We know from the reports of competent officers and from personal observation that the army is unable to move into the interior and that there are no facilities for such a move if attempted, and that it could not be attempted until too late. Moreover, the best medical authorities of the island say that with our present equipment we could not live in the interior during the rainy season without losses from malarial fever, which is almost as deadly as yellow fever.
This army must be moved at once or perish. As the army can be safely moved now the persons responsible for preventing such a move will be responsible for the unnecessary loss of many thousands of lives.
Our opinions are the result of careful personal observation, and they are also based on the unanimous opinion of our medical officers with the army, who understand the situation absolutely.
J. FORD KENT, Major-General Volunteers, Commanding First Division
Fifth Corps.
J. C. BATES, Major-General Volunteers, Commanding Provisional
Division.
ADNA R. CHAFFEE, Major-General Commanding Third Brigade, Second
Division.
SAMUEL S. SUMNER, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding First
Brigade Cavalry.
WILL LUDLOW, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding First
Brigade, Second Division.
ADELBERT AMES, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding Third
Brigade, First Division.
LEONARD WOOD, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding the City of
Santiago.