The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-05-13
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Result of the Investigations of the
Court of Inquiry.
Charges of Chemical Treatment of
Refrigerated Reef Not Estab.
Mshed-Milcs, Eagan and
Maus Censured.

Washington. May S.-By direction O
! the president, who approves the finding
Acting Secretary of War Meiklejoh1
has made public the report and finding.
of the military court appointed to in
vestigate the charges made by Maj. 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 unsuitability for food
as used on the transports and as a long
continued field ration; censure of Gen.
Miles for error In failing to promptly
notify the secretary of war when he first
formed the opinion that the food was I'M
fit; censure of the commissary general
then Gen. Eagan) for the too extensive
purchase of the canned beef as an I'M
tried ration; censure of Col. Maus, of Gen.
Miles staff; the finding that the packers
were not at fault and that the meats sup
piled to the army were of the same quality
as those supplied to the trade generally,
and the recommendation that no further
proceedings be taken in the premises.
Oppose Further Proceedings.
The conclusion of the court adverse to
further proceedings based upon the
charges is as follows: ut has been devel-
oped in the course of the inquiry. as recited
IN this report, that in some instances some
individuals failed to perform the full meas
ure 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 IL 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: 1.-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 refriger-
ated beef was embalmed or was unfit for
issue TO troops. 1t also finds that he COM
mitted an error in that. having belief or
knowledge. as claimed. that the food was
unfit, that 1t caused sickness and distress;
that some of 1t was supplied under the pre-
tense of experiment: that other beef was
embalmcd. he did not Immediately report
such knowledge or belief to the secretary
of war. to the end that a proper remedy
might be promptly applied"
Rebukc for EnEan.
The report places the quantity of canned
roast beef purchased for the war by the
commissary department at G.Sl7174 pounds,
including 100000 pounds which was brought
from Liverpool and other English ports.
This amount is characterized as excessive,
and the commissary general Gen. Eagan)
is 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
devolving upon 1t has la
bored zealously to bring out the truth and
believes that 1t has fully covered all the
matters referred to 1t 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. F. Wade,
major general, United States volunteers,
president, and George b. 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 to 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
reached
Docs that mean that so far as you are
you Will let the matter rest
where the report leaves it?" asked the re-
porter.
II have nothing to say" replied Gen.
Miles.