Evening star., 1896-07-28
MAJOR ARMES' CASE
He Collected His Rents in Advance and is
Beyond the Courts Jurisdiction.
Can Go Where He PIeases. Except on
Sen Voyage, According to
Army Regulations.

1t was reported at the War Department
today that Major George A. Armes. who
was supposed TO be in Canada, is at Takoma
Park, Nd, just beyond the District line.
Under the army regulations, officers on the
retired list are required to notify the adju-
tant general of any change in their address
The books show that Major Armes' address
is 14o5 + street, where it has been for sew
eral years past. II he has made any change
in the matter he has not thought it neces-
sary to inform the military authorities.
So far as can be learned at the War De-
partment, there is no purpose to cooperate
with the civil courts in the proceedings
against Major Armes for failure to comply
with the orders of the District court in the
pending proceedings for divorce which have
resulted In an order for his arrest for con-
tempt and the sequestration of his estate
Ever since the former order was issued by
Judge HaSner, before whom the cause is
pending, Major Armes has been beyond the
jurisdiction of the court and II is under
stood that he has boasted that he will cir
cumvent the courts.
He Got the Money.
A day or two before the issue of The order
placing his estates ia the hands of d Sc
questrator. SO it is stated, Major Armes
met several of his tenants at the Takona
Park Hotel, by agreement and perfected
arrangements for the payment at once of
the rent OF the premises occupied by ttem
mostly suburban residences, for the re-
mainder OF the present season. In cele-
pratlon OF his success in this matter IL
Is said, he entertained his tenants with a
fine dinLer at his hotel.
Having thus secured a 3oodly supply of
ready funds and at the same time Eayinp
apparently forestalled the execution of the
ha
or his rents Tor several months to come il
Is understood that the major has decided
to return to the neighborhood of th, St.
Lawrence for season Of fishing and hunt
ing.
The Army Regulations.
Although retired officers dre amenable to
the articles Of war and the regulations of
the army, there is 40 restriction on their
mo| ements, except that they cannot go
beyond sea" without the permission of the
secretary of War. Consequently SO far as
the military Authorities are concerned.
Major Armes is perfectly free to go any
where he pleases on the American conti-
heht- Inc army regulation was intended
10 require permission for army officers 10
iei'e the jurisdiction of the United States
out under Its terms beyond :ea" specific
permission Is unnecessary for a visit to
the neiShboring countries of Mexico or
aanada or any place on the western con-
.'eht not entaillng voyage by sea- 1t
mus appears that Major Armes can go To
canada and stay as long as he likes. pro-
vldeo. however. he is not ordered to re-
turn by the President of the United States
AS already stated, Major Armes is amen
able to the articles of war and the army
regulations, and ii is held at the War De-
partment that he is at all times subject TO
the orders of the President of the United
states as commander by virtue of his au-
thorlty as commander-ln-chief of the army
and navy.
What the President Can Do.
Speaking of the case today, a prominent
omcer OF the army said that while Ames
might defy the civil courts SO long as he
Kept away from the District, it was clearly
WITHIN the power of the President to order
MIN to Washington at any time in the in
terest OF public business even if the uur
pose OF the order was merely to place him
WITHIN the jurisdiction of the civil courts
Dlsobedlence of such an order the speaker
said, would render the offender liable 10
dismissal from the service Court-martiaI
proceedings would necessarily form part
OF such a transaction
1T may be stated on authority. however
that the President is not at all likely to
take the course indicated without specific
request from the civil courts and il is no,
even certain that he would go to such a n
extreme even in such a contingency The
queSuon mas not been considered seriously
at the war Department, and so far has NOT
gone beyond gossip and speculation