New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-21
WILL KERSHNER GO FREE !
THE RUMOR THAT PRESIDENT CLEvE-
LAND WILL MITIGATE HIS SENTENCE
AROUSES INTEREST.
GOSSIP COUPLES THE EXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT
THE ADMINISTRATION TO REBUKE
ADMIRAL MEADE.
icy TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE. ]

icy TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE1
Washington Oct 20-There Is queer rumor
floating about In naval circles-a rurnor br'eNy
mentioned In The Tribune this morning-to the
effect that the President has made up his mind to
remit the sentence recently passed upon Surgeon
Kcrshner by a court-martal which sat some months
ago IN Ney-York. Gossip of this kind Is not. gen.
orally of much Importance. since the outside public
is seldom supposed to know and, as matter OF
fact very seldom does know. what the sentence Is
and therefore cannot have the least Idea as to the
significance Of remission thereof. In this case
however, two items of Information are notorious:
First-It IS known, because 1t was officially pro-
claimed at the time the court was convened, that
Surgeon Kershner tried for perjury. Secondly
II is known-that is to say, with almost absolute
certainty-that the verdict unanimous. Thus
one can get very to more or less important
truth II the verdict was unanimous 1t must have
been a verdict of dismissal; because, If 1t had been
one of acquitta there could be no question OF re-
mission The rumor referred TO IS therefore IN q
measure sensational. for 1t amounts to fairy wei.
authenticated impression that Mr.. Cleveland con-
templates restoring his position In the Navy an
officer who has been convicted of perjury ana HnAnI-
mousy recommended for dismissal by military
The history of the case be briefly recapitu-
lated: Surgeon Kershner was on duty, ro on ,ne
lying In port Barbados he received a call 10 at
tend man who lay IL on board an american mr r
spond. and was on that account reprnandsd Doth
Meade. whose flag was flying on that vessel. Ad-
mirai Meade in fact sent a very tart report to the
Nayy IN b eennTed or eherws punished
for his action The matter might not have been
pshap before not SCad OF that
had discussed the incident with no one ana nad
made no sr HIM ransped that he
written high official at washington deia,sS
of this disclosure he was tailed The
charge being conduct unbecoming an offcer ana
the Specincatons being that he had not ony broken
inn
testified under oath to the contrary. ,, .
II is well understood that Surgeon Kershner was
tried for and convicted Of perjury and 1t is an open
secret that the court was unanimous IN lis recon-
ency Hence the rumor that the President is dis
posed or has decided to remit the sentence i
that an offence which in every service in the world
Is punished with dismissal is In the way or peihs
leads TO the conjecture tina; this Indulgence has be
meath Il a very unusual and astounding motive. IN
sode-the Admirals criticism OF the Administration
course in winking at the Cornto AFFAIR ana MS nls
whiic England landed troops American soil ant
bullled poor little Nicaragua into paying an indem
members how Admiral Meade was called TO accoun
for this how he refused TO furnish report or M
private personal utterances; how he was oeSet DS
spies and nformers though TO no avail ana nov
finally the Administration took It ort or mn, nun o,
refusing the leave OF absence with PERMISSION 10 *
abroad for which he had applied -.., A..
Nearly every newspaper Of standing sustained tn
Of nactlon and completely in tho Corinto ou,rag.
had Inundated and exasperated the American an peo
| stance only served to intensity the wrath or tn
| Navy Department. and he was marked Tor specia
| dsfavor al headquarters. - - .
Now the theory naturally occurs TO every one &C
| quainted with the antecedent facts mat II kersn
| ner is TO be restored to rank ana standins atte
such a verdict on such charges. 1t must be becaus
the President regards this as an onporsunty 10
| AGAINST him or course y IS understood thot
| tremendous political and social influence has bee;
brought 10 bear In the officers favor. but the ac
remains that perjury Is an offence never under an.
| circumstances condoned in the military service o
! anv cixized nation The rumor Is therefore At
tracing grea. attention in interested circles ant
causing comment which decent minded people DO no
| like M hear There Ia still chance that the re
| bort may be unfounded. and barring that. that tn
| President may at the last moment change his mind
| I'M, rnmors Of this kind do not often become cur
| rent In Washington without some serious ground
| in fact or probability; There r. unhappily, on.
| runs the