The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-05-13
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Result of the Investigations of the
Court of Inquiry.
Charges OF Chemical Treatment OF
Refrigerated Beef Not Estab-
lished-Miies, Eagan and
Maus Ccnsured.

Washington, May s.-By direction of
the president, who approves the finding,
Acting Secretary OF War Meiklejoh
has made public the report and findings
of the military court appointed to in
vestigate the charges made by Mai. Gen.
Miles, commanding the army, that the
beef supplied To the army during the
war with Spain was unfit for the use of
the troops.
It's Findings.
The more important features OF the re-
port are: The finding that the generals
allegations that the refrigerated beef was
treated with chemicals were not estab-
lished that his allegations concerning the
canned fresh or canned roast beef were
sustained as TO its unsutabillty for food
as used on the transports and as long
continued field ration. censure OF Gen.
Miles for error I'm failing 10 promptly
notify the secretary OF war when he first
formed the opinion that the food was I'M
Mt; censure OF the commissary general
(then Gen. Eagan) for the too extensive
purchase OF the canned beef as an UNI
tried ration: censure Of Col. Maus, OF Gen.
Miles stan: the finding that the packers
were not at fault and that the meats sup
piled 10 the army were OF the same quality
as those supplied 10 the trade generally.
proceedings be taken in the premises.
Oppose Further Proceedings.
The conclusion OF the court adverse to
further proceedings based upon the
charges IN as follows: 1T has been devel-
oped in the course OF the inquiry. as rec1ted
In this report, that In some instances some
individuals failed to perform the full meas
ure OF duty or to observe the prophecies
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 or discipline, and
that the interests of the service Will be best
subserved II further proceedings be not
taken"
Criticism of Miles.
There Is more or less criticism OF Gen.
Miles in various parts OF the report. Prob
ably the most direct instance Is the one
which states that beyond the criticism OF
officers found elsewhere Is the report: The
court finds that against none OF the OFF,
GERS commanding corps, divisions, brigades
and regiments and their STAFF officers
should a charge OF guilt be brought. The
court also finds that the major general
commanding the army had no sufficient
justification for alleging that the rcfriger-
ated beef was embalmed or was UNIT for
issue 10 troops. II also finds that he COM
mitted an error I'm that, having belief or
knowledge, AZ claimed, that the food was
unfit, that Il caused sickness and distress
that some OF II was supplied under the pre-
tense OF experiment. that other beef was
embalmed he did not Immediately report
such knowledge or belief TO the secretary
OF war. TO the end that proper remedy
might be promptly applied"
Rebuke for Engnn.
The report places the quantity OF canned
roast beef purchased for the war by the
commissary department at 6.H7.lH pounds,
including $50 900 pounds which was brought
n - .xNl. INVNer1 tuI NC
This amount Is characterized as excessive.
and the commlssary general Gen Eagan)
IL severely criticised In several parts OF
the document on this score.
Approved by the President.
The report closes with the following state
ment: THE court with a deep sense OF the
responsibilities deyolving upon II has la
bored zeaiously to bring out the truth and
believes that Il has fully covered all the
matters referred TO IL for investigation.
That the calling of more witnesses from the
large number suggested by the major gen.
eral commanding. including all those who
have taken part In the operations OF the
war, would only have resulted in additional
testimony on the same lines as those pur-
sued. without throwing further light upon
the questions involved"
The document is signed by j. r. Wade.
major general United States volunteers.
president. and George II. Davis, lieutenant
colonel, deputy judge advocate general. re-
corder. The findings of the court are APP
proved by the president The court Is dis
solved by order OF Adjt. Gen. corbin, acting
secretary of war.
Miles Has Nothing 90 say.
Gen. Miles, when asked whether he had
any comment TO make upon the beef report.
replied that he had read IT, But have
nothing TO say" he added. "either about
the report. the method OF testimony or the
conclusions reached"
Does that mean that 80 far as you are
concerned YOU will let the matter rest
where the report leaves IT," asked the re-
porter.
II have nothing to say" replied Gen.
Miles.
Furious Gale In Sc. Louis.
%. L - A