New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-13
REPORT OF COMMISSION.
FINDINGS on THE CONDUCT
or THE WAR MADE PUBLIC.
SHARP CRITICISM OF GENERAL MILES
AND DIR. DAILY CHANGES RECON-
MENDED IN VARIOUS BRANCHES.


Washington Feb 13-The report submitted
10 the President last Wednesday by the Com
mission appointed by him 70 investigate the con-
duct Of the War Department in the war with
Spain. was made public tonight The report 10
unanimous. all the members OF the Commission
having signed 1t except Colonel Sexton. whose
death occurred on February !. Al It's close II
Gays: 1T is with profound regret that the Com
mission reports that during its later session,
Colonel James 4. Sexton was prevented by sick
ness from being present. and on the fourth day
Of February our loved colleague closed an hon.
ored and active life"
The report is a voluminous document contain
ing about sixty-fiye thousand words and an off,
cial abstract prepared by the secretary Of the
Commission was furnished to the press for its
convenience.
That part Of the report to which the greatest
interest attaches relates 10 the investigation
into General Mess charges respecting "em-
bamed beef" The Commission says that the
testimony, with some exceptions. showed that
the refrigerated beef supplied to the Army was
pure. sound and wholesome" The Commission
censures General Miles as guilty Of derelIcton OF
duty in not having informed the President or
the Secretary OF War Immediately Of a report
made to him by Or. DAILY. OF his staff. This re-
port contained statements tending to show that
chemicals apparently used in the prepara-
tion Of beef The part Of the Commission's re-
port bearing on the beef question follows:
PRAISE FOR THE CoMMIssARY.
THE Commission has carefully investigated
the subject of the condition quality and guam
tity OF the food supplied the Army. Almost
without exception II has been shown by the tes-
tinony taken that wherever the troops were or
dered. whether 70 the various camps in the
United States or in Porto Rico Cuba and Ma
Mia, the rations prescribed by law were on the
transports and at the camps with the soldiers
so far have been able TO ascertain
there but occasion. that OF a day. In
front of Santiago. when the troops were seri-
ousy short of ratons; these had been sup
piled but thrown aside when the men went into
action; the condition OF roads and lack Of
transportation prevented prompt reissue At
times the vegetable ration not OF good
quality. the potatoes and onions being spoiled
Condemned by a Board OF Survey. such vegeta-
bles destroyed and equivalent part OF
ration issued Some trouble occurred because
such vegetables and other damaged food were
disposed of by the company without the war
rant of Board of Survey. This was done
through ignorance. their officers not knowing
what necessary to be done"
This Commission was organized Septem-
Der "a last. Up 10 December u It's members
had taken testimony in seventeen different
towns and cities and nine camps. 1t had also
received many hundred letters. communications
and newspaper clippings from persons living In
all parts Of the country Examination OF numer-
Gus officers and enlisted men had been made as
10 the quality and condition Of the meat issued
TO the troops The testimony with some eNoep-
tions showed that the refrigerated beer issued
was pure sound and wholesome
ION the 2lst day Of December last Major
General Nelson A. Miles. upon the written re-
quest Of the president of this Commission. ap-
neared before t. He refused to be sworn as all
other witnesses had been. except one, who
affirmed stating that would make his state
rnents without being sworn and was responsible
for what he said. He proceeded. and for the
first time in the history Of this investigation
the allegation was made that refrigerated beer
issued to the troops had been chemically
treated In the statement. revised by hlmselr'
General Miles said:
There was sent &c Porto Rico ""' tons OF
wbat is known as so-called refrigerated beef
which you might call embalmed beef
He proceeded 10 read communication from
DR. W. H. Daily. Major and Chief Surgeon
United States Volunteers. on his staff bearing
date Of October u, 1895, wherein Dr. Day
stated:
".In the several inspections | made IN the
various camps and troopships al Tampa JACK
sonyille. Chickamauga and Porto Rico found
the fresh beef to be apparently preserved with
secret chemicals which destroy its natural
ala heli a he
mental TO the health OF the troops
DrsAPPRovAL OF MILEss ACTION.
although DR.. DAILY swears that he informed
General Miles about August |. lS3S' that ne
suspected that the refrigerated beef was chem-
icallv treated it does not appear that the Cen
eral informed you or the War Department that
an officer Of his staff had made this discovery,
nor does It appear that he at that time ordered
any Of the officers under his command to prooe
~ the bottom an allegation which. II true con-
oarped the health of 215OO0 soldiers OF the
1.rited States II appears from the report OF
Dr Dalv which he handed 70 General Miles, on
October u last that he then specifically stated
that the refrigerated beef furnished 10 the troops
was .apparently chemically treated II does not
annear that when this charge was made on oo-
tober 2l II having been already mace 10 MI" '''
August. 1898. that General Miles communicates
70 you or the Secretary Of war, or 10 'he No'"'
r,issarv-General the belief or suspicion enter
,ained bv him that refrigerated meat dangerous
~ health was issued every day to the troops IN
failure to do which there was dereliction ct duty.
I, is true that on September 20 he had directed
that an order should be issued asking Tor re-
ports relative TO meats issued. but the oioer
specifically mentions canned fresh roast oeet
and nothing else, and 1t was the reports re-
ce,ved in answer TO this that were preseh'eo
IN abstract by the General at the time OF n's
.n,oaror,e before the Commission and since.
rNFAvoRABLE TO DR. DAILY.