The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-14

Saws ~ e~Se "a 1AAOAnSS VI NUlluulSSlO0
to Investigate the Conduct
Of the War.
MAJOR GENERAL MILES is CRITICISED.
..Embalmed'' Beef Charges Held to
BE Untrue-Little Fault Found
with Alger Advise AbOIishing
Office of Commanding General.
Washington, Feb. 13.--The report
submitted to the presidentlast Wednes-
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 distract, prepared
by the secretary of the commission, was
furnished to the press for its con-
venience.
The abstract. after speaking of the or
eahlzatlon of the commission, September
"a. and the facilities afforded the press to
furnish the American people with the do
angs of the body, says that among the first
acts OF the commission was to request the
secretary of war and other officials of the
war department to transmit all the com
mtnistration Of their respective bureaus
rms request was promptly complied with.
We're Inas time Ell aoron All
partment. The commission also, through
edge or belief of any official wrong or dere-
LECTION to submit their statements in writ.
or as migSt be at their ds
posal. This invitation met with liberal
resnonse, Next the secretary of war wa y. was az
department. under him to furnish the COM.
mission with statement of the cUndt-
tho outbreak. Of the war and the operations
OF the same during the period of hostilitieD.
scope OF the Inquiry.
This communication recited in detail the
subjects on which Information ton. was de-
bilization OF troops and their orga IMITATION.
the amount and kind of camp and garri-
the war. the amount subsequently pur-
chased, similar information with regard
to furnishing the troops with arms and &C.
the volunteer regiments were armed and
equipped in the various state camps, how
the location of the camp of general rendez-
yous was determined, full particulars as to
thu transportation of troops. an account of
the quantity, quality and kind Of food fur
ntshed, information as to the tentage, beds.
linen, medicines and all other necessaries
Tor the hospitals as to whether the medical
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 t, there has +, been no evi-
ed with the war department has dishon-
estly received q dollar. We have made
persistent efforts to secure the attendance
of persons to whose names rumor had at
tached an allegation that they knew of cor
Of he 5fate
ments attributed to them or have main
tanned silence when invited to tell what
Before proceeding to specific descrip-
tion Of the conduct and management of the
.sestions touching certain matters S which hIi
came under consideration as a logical con-
sequence Of the inquiry pursued by the
dee In time Of war ali retired officers Of the
GERS. the commission found that ali " voiu iii
teer commands officered by men of milf
taFy experience nee. and training Jared much
The soldiers were more effectively cared
for. ENJOYED better health and were better
mends for the future strict examination
into the qualifications of all officers APP
to hs or
ton for Inexperienced officers taken from
civilian life to meet the emergency created
by the war is highly commended.
Conditions At Opening of the War.
The report now proceeds to take up the
subjects In their regular order. bpgrlninp
with the army. "oa the first day e 81 April
as ana @ S ,as
declared April q. 1898. On May 81 125,oO0
service. In = August. 1898, the regular army
numbered $3.50, the volunteer army, 2o7,-
pa. total OF 263,6 C9. These figures of them
selves indicate that an immense work was
thrown upon the war department. After
ss years of peace; during great At d part OF
clothe. feed and equip more than 25O,Ooo
One Lesson Taught.
A Recommendation looking to the future
by the war is that the country should here
after be In a better state of preparation for
s'fwaE,. Suggestions, have been made that
larEh. supplies of all the material not liable
to deterioration should be kept on hand
to be continuously issued and renewed so
able. Especially should this be the case
with such supplies which cannot be rapidly
obtained in open market
A Significant Suggestion.
Perhaps the. most significant utterance
In the Whole document, SO far as concerns
the discipline and efficiency of the army
comes next. It says that for many years
the war department has produced friction
for which, in the interest of the service, a
remedy, II possible. should be applied. The
constitution makes the president the COM
mand Ter IN chief OF the army. and he can
person. The president selects his ,secre-
tary Of war, who has his confidence. and
who is his confidential adviser. The com
such by the president After Quoting the he,
duties OF the Commanding general, the
report says: 1.-THE president must have
the same power of selection of his genera!
In chief as he has of his secretary of war