River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-05-11
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Result of the Investigations of the
Court of Inquiry.
Charges of Chemical Treatment Of
Refrigerated Beef Not Estnb-
lIshed-Miles, Eagan and
Maus Censured.

Washington, May Shy direction of
the president, who approves the finding,
Acting Secretary of War Meiklejohn
has made public the report and findings
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.
Its 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 unsutability for food
as used on the transports and 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 un-
fit; censure of the commssary general
Chen Gen. Eagan) for the too extensive
purchase of the canned beef as an un-
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 DC taken III the pISniiSeS.
Oppose Further Proceedings.
The conclusion of the court adverse to
further proceedings based upon the
charges is as follows: 1T 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 prophecies
which dignity high military command. but
the court is of the opinion that the mere
A.. 81 1T raf ha
developed meets the ends OF discipline. and
that the interests of the service will be best
subserved If 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 or the ofil-
GERS commanding corps, divisions, brigaues
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-
Rted beef was embalmed or was unflt Tor
issue to troops 1t also finds that he COM
mitted an error in that, having beliet or
knowledge, as claimed, that the food was
unfit, that it caused sickness and distress;
that some of 1t 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 Eagan.
The report places the quantity of canned
roast beef purchased for the war by the
commissary department at 6,S47.l4 pounds,
including $4,000 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 deep sense of the
responsibilities devolving upon 1t has la
bored zealously to bring out the truth and
believes that 1t has fully covered all the
matters referred to ii 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 ]. +. Wade,
major general, United States volunteers,
president, and George Il. 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.
Muas Uhefhar 10 had