The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-29
5000 MEN I'LL
FROM NEGLECT
AT CAMP BOWIE
MajOr.Gen. Greble Tells
Senate Committee of an
Epidemic's Havoc.
OVERCOATS CAME DEC. 23
Commander at Camp Doni-
phan. Okla, Says Troops
Are Poorly Clad.
OVERCOATS CAME DEC. %
special Despdtch TO THy Svy.

special Despdtch TO The SuH.
WAsHINGToN. Dec. 2s.--Deficient pre-
paredness in clothing and equipment was
the cause of the deaths OF United States
soldiers in large numbers from virulcnt
pneumonia at army camps and canton
ments. according to the testimony laid
before the Senate Committee on Mill
tary Affairs by two of the most dis
tinguished divisional commanders Of the
service
Major-Gen. Edwin. St John Greble of
the Thirty-siXth Division and Major.
Gen. William NJ. Wright of the Thirty.
fifth Division recited the delinquencies
OF the army supply department. which
LETT the troops under their respective
command insufficiently provided with
wearing apparel and blankets UP to the
time actual winter conditions prevailed.
II was from Gen. Greble that informa-
ton as TO the most serious condition was
obtained. Gen. Grebe has just re-
turned from the French front. He is
camp commander at For. Worth Tex.
where divisional encampment known
as Camp Bowie has been established.
command. Gen. Greble told tho commit
tee that deaths from pneumonia during
the epidemic averaged sixteen a day and
that the total deaths numbered more
than 200
The troops had been quartered twelve
to each pyramidal tent. whereas the ac-
commodations supposed To be afforded
by such shelter are for eight men.
Disease Wns Most Nirulent.
Medical officers told me that the
pneumonia was in the most virulent
form they had ever seen" said Gen.
Grcble. We had n hospital supposed
to accommodate 500 men at time. In
the course OF the epidemic there were
5000 men sent TO the hospital. or practi-
caly a third of my command" At one
| time. he said. 1900 men were crowded
into hospital built to accommodate 800
and that without a sewerage system.
After much persuasion Gen. Greble
finally permitted the reading OF a per1
sonal letter he had addressed to Major
Cen. Sharpe, Quartermaster-Cener
Senator Hitchcock read the letter, which
mad been written last September. before
Gen. Greble's departure for Europe
The m!ssive told the Quartermsster-
! General Of conditions which confronted
the DIVISION. Gen. IrcpIe tOI1 Ten
Sharpe tina, he was having lots OF trou-
bile supplying his division with tents
clothing and other necessities of the
camp. He said nc had telegraphed with
out avail and that he feared his actions
had been futile.
lie reci,ed the fact that he was COM
PEELED 10 shelter twelve men in tent
which was far in excess OF the require
ments to insure the good conduct and
good health OF his command. He feared
sickness and the spread OF all sorts o'
communicable diseases from this made
quate accommodation.
Army Lacked Even Flag.
Diverting from the quest for more
necessary equipment Gen Grebe then
reported that he was without even a
flag pole o" f,as Of larSer proportions
than the little storm flags furnishe ed
army posts for use in bad weather.
lie told Gen. Sharpe that he was en-
barrassed 10 see this tiny ensign fying
from staff which had been donated by
the For. Worth Electric Light Company
and his application to the War Depart
ment for suitable flag was met with
the suggestion that Il was not part OF a
divisional allotment. Gen. Greble com.
pla!ned that he did not like TO see
homes Of private citizens and a nearby
country club flying better bunting than
Uncle SANS own m'ii'ar! 'orces'
Gen; creme sa'n 'ha' ~ was h'sniy
desirable 10 nave ample Tues; nu' saiG
tarset pra't,se Mas p"eoeo'"s wei
uesT.e W" - 'on1a', ,,, can. ,o,.
we nau so'''e woue sua.e Nen. Wv y
Cs ,ne o'"''"'@e "' '''''N' 'u 'e"
~. ,,,. -, .,,, ,,o., os,.a Ca,
al Cha ynuprlain.
"'", :" ,,s Ca,.,,, .rsv.r.d .v.
ia ,nao, ,h.,, w. right shou,der ,rr,c
ana com. h,yorc. nr.c,icc IN, yo,
80, IN teach mon 10 kiI, the other n,er
ana vo,, can't do II with a wooder
lido
|
Man I.uready 10 Go Abroad.
!
Gen. 'irepic sa'd ne nad no assurance
when he would get nacn'he gums. WIZ
/ full equipment no SAID ne WOuld Wan'