Evening star., 1896-04-04
Army Officers Take Offense at Crit
icism by Major Suess
CLOSE OF TEE RIFLE GALLERY
Preparations for the Season of Out
door Shooting.
ENGINEER CORPS ACTIVE

The criticism of brother officers by GER
tain individuals holding commissions in the
District of Columbia National Guard has
resulted Of late in the filing OF charges I'm
cne or two instances, with q consequent
stir up in the interest Of the organizations
Immediately concerned but there is another
matter on the tapis OF the same general
nature. though quite out Of the ordinary.
1t involves the commanding officer OF one
OF the most progressive battalions of the
brigade in a manner heretofore entirely
foreign to the District guard. while an
army officer. the adjutant general of the
army and the War Department are directly
concerned.
1t will be remembered very well that soon
after Washington's birthday Major Otto
L. Suess of the fifth battalion, in a COM
munication to a local newspaper over his
official signature, complained of the general
lack Of patriotism apparent in this city. In
explanation. Major Suess set forth that as
his command paraded along Pennsylvania
avenue, February d. 1t was reviewed,
among other spectators, by several persons
Whom he recognized as officers of the
United States army, and Of the number,
but one, Capt. Theodore Mosher, twenty
second United States infantry. who, by the
way, Is adjutant general of the District of
Columbia militia, raised his hat in recogni-
tion of the national colors borne by the
battalion. 1t is said that Major Suess
further declared that as his battalion
marched past the Army and Navy Club it
was viewed by number of officers of the
army from one of the windows of that
structure. and that no apparent notice OF
the presence Of the flag was taken by any
of the party.
Although no names were mentioned, it
seems that the officers in company with
Col. Mosher or the occasion described were
Lieut.. Carl Reichman and Lieut.. Arthur
Yates both OF the ninth infantry, U. S. A.
Noticing Major Suess' published criticism,
Lieut.. Reichman, In communication to
the adjutant general of the army, ii is
stated, inclosed clipping, and declared
most emphatically that he did salute the
coiors. and then went on to say certain
things about the conduct of Major Suess in
publicly denouncing an officer of the
army in the manner in question.
Gen. Ruggles' Recommendation.
Interest is added to the situation by the
announcement that one of the officers who
viewed the passing of the battalion from
the Army and Navy Club was General
Ruggles. adjutant general of the army
Those who claim to know say that Gen.
Ruggies very properly saluted the colors,
IN spite or Major SIeSs' contertion to the
contrary. In any event. Gen. Ordway is in
receipt OF a communication, it is said
from the adjutant general, L. S. A., in
closing the statement of Lieut.. Reichman,
accompanied by few pertinent remarks
from the adjutant general himself The
Endorsement of most interest, however, is
believed to read something like the fol-
lowing: This matter requires some action
on the part of the brigadier general com
randing the District of Columbia militia"
owing to press Of private business, il is
believed that Gen. Ordway has not found
time as yet to consider the matter How
ever, military men who have heard of the
affair say that the Endorsement from the
War Department officials cannot be ignor-
ed, and the outcome of the decidedly unique
situation Will be awaited with perhaps
more genuine interest than any happening
appertaininS to the local military for some
time past.