Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-24
All Sorts Of Rumors Floating About
the San Antonio Camp.
MORTONS FAVORITES IN BETTING
Army Officers Seem to Think Wash
ington Boys Have Won.
START FOR HOME TOMORROW
Special From a Stan Correspondent.


SAN ANTONIO, Tex. July 24-This has
been day of worry and conjecture at
Camp Culberson. The perplexing uncer-
tainty will continue until tomorrow after
noon. when the judges, in making the
award in the most remarkable interstate
drill ever held, will finally straighten out
things
All sorts of runors circula ting. A
strong claim is made that the only correct
Interpretation of the drill program was by
the Governors Guard of Austin, Tex. This
allegation appears rather ludicrous to sew
eral of the Washington party. Then. 1t is
common talk that the Morton Cadets did
not follow the interpretations of Lieut..
French in their drill, the authority estab-
lished by the management. l discussed
the matter fully today with Capt. Shilling.
and his confident statement was: Had 1
studied the program for a week l would
have then read it precisely as i cid on the
field Thursday. To my mind, the Morton
Cadets executed every number in strict ac-
cordance with the drill regulations. The
work of the company was magnificent. and
1t will be a very great surprise to me If we
are not awarded first prize. However. an
interstate drill is on the order of a lottery.
and the board of judges may upset calcu-
lations by differing from the recognized
authorities on tactical points open to
doubt"
Mortons Stil FavOrites i'm Betting.
The Washington company this afternoon
remained the favorite in the betting at
even money with the Governors Guard sec
ond at 3 to =, and the Sealy Rifles third, a
to I. Large sums have been wagered on
the Mortons for first place, including a pool
of sl37. raised among the members of the
company.
The discouraging rumors have had an ef-
feet on the boys and they are shaking in
their shoes. But whether they win or lose,
it is an established fact that so far as the
drill proper is concerned. there Is absolute
ly TO comparison between the Morton Ca
diets and any other company that appeared
OH the field. If the Galveston cup Is not
returned to Washington next week. its alb
Sence will be due to mere technicality.
The Morton Cadets have represented the
national capital in this unprecedentedly
great contest IN a most able and soldierly
manner, and no matter what the result
may be, Westinghouse certainly have no
reason to feel other than proud of the en-
;erprising company
Beams Protest Ignored.
Prominent among the remarkable feat
ures of this drill are the protests. The
complaint of Capt. Bean of Minnesota that
Capt. Shilling witnessed the drills of other
companies yesterday returned by Gen.
Oppenheipler with the statement that he
had no authority to act. The paper then
went to the judges. They promptly
fused TO entertain the protest. 1t was this
afternoon transmitted TO the drill commit
tee Of the association mana cement.
No one is losing sleep over the outcome.
In the event that the Morton Cadets are
awarded first prize, the people of San An
tonic, with whom the boys are immensely
popular will to the rest. Capt. Bean,
by his action, has by no means added 10
the standing of his company and himself.
Capt Foye of the Thurstons has entered
protest against the Sealy Rifles, claiming
that the Seaiys should not be given credit
for executing the manual of arms without
the numbers. Capt. Foye takes the stand
that the program was ambiguous, and that
the Sealys interpreted it properly, only by
taking advantage of the Thurstons' alleged
error.
The Sealys, it is said. mean to protest
the Mortons on the strength of publica-
ton stating that fifteen National Fen :ibles
are members of the team. The statement
has afforded the Washington Joys rare
amusement.
1t has leaked out today that First Lieut.
Van LEV of the I'd Infantry. United States
army, the instructor of .he Thurston
Rifles, mas arranged to have published to-
morrow morning in local newspaper an
anonymous interview declaring. from the
standpoint Of expert. that stacking
with bayonets is incorrect. and that sey-
eral other movements required by the drill
program are not tactical.
These protests and publications demon
strate p.ainly that certain organizations are
very nervous over the result of The drill
The Mortons. in marked contrast, act with
calmness and dignity. In an individual
&C competitive drill with 122 participants. late
yesterday afternoon, Corporal Gapen and
Privates Buck and McCurdy stood fifth
sixth and seventh respectively. Members
of the Thurston Rifles won first and Sec
ond prizes.
The Mortons will give an exhibition drill
this afternoon. The feature of the day will
be sham battle and a big crowd is AL
ready on the grounds. Most of The time
OF the Washington boys is devoted to
sightseeing. The prizes will be awarded
about D o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The
Mortons leave a few hours later for home
Whether or not the Galveston cup and s.,
600 accompany them remains to be seen.
Z ~