
How that duty was discharged Will appear
in detail In subsequent parts OF this report
The sudden emergency which called our
people to arms after an interval OF half a
century OF peace with all foreign powers
was met by the war departm,,e , Win eo ear
the country unprepared with any large
stock of arms, ammunition, clothing, sup
piles and equipments. That they were duly
provided. and that the numerous demands
on the Industries OF our people were met
90 promptly, VII remain one OF the mar
one Lesson Taught.
A recommendation looking to the future
then follows: "One OF the lessons taught
by the war is that the country should here
after be In better state OF preparat ion for
war. Suggestions have been made that
large supplies OF all the material not liable
TO be continuously Issued and renewed, so
that In any emergency they might be avail
with such supplies which cannot be rapidly
obtained In open market.
A Significant Suggestion.
Perhaps the most significant utterance
the discipline and efficiency OF the army,
comes next IL says that for many years
the war department has produced friction.
for which, In the interest OF tina service, "a
remedy. II possible should be applied. The
mander in chief OF the army, and ne can
not transfer that authority 10 any other
person. The president selects his sCcre-
tary OF war. who has his confidence, and
who Is his confidential adviser. The com
manding general ts assigned to duty az
such by the president. After quoting the
duties OF the .commanding general. the
the same power OF selection OF his general
IN chief an he has OF his secretary OF war:
without this there can be no guaranty that
he Will give or that the secretary OF war
will place In the general IN chief that cen
ndencc which ia necessary to perfect har-
mony. Neither the president nor the sec.
rotary OF war should have w. the command
OF the army an officer who Is not working
In harmony with him..
The Secretary OF War.
The report now takes ur the war depart
ment and It's various chiefs OF subdivisions,
beginning with the secretary OF war. THE
records OF the war deDax tment, which have
been laid before us, show that tho score
tary OF war extended 20 all chiefs OF bu.
seaus cordial and fun ndpport. and nromnt.
~ responded 10 every propcr demand made
upon him by comma nding officers No
testimony has been presented showing In.
tentlonal neglect OF duty nor any attempt
- -. -.