New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-13
outbreak OF the war and the operations OF the same
a,,.,n, ,i,. noriod Of hOStitieS

out break OF the war and the operations o. ''e sam"
during the period OF hostihties
This communication rected in detail the subjects
on which informa ton desired. comprising Idcts
touching The mobilization OF troops and their or
eanization; the amount and Kind or camp anu eHl.
ssison eouipage on hand at the beginning OF the
war and the amount subsequently, purchased; SIM
liar information with regard 10 iu''i,sii6 ION
troops with arms and dccOutreinenls' nloI hlaa'"u
as 10 which of the volunteer regiments were 81
and equipped In the various state camps, no" w
location OF the camps OF general rendezvous va
determined: fun particulars as to the transport
ton Of troops: an account OF me quanF, ~" ne
and kind Of food furnished Information as 10 ..e
tentage beds linen. medicines ana all DINER
sares for the hospitals as to whether ndit e and
staff efficient and as TO me H
operations of the Engineer and ordnance u'P''
ments
These statements, promptly and lnie'leeh''I
made were OF great service in the Investigation u
the character of text and reference BOOKS
BASIS OF EXAMINATION
Having thus arranged the preliminary matters
which Seemed advisable to he determined, The
Commission resolved that all charges speclIisSan1G
examination OF witnesses who had, or protested 10
have knowledge % the facts lnV2N ,, III S1 tI
examination of witnesses the strict rules OF eEl.
dence applied in legal proceedings shouid T h e
lowed; .., ,,,, r,,,os ot evidence
have been followed We have not hesitaied to reiaa
their application when thought advisable D ~,
our sessions We examined 1875 witnesses Al q, Oi
ciined 70 take the oath The chief examina tion
was conducted by the member Designate I"r 'h i
purpose. but each witness was interrordteu u.
every member of the Commission who desired 10
do so. - ,,.o. MOI. a
arrive at the facts touching the conduct or ihc
war. and effort was spared by US to reaSh VA VA
result We have examined the Secretary or WAL
the commanding general heads Of departments
officers Of corps divisions brigades regheniis %.,.
companies, non-commissioned ofhceTs ana p'iind.r5
nurses and persons from many employmehts u, p,i IL
vate life No man or woman VINO mas s,ate ocS,ne
the subject Of our inquiry TO communicate mas
All the members OF the Commission have, been
engaged in taking testimony. II has happened mat
nesses at four different places at the same UNI fL
Testimony has been taken in washington J ~,
sonvile. Fla Fort Mcpherson, Georgia, Anhston'
Ala; Chattanooga Knoxville. Tenn, keNlhS, ION
Ky; Chicago. Cincinnati, Detroit. Harrisburg Nc%
nandina Fla The Commission visited in person
most OF the old camps-Jacksonvine' Wnic ~ he
camps at Tampa Fernandna and camp Ihomas :
the camps at Admission where the fnSt ~, ~
where the Second and Third divisions and cavalry
Division of the Fourth Corps We're iocarfu Yarns
located Lexington, where the hehuqual 'enS
of the First Division Of the First Corps Vas Sen, en-
was encamped. As a rule the inspection was not
only of camps. but of troops and sup2h,ss' ana
much valuable information was obtained 10y con-
tact with officers and enlisted men. ,.., .,,,,o
At al of these places we nave ersor 70 come
before us and testify who could throw any nsh
on the conduct Of the War Department IN any OIL
its branches
HONESTY or WAR OFFICIALS.
ANY charge of corruption or intimation of fraud
or bribery in connection with the letting oil any
contract-even hint Of wrongdoing-has been
1t may be said now at the beginning Of this re-
port. that there has been no eydenGe before US
partment has dishonesty received dollar. We
have made persistent efforts to secure the attend
ance of persons whose names rumor had at
"a }scneG an an b ar pepaTment but these men
haR-a ait her
them or have maintained silence when invited 10
tell what they knew.
Before proceeding to specific description Of the
conduct and management Of the war the report
gives comments and suggestions touching certain
matters which came under consideration as logi-
cal consequence Of the inquiry pursued by the
Commission. Referring to the question Of retired
officers the report says
Under existing laws the officers Of the Army
We have had before US many suggestions maze ny
perience and distinction. that this law should be
So amended as to give 10 the Prcsden; the right
10 call into active service any retired oHHtd uuif
the time OF This right exists AS to the retred
officers Of the Navy, and II seems 10 us thtre i
no reason why it should not he extended 10 embrace
1t does not appear reasonable that an arbitrary
law should prevent. during the existence OF wal ;
the Of experienced men merely on account ..
their age We think il would be wise 10 make IL
discretionary with the President 10 use me 9i
war and not trench on the active organization 'h"'
M lie needed
During the recent war many posltolS We ,''r,
by the appointment of civilians 10 when rffsi I,"
officers could have brought professional training,
valuable knowledge and large experience
IN the matter Of regimcntai officers the Com
mission found that an counter commands
oficered by men Of military experience and train
ing Jared much better than those oihcer'd by
amateurs. The soldiers were more effectively cared
for enjoyed better health and were better fed and
clothed
DEPARTMENTAL REFORM URGED.
The Commission recommends for the future a
strict examination into the qualifications OF all
officers appointed TO the Army Regular or vol
unteer. The establishment of schools OF instruction
for inexperienced officers taken from civilian life
10 meet the emergency created by the war is hSh-
~ commended number OF Regular officers as
signed to the command Of volunteer troops adopted
this expedent. and the results were emineni'y sat
isfactory. A most important criticism by the COM
mission IS follows:
Tho rou,ine work in the departments. in our
opinion IS far beyond what II necessary, and
each wear to increase it. The methods en-
Moved make il almost Impossible 10 transact bust
ness promptly The heads of all departments. offi-
OF large depots. chiefs Of stan department
10 give the time and attention to details which
should have been given to matters OF larger mo
ment 40 well-regulated concern or corporation
could transact business satisfactorily under such
regulations as govern the staff departments ana
the fact that every officer of each Of the stan de
partments holding responsible position has been
Obliged to ignore routine demonstrates the neces-
sity OF d thorough reform.
The report now proceeds TO take mp the subjects
in their regular order beginning follows.
THE ARMY
On April !. 1888 the strength of the Army was
142 officers and go enlisted men total OF 2SlS
War with the Kingdom Of Spain was declared OF
April p 1895 on May 81 125OO0 volunteers had been
mustered into the service In August. 1858. the
Regular Army numbered Is 3Gj: the volunteer army,
207 PA total OF $3.50.
These figures Of themselves indicate hat an i'm