New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
THE MILITARY COURTS.
MUCH SPECULATION AS TO THE RESULT
OF THE COURT RT-MARTIAI.-CLOsED
DOORS CAUSE DISCUSSION

When the court-martial OF Captains Bloecker and
Meeks. OF the fist Regiment. came to an abrupt
end last Tuesday by the withdrawal of the plea
Of not guilty and the substitution Of the plea of
guilty. National Guardsmen drew a long breath and
felt thankful that wise course had lessened the
chances Of further scandal There was never any
doubt as to the guilt of the two captains. and the
only hope In their based technical
points and hair-spting The composition OF the
court must have convinced Major Van Duzer. as
well as the captains. that time spent in hair-spt-
ting would be lost, and they wisely decided with
draw the original plea. There has been much
speculation since then as to what punishment will
he decided on. and while some officers think that
nothing less than dismissal from the service would
meet the requirements In the case. others believe
that the valuable services OF the captains should be
taken into consideration and that a severe repri-
mand should be their only punishment But while
speculations are going on and recommendations are
being made the Court remains silent. and nothing
is known 70 the fate Of the captains.
Those officers and members Of the National
Guard who pleased to see the court-martial
ended also expressed themselves as satisfied with
the action taken by the Court of Inquiry, which
was convened al the request OF Major Smith and
CAPTAIN Whittle The Court decided to hold its
sessions behind closed doors. and to make no part
Of the proceedings pubs until they nro,sa ys
raised against this method OF procedure by the
Of the ThS haS eeSn mse
public" they argued. 'and the dena.s should have
the same publicity.
'The captains VINO accused their superiors of cow
ardce did so in the columns of the daily papers.
and we wish that the public should see the other
side through the same medium" But the Court
was Arm and when It's sessions are resumed, at
10 o'clock on next Thursday morning. person
VIII he admitted unless he has been summoned 10
apnear Even witnesses will not be permitted to
remain in the courtroom before or after their ex
animation. II Is the intention OF the Court OF In
ouIrv 10 probe the matter In hand, and to leave
nothing undone toward bringing out the whole
truth. but every member Of the court Is anxious
avoid scandal. 8,
1.-THE captains still insist that all that was said
by them was true and the superior officers say
that IL was not true said an officer high In the
service ''and the Court OF Inquiry will know, when
il gets through. who is right. and II Will be time
then 10 give the matter TO the public, and neither
side will I've loser by waiting n IT should be
shown that the captains We're wrong, the vindca-
tion Of the superiors will be just as complete In
few weeks as In few days. and the offending cap
tans could he prosecuted then as well as now; ana
II on the other hand. there should be some truth
In the charges the whole Guard would be better off
because OF the closed doors.
The court is composed Of the following officers:
Colonel Samuel NJ Welch. jr. Colonel Franklin
Bartlett Colonel William II. Lloyd and Lieutenant
Colonel Charles J. Buchanan
When the sessions are resumed they Will take
place In the 22d Regiment Armory