The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-05-01
CHARGED WITH PERJURY.
A Novel Accusation Brought Against
a Naval Officer.
LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS.
Naval Officers Declare There is No
Precedent Of Such Charge. The
Verdict of the Courtmartial
Awaited With Interest by
Military Men.
BY Southern Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, ADfll oU.-Ile court
martial of naval officer for perjury IS
. novelty in naval experience III the
United States so far as tho best memo
ries go. This, however, is tho lending
specification under which Medical In
spector Ed. Kershner, fleet surgeon of
Admiral Mendes' squadron. has been
ordered by Secretary Herbert to ap.
pear before courtmac tial nj the New
York Navyyard on Monday, May &.
1he detail of the court consists OF Kear
Admiral John G. Walker, president,
Commodore Rush Wallace. Capts.
Albert KANT, Theodore L. Kane,
Winfield Schley, Silas Casey and
Henry f. Picking, Medical Directors
Edward Bogart and Henry NJ. Wells,
Medical Inspectors Charles Ii. White
and Thomas n. Penroso and First
Lieut.. &. II. Lauchhelmer.
The first charge relates 10 q viola tion
of the naval regulations by DIR. he rsh-
per in forwarding privately to Surgeon
General Tryou, Medicnl Director Del.
aven Bloodgood, retired substitute
copies of Capt. Evans report, with
Admiral Meade's endorsement, regard
ing the failure OF the Doctor To 20 rs
ordered OH board Nova Scotlan vessel
ct Bridgetown, Barbadoos, IN response
10 Nh emergency call. These documents
~ere subsequently published in news.
papers in the United States.
The second charge is that OF scan
halous conduct to tho destruction of
good morals, and its first specification
recites that sDr. Kershner before n
court OF inquiry on the New York at
copy oil any part OF the correspondeucc
bad left his hands except second en-
dorsement OF the Admiral with the
knowledge that his sworn testimony
was false and intended TO deceive.
Naval officers declare there is no
precedent of such charge In March.
1892, Commissioner James ID. Graham,
commanding the monitors at Rich
poud, was convicted of simple false
Good. but not Of perjury.
The action of Secretary Herbert
in ordering the Alert and At
Iante 10 Nicaragua posts was
based, as stated by MIR. Herbert
yesterday, on the reports i'll the news
papers OF civil strife over the British
occupation of Corinto, but it should be
added that Hon. Warner Miller, pres.
dent OF the Nicaragua Canal Company,
WAS instrumental i'll causing such posi-.
tive steps to be taken. MIR. Miller I'm.
pressed Oh Secretary Gresham and
Secretary Herbert the danger that
existed TO the canal property in tie
event OF revolution, and no delay was
lost i'll sending ie!egraphic orders to
the naval vessels after mir. Miller had
thoroughly explained his view Of the
kltuntiou.
> In the event that the expected revo.
luton should occur and should centre
A., 60 & 81, 4
Dlue jackets will be landed from the
United States ships TO give protection
40 the property. This course Lns been
decided on and was frankly admitted
by the officials. There is no direct
3renty stipulation permitting The
United States to land troops on Mica.
raRnnn roll, although the CLAYTON
Bulwer treaty allows Great Britain and
this country to net III that regard
through mutual consent, but the priu-
ciple has been established by this Gov
ernment and has never been uues.
1loncd, that troops may be landed on
HicaraGunn territory to protect the
interests Of American citizens in the
canal property.
IL this connection 1t Is interesting TO
note ihat instructions will he sent 10
the Montgomery, which will convey the
Canal Commission from Mobile to
Greytown. to send guard with the
Commissioners when they may 20
ashore III pursuance OF their duty.
Prior to going TO tho Cabinet meeting
70 day, Secretary Gresham did not see
the Nicaragua Minister or any other
person concerned III the present
arouble ut Gorinio. Io.dav's Cabinet
meeting lasted nh hour aud half. All
she Cabinet officers we're present cX-
rept Secretary Smith. Among the
matters discnsseiswere the instructions
20 the Bering ,Sea fleet. The iustruc.
sioDs were presented by Secretary Car.
lsle. They will be telegraphed 90
Cnpt. Cooper, of the revenue cutter
Rnsh, the commander OF the patrol
feet.