The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-10-10
GEN. ALGER'S BOOK IS OUT
A REVIEW OF OUR LATE WAR.
Publication of the Book Delayed ON
Account of Recent Death of Press
tdent Mckinley-He Gave Several
Prominent Mem n ScOring-General
Miles Included


New York, Oct. General Alger's
book on the Spanish-American war,
which his publishers stated has been
delayed and changed because of the
death of President Mckinley" will be
issued Thursday.
General Alger opens his book with
survey of the Cuban situation in 1893
and comments upon our unprepared.
ness for war at that time and the
splendid spectacle Of the country's re-
Spouse to the governmental ultimatum
upon Spain. He then leads the reader
through the hurried preparations for
war, the disappointment of hundreds
of volunteers. the demands of sea
coast cities and towns for immediate
protection and the savage criticism of
the military administrations plan OF
campaign and the battle with appar-
emily endless shortcomings and griev-
ances. Then follows the embarkatiOn
at Tampa, which was severely criti-
cized at the time. but which General
considered, was not q mistake.
The account of the march on San
tiago is graphically pictured.
The book takes up the round robin
signed by the general officers of Shat
ter's army while the negotiations for
surrender were pending, in which 1t
was stated that this army must move
at once or it will PERISH" from the
fevers that threaten the camp.
General Alger has no criticisms to
offer Of the road robin itself. but says
that its publication was one of the
most unfortunate and regrettable in
cidents OF the war.
General Alger reviews at length the
differences between General Skater
and Admiral Sampson, and concludes
this chapter in these words:
1T is difficult to account for Ad-
miral Simpsons attitude towards the
army during the operations before
Santiago, as well as to excuse him
for his contradictory statements subse-
quently made in his oficial report.
After the third Of July the admiral's
conduct may be due to the keen dis
appointment resulting from his nom
participation In the engagement with
Cervera's squadron. Possibly he felt
Skaters request for conference ON
the morning of July 8, although 1t was
responsible for his being out OF the
honor Of actively participating as COM
mander in chief in one of the most re-
markable victories In the annals of
naval warfare"
General Alger reviews the Miles
Eagan controversy over the alleged
furnishing of embalmed beef to the
army and tells of the appointment by
the president at his request Of the
commission to investigate the conduct
of the war department In the war with
Spain. The commission met Septem-
Der "a. 1893. he says, and up to De-
cember 81 OF that year had taken
testimony In II towns and cities. and
In many different camps. granting to
citizens, soldiers and ex-soldiers. IN
opportunity to appear for complaint
or testimony Of any kind regarding tho
conduct Of the war. Many thousands
OF soldiers were invited to give their
evidence without regard to rank or
service.
ION the 21st Of December" contin.
ues General Alger, ''the major general
commanding the army Of the United
States appeared before the commits
sion then sitting In Warrington, and
made his statements with reference TO
the canned, fresh and refrigerated beef
furnished to the army during the war.
Although the commission had been
sitting nearly three months. the charg.
o. with respect to the canned and ~
frigerated beef were now made for
the first time. and, stranger and more
inexcusable and more unsoldierly ptiIl,
during all those months. with thts pro-
tended knowledge Of facts w.,;ch. u
they cx.sted, She uld have bcen raaae
known to the secretary Of war for the
prnte:tion IT the army. General Miles
had never mentioned the subject.
| General Miles seemed to be pleased
With the notoriety which his startling
statement before the c0mmission AMI
his subsequent newspaper interview
IEave him: for. again. on the s1st %
March. 1899, In New York city. he pub
lished. through representative q the
Associated Press and Of metropoli'
tan paper additional charges. This
unmilitary and questionable method o.
rlaking in public grave and scandAlous
charges regarding brother ollcer and
the work Of his department. charges
which subsequent and careful invests
lgatiOn proved both unWarranted AMI