The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-08-04
REPLIES TO CRITICS.
zIr. AIger Makes a Statement Re
garding His OmeiaI Acts.
Tells How the Big Volunteer Army for the
spanish War was Equipped. and
says Every Dollar ApPrOpIa-
ted was Accounted For.

Washington, Aug R-One Of the last
official acts Of Secretary Alger, who to-
day FeIinquished his portfolio. was to
prepare a statement covering several
matters regarding the conduct Of the
war which have been the subject Of crit
icism IN the public press, particularly
with reference to the appointment Of
star officers IN the volunteer army.
The statement follows:
am led 70 make the following statements on
account OF the many criticisms which have
been made By the public press and especially
on account Of a recent article which appeared
in the London Times containing assertions
which have no foundation in truth At the
commencement Of the war with Spain and for
several years prior TO that time the regular
arm. consisted Of only Z5.O0O men. with the
minimum number Of officers prescribed by law
TIE situation wiz be partially appreciated
when II IS remembered that, within 50 days
from the declaration Of war. the strength OF the
army was increased to 5000 and everything
for the equipment OF this great force, including
clothing. tents, transportation, medical sup
plies, camps and camp eqUipage and al that
pertains 70 equipping an army for service had
70 be manufactured transported and distrib-
uted for use.
The returns Of the volunteer army show that
In August, 1898, there were Pr 34f enlisted men
ana SIS officers in those regiments This,
with the regular army recruited up 70 the war
" Officers and men The volunteer officers ap-
pointed BY the president number, all told ,O32-
Of this number AL we're taken from the regular
army and 59l from civil life The scarcity Of
regimental officers IN the regular service, owing
70 appointments IN the volunteers, special
recruiting ana mastering details, had so
reduced their number that to have
taken larger number for service with
the volunteers would have seriously impaired
the efficiency Of the regular regiments- For q
little over 900 appointments made by the pres
ident- the number Of applications was over
scotland each application was accompanied by a
certificate OF his ability, and in most instances
the military service either n the re zular army
or q state organization, and not fnfreduentlv in
both These certificates showed that each one
was as vel qualified for the position he sought
and 70 which he was appointed Is could be pos
sible Tor men IN civil life in this country OF
the number appointed there were, for instance,
Is major generals, Of whom 70 were taken from
the regular army and seven from civil life. OF
these seven all but one were graduates OF West
Point military academy, and all had distin-
gulshed themselves in command during the
civil var OF brigadier generals there were IO2
appointed S. from the regular army and 81
from civil life. These from civil life had All
seen service during the civil war or on our west
ern frontier, and al had proven themselves
competent TO command
It has been stated and repeated many times
that the secretary OF war made these appoint
meuts7 when the truth is that very few were
caused the entire list, with the recommends
lions, 20 be compiled and placed before the
president for his selection would be only too
glad 70 have had the honor 60 have made these
appointments No better. no more loyal OF
patriotic set OF men as q whole, ever served
their country and their appoint meuts we're q
credit, not only 20 the appointing power but to
the country they served There were eIcep-
tons. but that could not have bee a foreseen-
In every walk Of life men are found who cannot
carry out satisfactorily the work they have IN
dertazen.
Criticisms as to the amounts and methods Of
expenditures which could imply the wrong or
careless use OF money we're also made b. the
London Times This charge is false So far as
the conduct Of the service was concerned, no
person with any knowledge Of the facts can
ever charge tTuthfuIIy, and no one can ever
show, thats dollar was miSapprOpriated, stolen
or embezzleds out Of the hundreds OF millions OF
dollars that were expended The records are
an open book, and VIII be glad to have them
rigidly examined, and ask my successor to open
those accounts 20 the country whenever prop
cry called for. in order that the entire truth
may be known
R A ALGER, Secretary Of War.
Washington, July 81. 1929.