The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22
Carbon Pulp for the Philippines.

Carrion Pulp for the Philippines.
II it we're the settled purpose OF the
Administration cat this time to present
some startling and obnoxious evidence Of
its contempt for American public opinion,
it could not accomplish the end more sue
cessfulIy than by resort to the exact
course it is pursuing, in the matter Of
forcing timed corned beef and tank pulp
upon our army in the Philippines.
Whether we consider this action in the
light OF party expediency, and conclude
that it is compulsory in view of campaign
contributions or look upon ii merely as
an indication of indifference to criticism,
it must be admitted that it is bold and
brazen challenge to the country 1t cannot
fail unpleasantly to recall the dark record
of the Administration in connection with
the rotten beef infamies. and the Alger
Relief Commission. 1t will excite wide
spread suspicion that such scandals are
in danger of revival. and fill every rela-
tive and friend of our soldiers serving in
the Far East with anxiety and indigna-
ton.
What reason is there for supp0sing that
the men who co-operated in the commits
sion of the crimes against our troops in
Spanish war times, and then Joined In eff
forts to smother the exposures which fol-
lowed. are any more honest or humane to-
day? Indeed, the very announcement that
the army again is to be fed on timed
'.corned beef" and roast beef" is SIMS
ter and ominous of what may be expected
ferent from what it was two years ago?
Then it was said to be composed of
filthy pulp; of the resduum in the tanks
of meat from which ninety-eight per cent
of nutriment had been extracted in the
preparation Of beef extract 1t was not
roasted in any sense. It was the
worthless waste product of a steamins
process. There were charges that diseased
carcasses of cattle dying in transit of
tuberculosis were sometimes used in the
process. These charges were smothered;
they were not disproyed-
Persons interested in return TO the
carrion pulp army ration are very likely
10 cite us to the comparatively wholesome
prepared meats in tin sold by reputable
groceTs. These do not include the pulp
preparation because it would be unsal-
able commercially. 1t will also be remem-
bered that evidence before the Alger Re
lief Commission tended 60 show that the
commercial grade of timed corned beef
was not identical with that accepted by
the Government for army use. AS we
have hitherto remarked, no doubt there
no insa oF
tion. So there were during the Spanish
war. Yet it was developed in connection
with the decayed beef scandals that one
lot of a million or more pounds of alleged
meat in tins was purchased without any
inspection whatever. What such stuff
amounted TO when it reached the soldiers
in Cuba, in Porto Rico, in the Algerian
fever camps. and on board the foul and
pestilential transports everybody able to
read and with memory already knows.
We are sincerely sorry to think that the
Secretary Of War could be brought to lend
himself to this movement. which we are
sure would never be tolerated by the
General of the Army were his advice on
the subject sought and followed. 1t is
announced that the scheme is endorsed by
Otis, a fact which of itself ought TO call
halt, Probably DENLY also favors it But
it is not the kind of thing we should have
expected the Hon Elihu Root TO allow \
very little investigation would serve to
show him that it is dangerous and unjust
to the army. If his undoubted desire to
promote the good OF the service over which
he is presumed to exercise nearly pIenary
power is not strong enough TO overcome
any campaign barrel argument involved
he should be brave and patriotic enough to
register his protest by resigning from the
Cabinet