Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-08
LIEUT.. O'BRlEN'S RECALL
Rumors That It is Due to Criticisms of the
Japanese.
A Story That is Not Believed mt the
War Department - His Conn
ments on the War.

Lieut. NJ. ]. O'Brien of the fifth infantry.
who was sent to the orient to observe the
military operations of the japanese and
Chinese forces during the late "onpleasant-
ness" has been ordered by cable to come
home without further delay. His recall
has given rise to several rumors, one OF
which is CT a sensational character, being
that he has made himself obnoxious to the
Japanese authorities by his comments on
their methods of warfare.
Lieut. OBrien has made number of re-
ports to the United States authorities as a
result of his observations. several of which
have come to the knowledge of the Japan
csc authorities. 1t is said they did not
relish some of the comments made by the
American officer. and that they took occa-
sion to let the diplomatic representative of
this government in Japan know it.
Lieut.. O'Brien's Criticisms.
A letter written by Lieut.. OBrien to
United States Minister Dun in regard 10
the Port Arthur affair is said to be a cause
OF complaint Oh the part of the Japanese.
1t was personal letter descriptive of the
scenes following the capture of the Chinese
stronghold. and in some unexplained way
came to the knowledge of the Japanese.
In this letter Lieut. O'Brien said:
AS to the unfortunate circumstances at
Pert Arthur. l can only speak of what l
saw of it, of course: but l am sorry 10 say
that even that little is such as to lay the
army open to the most severe censure. 1
have seen myself a number of cases of the
killing of men VINO not only could have
been made prisoners without resistance,
but who were plainly unarmed and in a
position of most humble surrender. l have
also seen number of bodies of men whose
hands were tied behind their backs. 1 have
seen bodies very much mutilated and bear
ing wounds indicating that they were
killed with the bayonet. when l know be-
yond question that where they lay there
was no resistance. 1 have seen these
things, not as a result of going around for
ordinary course of my observation of the
battle and of trips to the forts and main
points of interest"
Have Heard of No Complaints.
Adjt. Gen. Ruggles and other officials of
the War Department say that Lieut.
O'Brien has been acting under Instructions
of the State Department. and SO far as
they are aware. has acquitted himself with
credit Gen. RUggles said he had not heard
of any complaint against his work on the
part of the Japanese authorities. So far
as he knew. Lieut.. OBrie1 had been re-
called simply because the war between
China and Japan was at an end, and there
was no further occasion for his remaining
there. He had finished his duties in China
and Japan and was coming home to COM
plete his reports. Gen. RuggleS said Lieut..
the War Department, and will be permit
ted to complete his final report in this
city before rejoining his regiment. He Is
one Of the brightest young officers III the
army, and since his graduation at the Milf
tary Academy, in 1885, he has been at
tached to the fifth infantry. He is a ma
tive of Massachusetts,. and was appointed
to the army from that state in 1881.