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Show Shafter Defends Himself. Ar 11 Some corn-Washington, corn-Washington, Aug on board were not properly or ade onatelv provided for. General Stern Mf. fA A, G M. STERNBERG, burgeon General of the United States Army.) berg communicated with General Shafter on the subject, and in response to the dispatch received the following explanation. "Santiago, Aug. 21. 15I. Referring to your telegram about overcrowding the Mobile, her captain reports that, loaded as she was. going to Porto Rico, he could carry 3,000 aud could carry 2,000 comfortably; therefore did not consider a few less than 1.700 too many. The ship was careful'v inspected in-spected by a board of officers and Dr. Ives, a member of the board, states it was not overcrowded. Accomodations for officers were, however, somewhat deficient. The large number of deaths can probably be accounted for by the fact that this brigade took nearly all their sick with them; greatest great-est care has been taken in this respect. Transports have been loaded with from 200 to 300 men less than the sanm ship brought down . (Signed) Suaftku, "Major General." |