New-York tribune., 1900-06-29
SOUTH AFRICAN ARMY SCANDALS
QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT-AN INVEST
CATION ORDERED

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT-AN INVESTI-
CATION ORDERED.
London. June 2S.-The exposures regarding the
hospitals in South Africa, which began with a
three column letter in The Times" on Monday
from w A Burdett-Coutts, Conservative mem
Der Of Parliament for Westminster detailing
the great suffering endured by soldiers owing 10
mismanagenent, led to a number of questions
in the House OF Commons to-day in response to
which the Government leader A J. BaIfour
made long statement. in the course of which
he said that far as the Government was
aware not any Of the suferings Of the sick or
wounded were due to insuftciency in the sup
plies sent out He then proceeded TO read ex-
tracts from correspondents with Lord Roberts
on the subject in which the British Command
er-in-Chief in South Africa dweIt on the diff
culties Of transport, owing to his rapid advance
He could quite understand that people imper-
fectly experienced in these matters were con-
cerned at hearing of the hardships the sick and
wounded had to undergo. He did not wish to
shrink from responsibility or any one. and
suggested that committee OF medical men and
persons Of sound common proceed 10
South Africa to investigate the charges.
Mr.. Balfour also informed the House that the
Government agreed to the appointment OF an
independent committee. suggested by Lord
Roberts. and he tomorrow would propose
nominal grant for the Army Medical Corps. so
that the House would have an opportunity to
thrash out thoroughly the matter.
The War Office later issued correspondence
with Lord Roserts regarding the charges OF Mr..
Burdett-Coutts On June 4 Lord Roberts's at
tention was called in brief kilograms to the
allegations and also to other complaints OF
general breakdown in the hospital system Two
days later he replied in part. follows:
The principal medical officer reported that the
arrangements at Kroonstad were in all respects
in good order, and Lord Methuen said they were
thoroughly satisfactory. was deeply distressed
for he sick first arrival at Kroonstad;
but it is obvious that certain amount OF suf-
fering is inseparable from the rapid advance or
a large army into an enemy's country.
On June 90 the War Office cabled Lord Rob
erts that disquieting reports regarding the hos
pitaI service were accommodating. and asked him
if anything could be done, and particularly
whether more nurses were needed.
On June % Lord Roberts replied. saying that
he did not wish to shirk responsibility to
screen the Shortcomings OF the medical corps,
and he suggested committee OF inquiry. He
said there had been abnormal number OF
sick at Bloemfontetn due to the exhausting nat
ure Of the march and the terribly unsanitary
condition Of the camp at Paardeberg. where the
only water available for drinking flowed from
the Boer camp higher UP. where the river
crowded with decomposing animals and also
with a, considerable number of wounded after
the fight on March 10.
To improvise accommodations at Bloemfon-
tein for such a number. which had become
thousand before he left that city,
easy task. said Lord Roberts. No tents were
carried and the public buildings had TO be
turned into hospitals In three months there
had been $3.50 admissions TO the hospital Of
patients suffering from enteric fever, while the
deaths numbered 1870. about 21 per cent. Lord
Roberts observed that he did not know whether
this would be abnormal rate in civil hos
pitaIs in peace times, but If the rate were alb
normal it was due to the exhausted state OF the
men. and not TO the neglect Of the medical
corps.