The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-26
1t Soon Spoiled, However, and n Board
Of Investigation Ordered 1t to BE
Thrown Into the Sea.
COURT REFERRED TO REPORTS
SUBMITTED TO THE WAR DEPART.
MENT By COL. ROOSEVELT.
The Reports Incorporated in the Tes-
timony, on Motion of Major Lee,
Counsel for General Miles.

-H
NEW YORK, March 25-The army court
of inquiry investigating the charges made
by General Miles that the beef furnished
the soldiers in the Cuban and Porto Rican
campaigns was unfit for use, convened in
this city to-day. Governor Roosevelt was
the only witness. Upon his arrival Governor
Roosevelt shook hands with several MEM
bers of the court. and then took the stand.
after Colonel Davis had administered the
oath. The Governor described the organiza-
tion of the Rough Riders at San Antonio,
Tex. and told of the issuance of rations.
when was the first complaint you heard
of the rations?" asked Colonel Davis.
May 1 answer that in my own way?"
asked the Governor.
Certainly"
"Well. it was aboard ship at Tampa. saw
a mani think his name was Ash, know
he came from MISUNDERSTANDING away
can OF the so-called roast beef. asked what
was the matter, and he said he could not
eat it, told him not TO be baby, and that
he did not volunteer for a good time, and
ought to be able to eat what came.
thought no more of the matter until heard
that complaints were being made on all
sides Then / made inquiries and was told
that the roast beef was part of the regular
ration and that only the volunteers were
complaining. 1 spoke to Colonel Wood about
| it and said it was the regular ration. ate
| a mouthfu or two myself, but did not like
| it. could not eat it"
Governor Roosevelt spoke of the issue of
| rations in Cuba and said that. although he
| did not like the beef, and his men would
not eat it, he never heard any one say it
was an unfit ration
What did the meat look like?" asked Col.
| Davis
| when the cans were opened there was a
| covering of slime. 1t was unattractive. The
meat was stringy and it did not agree with
| the men who ate it."
| "Could you not eat it when served with
| onions and potatoes?'
| 4COULD HAVE EATEN HIS HAT.
II think at that time 1 could have eaten
my hat If could have had onions and po:a-
| toes. The men would have eaten anything
with fresh vegetables. They stewed the meat
| with mangoes and ate it, Some of the men
| seemed to eat the meat without difficulty or
distress, but it was not suitable for sick or
| half sick men,
Governor Roosevelt told at length of his
attempts TO obtain supplies in Cuba. He re-
| peated the statements he made to the army
investigating committee as to his attempts
| to organize a transportation train to bring
| supplies to his men from Siboney.
when did you begin receiving refriger-
| ated beef?" asked Colonel Davis.
about July %. when ashore about a
month";"
Were the supplies regular?"
Sometimes. We received them about
nocn.'
What was their condition when you re-
| ceived them?"
Their condition. as a rule, was good The
| outside was sometimes bad, but it seemed
awfully good TO us.
What was the proportion that was bad?"
Il can't exactly say, but 1 doubt if there
were more than two or three issues when the
| larger proportion was bad"
Had you reason to believe the refriger-
ated beef was treated with chemicals before
| you received it?'
Il never tarught about ii until / returned
home. The meat seemed good to We
ate it and enjoyed it. 1t did undoubtedly
give the men diarrhoea."
bid you hear any complaint"
'Well, / heard that some OF the officers
and men thought there was something wrong
with the meat, but L have known meat, If
kept few days on hunting trip, to have
like effect. None OF Us in very good
health, and it took less to upset US than it
would have at another time"
Ibid you attribute their Ill health to the
ratons?" asked Colonel Davis.
ITO certain extent, / suppose, yes. When
we left Cuba less than 20 per cent. of the
| brigade was fit for active service
what was issued to the men on their
voyage home as travel ration?'
THE canned roast beef
ITO what extent was IL acceptable?"
1T was utterly and hopelessly unaccept-
able"
WAS any of 1t eaten?'
"Some OF it was, but it could not be eaten
by the half sick. and the well men did not
like it,.
"EMBALMED BEEF"
Major Lee was about TO ask a question,
when the Governor interrupted to say that
he wished TO speak of the talk OF the EN-
balrned beef" when we left Tampa" lie
said, two or three quarters of beef were
put aboard our ship. was told to put 1t in
the shade. j understood it was specially
treated for the tropics. 1t did rot last and a
board of investigation decided to throw it
overheard"
s'Can you remember the brands or labels
on the canned roast beef complained of.
either that issued in Cuba or at Mcntauky'
asked Major Lee.
II do not think / can. Some were Swifts
and some Armour's. 1 believe"
Governor Roosevelt said he had submit
ted reports regarding the rations through
the regular army channels in July. and
again on Sept 10. These reports were omit
ted from the published records Of the War