The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-17
M'ARTHUR'S SILENCE
WAR DEPARTMENT DOES NOT UN-
DERSTAND 1T.
FULL INFORMATION ASKED.
MAI. DAVIS DENIES THAT HE RE-
CEIVED 1000.

Col. Woodruff, Chief COmmissary.
Stands High in the Estimation of
the War Depnrtment-Yeste
Press Report Woke Up the Depart
ment and Now 1t Wants Full In
fOrmatiOn-COurtma of Lieut..
Boyer Begins at Manila To-day.
Washington. April 16-Secretary Root
to-day cabled Gen. Macarthur. asking for
additional information concerning the re-
ports of frauds in Manila. 1t is expected
that reply will be received tomorrow.
While definite instructions have not been
given Gen. Macarthur heretofore to make
searching and complete investigation,
it is understood that the requests for in
formation were of a character to imply
that the department expected such inves-
legations would be made. Nothing def
mite has been received from Gen. Near
thur about the alleged frauds. although
reference has been made to the investi-
cation in cab.egrams received,
The first dispatch on the subject from
Gen. Macarthur said that there had been
exaggeration in the press reports, but the
persistence with which the reports have
been reiterated and the news dispatch to-
day giving names and specific amounts,
have indicated to the department officials
that perhaps Gen. Macarthur was not
fully advised when he made his first re-
port. 1t can be stated that the depart
ment intends to have all the information
possible on the subject and Gen. MacAr-
thur will be expected to push the trials
and make complete report of any and
all wrong-doing.
Maj. Davis Asked to Explain.
Maj. George B. Davis. whose name is
mentioned in the dispatch from Manila
as being credited upon the books OF
Evans & Co., as having received $1,000, is
| in Washington. To an Associated Press
reporter he would say nothing when ask
ed if he wished to reply to the assertion.
He was called upon by the War Depart
ment, however, for an explanation, and
| to an officer, said that he knew nothing
! about the matter. lie was closely ques-
| toned and said that he never had any
| money from the firm of contractors men,
! Toned. had not borrowed any and could
not explain why there should have been
any cndrSer maze. Altnougn ne Is IN Inls
country on sick leave he will return tc
! Manila and if the matter is not cleared
! up when he arrives there he win demand
court of inquiry.
Evans, of the 1irm of Evans & Co., is
! known to some army officers in Wash
| irgton. Evans was in this country a
| short time ago, and may now be in New
| York, if he has not returned to Manila.
| 1t is not known whether he is an Eng
| Hshman, an American or Canadian. He
was from Niagara, though from which
| side of the river is not known.
AT the commissary department Gen.
Weston spoke of his subordinate, Col.
| Woodruff, in the highest terms He said:
Col. woodruff stands High.
"Col Woodruff always has borne the
| highest reputation in the army as a splen-
did officer and thoroughly honest man.
There might be opportunities for small
frauds in a great depot such as that al
Manila, but there would have to be col
lusion among the officers and the SER
geants in charge if frauds were carried
on to any great extent. 1t depends large
ly upon the honesty of the commissary in
charge to prevent any wrongdoing, and
he would be very likely to know if there
was anything crooked going on in a
large way
Cob Woodruff has made illusions to the
arrest of the commissary sergeant in tel
egrams 20 Gen. Wheaton. but nothing like
a report has been made by him.