The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-13

| Slou' appeared before it. He refused
10 De sworn, as all other witnesses had
neen except one, who affirmed, stating
| that he would make his statements
without being sworn, and was RESPONSE
| Die Tor what he said. He proceeded,
| ana Tor the first time in the history
OF this investigation, the allegation was
made that refrigerated beet issued to
the troops had been chemically treat
| ed.
| Although DR.. DAILY swears that he
informed Gen. Miles about the first of
August, 1898, that ne suspected that
the refrigerated beef was chemically
treated, it does not appear that the
general informed the president or the
war department that an officer Of his
staff had made this discovery, nor does
1t appear that he at that time ordered
any of the officers under his command
to probe to the bottom an allegation
which, if true, concerned the health OF
275,000 soldiers of the United States. 1t
appears from the report of DR.. DAILY,
which he handed to Gen. Miles, Oct. u
last, that he then specifically stated
that the refrigerated beef furnished to
the troops, was apparently chemically
treated" 1t does not appear that when
this charge was made, October Il, IT
having been already made to him IN
August, 1898, that Gen. Miles commu-
nicated to the president or to the Sec
rotary of war, or 10 che commissary
general, the belief Or suspicion enter
tanned by him that refrigerated meat,
dangerous to health, was issued every
day to the troops, In failure 10 40
which there was derelictiol of duty.
Immediately upon hearing the teStl-
mony of DR.. DAILY on the Goth of JAM
uary, kilograms were sent to all is
suing commissaries in Cuba, Porto Rico
and at the various home camps occu-
pied by the troops, asking that sam
Piles of refrigerated beef be at once ta-
ken, placed in glass Jars, secretly sealed
and forwarded to the commission. In
response to this request, many samples
have been received and later sent to
chemists of the agricultural and inte-
rior departments for chemical exam1-
nation. The result Of the analysis has
been reported to US in 30 cases. In no
specimen examined has either boric or
salicylic acid or other deleterious
chemicals been found. In view Of the
facts above set FORTH the commission
is of the opinion that no refrigerated
beef furnished by contractors and is
sued to the troops during the war with
Spain, was subjected to or treated with
any chemicals by the contractors or
those in their employ.
There has been neither allegation nor
proof before us that boric or salicylic
or any other acid has been used in the
canned meats furnished to the troops.
A number of officers testified that the
canned beef was unpalatable. 1t is
also elected that in a tropical coun-
try. where it is subjected to intense
heat. the meat presents a repulsive APP
pearance at first.
Furthermore, it transpires that occa-
sionally an inferior article Is found.
But the records of the army prove that
canned beef has been used for many
years.
Convalescent soldiers travelling on
Through should be furnished transport
tation, sleeping berths or state rooms
and $1.50 per diem for subsistence in
lieu of rations, the soldier not to be held
accountable or chargeable for this
amount.
On the whole it might be said that
Montauk Point was an ideal place for
the isolation of troops who had been
exposed to or had yellow fever and for
the regeneration of those greatly de-
bilitated by malarial attacks Of marked
severity. The time allotted for prepara-
ton was altogether too short and as a
consequence, the camp was occupied
long before it was ready. Because Of
this and because of the great number Of
sick and conyalescents and of those on
the ground who were unconnected with
the army there was much confusion,
some lack of proper attention to mat
tiers of sanitation and to the sick, and
without doubt cases OF distress. But
after all there was much eXaggeration
in what was written and said about the
conditions at Camp Wikoff-eXaggera
lions at times Intentional, generally
the result Of unfamiliarity with the life
of the soldier and with the appearance
of a large number of sick and broken
down men brought together in limit
ed space.
Shortcomings in administration and
operation may justly be attributed in
large measure to the hurry and con-
fusion incident to the assembling of an
army of unframed officers and men, ten
times larger than before, for which no
preparations in advance had been or
could be made because Of existing rules
and regulations.
At the outbreak of the war the medi-
cal department was, in men and ma
terial, altogether unprepared to meet
the necessities of the army called out.
AS a result of the action through a
generation of contracted and contract
ing methods of administration, it was
impossible for the department to oper-
ate largely freely and without undue
regard to cost.
The nursing force during the months
| of May, June and July was neither
ample nor efficient. The demand made
upon the resources of the department in
the care of the sick and wounded was
very much greater than had been an
ticipated and consequently, in like pro-
portion these demands were imperfectly
met.
| Shortcomings in administration and
| operation may justly be attributed in
large measure to the hurry and con-
fusion incident to the assembling of an
army of unframed officers and men ten
times larger than before, for which no
preparations in advance had been or
could be made because of existing rules
and regulations.
The result of the Santiago campaign
was the complete realization of the
several objects contemplated, and with
a list of casualties, aggregating in
killed less than 25O and in wounded
| less than 1,400--losses which, in compar-
| ison with results, are less than ever
| have heretofore occurred in modern
warfare. The total deaths in battle
| from wounds and disease, from the be-
ginning to the end Of the episode, ag-
gregated less than 30O0-only a fraction
over ! per cent.
| of the affair of Las GuaSimas, the
report speaks as follows: 1t was wide
| ly heralded at the time as an ambus-
cade, and has been later characterized
as a disobedienceA of orders. 1t was
neither. AS to tthAs3former charge, it
was absolutely foundatlonless, and the
latter rests upon no sufficient evil
dence.
Although not part of the plan of
campaign and a mere incident in it,
| il was deliberately planned and au-
| thorized by Gen. Wheeler, who I'M
| lA..l.Anl1.r l,nl .nnltNnnit,. IL. l.,