Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-01-05

ponents can. be changed only by the
president Of Che United States. II Cen
elal Miles did not NOW hat canned
fresh beef was a part Of the army ra-
tion, then he displayed an ignorance In
an important matter of his profession
that Is, to say the least, most remark.
able; IL he did know that canned beef
was a recognized part OF h ration,
then his allegation to the contrary IL
SO much more reprehensible.
THE allegations of General Miles that
the canned fresh beef was not a part OF
the army ration and issued as the pre-
tense Of an experiment were not only
contrary to fact, but were made abso-
lutely without a particle Of evidence or
excuse. Fresh canned beef was pre-
ferred Over corned canned beef be-
: cause of the fact hat the salt In the
latter produced thirst-a decided objec.
ton in a tropical country, but the
canned beef should have been used only
when cooked with vegetables and prop
erly seasoned. The only fault found
with the ration Is that Ii was u%npalata-
BILE when served without additional
cooking and without vegetables and
condiments.
Investigation by the Government.
After the charges made by General
Niles, the most expert and scientific
men In the country were therefore en-
ployed by the government to further
the investigation.
THE court OF inquiry visited several
or the packing houses. The result OF
personal examinations and of the in
~vestigations Of the experts employed
conclusively showed that there was no
foundation for the charge hat the
canned fresh beef was not a part of the
ration, or that 1t had been furnished
rs the pretense OF experiment, or that
II was the pulp from beef. In the haste
under which the Santiago expedition
left Tampa, proper provisions for cook
ing the food OF the men on the trans
ports seem to have been either neg
lected or impossible on account of the
lack OF time. General Miles arrived at
Tampa on u /, for the purpose of
rendering assistance to the command
ing general Of the Santiago expedition.
If General Miles did not look into the
question Of food for the Santiago ex-
petition he was as culpable as though
he had failed to inspect all other i'm
portant matters.
Besides finding that canned fresh
beef was unsuitable when not cooked
with vegetables, the court OF inquiry
also expressed the opinion that the pur-
chase OF Several million rations by the
commissary general, during the first
two months OF the war with Spain,
was a colossal error for which there is
no palliation.' This, of course, is a
question for judgment as between the
court of inquiry and General Eagan.
The ration was not a perishable article,
and | do not think that the expression
colossal error as applied to this pur-
chase was warranted.
Refrigerated Beef.
"Mr. Miles charges with respect to re-
frigerated beef were much more serious
than his im~putations regarding canned
beef. His allegations In substance were
that the beef furnished the army had
been artiiicially preserved by injecting
into 1t chemicals winch were Injurious to
health. that he had overwhelming proof
that this 'embalned beef had been treat
ed with chemicals. 1T Is significant TO OBJ
serve that the war investigation commits
sion says:
commission, General Miles and DR.. DAILY
are the only ones who made this charge
OF chemically treated beef. Astounding
Miles did not base his allegations upon
personal experience or submit proof In
support OF them.
'His allegations that the food furnished
the army was the cause OF much of the
sickness, seem to have been as little in
v~estigated or to have had as little war
ran: for It's utterance as the other
charges"
In conclusion ex-Secretary Alger says:
THE army had won It's battles in Cuba
and In the Philippines; Porto Rico had
peacefully come INTO our hands after q
few skirmishes, the protocol had been in
operation over four months, and even
the treaty Of peace had been signed at
Paris. Then comes the major general
commanding the army OF the United
States with his charges. While the allie
gations OF General Miles were not based
upon fact, and were conclusively dis
proved by two tribunals, unimpeachable
in their composition ana methods OF In
yestigation, the irreparable damage a
been done. A brave, honest and faith
ful officer, suffering under the lash Of
such cruel, unwarranted and unjustifled
lmputations, while eXonerated from the
heavy odium of these charges, was, be-
cause OF them, sacrificed on the altar Of
his own passion, righteous In its exist
but inexcusable in It's expression.
Besides this, a false impression had been
created throughout the country as to
tho food furnished the army. which may
never be removed. The charges OF Cen
eral Miles, twice proven false In spirit
and substance, are therefore the more
heinous In their effect. Yet the pres
ent congress-, which promoted General
Miles TO Lieutenant general, has thus far
failed to give to General Shafter the rank
OF major general to retire upon In his old
age, and this. after his magnificent cam
paign at Santiago, as well as his former
services"