The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-14
REPORT IS MADE PUBLIC
Abstract of Findings of Commission
to Investigate the Conduct
Of the War.
MAJOR GENERAL MILES is CRITICISED.


"Emballned'' Beef Charges Held to
BE Untrue-I.ittle Fault Found
with Alger Abo1ishins
Ohice of Commanding General.
Washington, Feb. 13.-The report
submitted to the president last Wednes-
day by the commission appointed by
him to investigate the conduct of the
war department. in the war with Spain
was made public Sunday. The report
is unanimous one, all the members
of the commission having signed it ex-
cept Col. Sexton, whose death occurred
February4. 4. The report is avoluminous
document. containing about $4,000
words. and an official stract, prepared
by the secretary of the commission, was
furnished to the press for its con-
venience.
The abstract. after speaking of the or
ganization of the commission, September
"a. and the facilities afforded the press to
furnish the American people with the do.
angs OF the body, says that among the first
acts OF the commission was to request the
secretary of war and other officials of the
war department TO transmit all the com
plants received by them touching the adj
mlntStratton OF their respective bureaus.
and from that time forth all complaints
were forwarded to the commission imme-
nastsy on the their receipt at the ds
the press, invited all persons having knowl-
edge or belief of any official wrong or dere-
ing, accompaned % % s BY SUCH eolateral al proof
or Information as might be at their dis.
posal. This Invitation met with liberal
reasssted IL dinest IL the he, various All IS chiefs al
department. under him to furnish the COM
mission with 9 statement OF the condi-
the outbreak Of the war and the operations
Of the same during the period of hostilities.
Scope Of the Inquiry.
This communication recited in detail the
subjects on which information was de-
sired, comprising acts touching the mo-
biliza tton of troops and their organization.
the amount and kind of camp and garri-
the war, the amount subsequently pur-
chased, similar information with regard
to furnishing the troops with arms and ac-
coutrements, information as to which OF
the volunteer regiments We're armed and
equipped In the various state camps, how
vous was determined, full particulars as to
the transportation of troops. an account of
the quantity, quality and kind of food fur
linen, medicines and all other necessaries
for the hospitals, as to whether the medical
STAFF was efficient, and as to the conditions
nance departments.
No Evidence of Dishonexty.
''It may be said now. at the beginning of
this report, that there has been no evil
'dence before us that anyone in or connect
estly received a dollar. We have made
persistent efforts to secure the attendance
cached an allegation that they knew Of cor
ruption Of officials in the war department,
but these men have either denied the state
sained silence when invited to tell what
they knew"
sfSr e the 10 sDss
war. the report gives comments and sug-
,gestions touching certain matters which
sequence OF the inquiry pursued by the
commission. It recommends that the pres
ident be authorized to call into active serv-
GERS. the commission found that ali voinn-
ess enS y nsn Of
better than those ofiicered by amateurs.
The soldiers were more effectively cared
fed and clothed. The commission recon-
mends for the future strict examination
into the qualifications of all officers ap-
pointed to the army. regular or volunteer.
The stablishment of schools of instruc-
tion for inexperienced officers taken from
civilian life to meet the emergency created
by the war is highly commended.
Conditions at Opening of the War.
The report now proceeds to take up the
%ith sSs ,a the army g the rst day q SpT
esTs s s and ss ansteS Hs men
1888. War with the kingdom. of Spain was
declared April q. 1898. On May 81 5,0Ot
volunteers had been mustered into the
service. In August. 1898. the regular army
numbered 56365, the volunteer army 207,-
PA. total OF 263.6C9. These figures of them
selves indicate that an immense work was
thrown upon the war department. After
-33 years of peace. during great part OF
which the army did not exceed 26, 900 men,
1T suddenly, became necessary to arm
clOthe, feed and equip more than $4,000
One Lesson Taught.
A recommendation looking to the future
then follows: "One of the lessons taught
by the war Is that the country should here
after be In better state OF preparation fol
silwar; Suggestions have been made that
larBh, supplies of all the material not liza BILE
to deterioration should be kept on hand
to be continuously issued and renewed, sc
that in any emergency , they might be avail
with such supplies which cannot be rapidly
obtained in open market
SignifcAn Sssg,sestion.
Perhaps the most significant utterance
In the Whole document, SO far as concerns
comes next. 1t says that for many years
the divided authority and responsibility ir
the war department has produced friction
remedy. il possible. should be applied. The
constitution makes the president the com
mander in chief of the army. and he can.
person. The president selects his .secre e.
tacy Of war, who has his confidence. and
who 10 his confidential adviser. The com.
aaeS Sy e zter S auosayy y
duties OF the Commanding general. the
report says: The president must 'have
I'm chief as he has of his secretary of war