The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-21
CORRESPONDENT SCOVEL
NEW YORK WORLDS MAN AGAIN IN
TROUBLE WITH UNCLE SAM.
Arrested at Santiago for Striking
tailed and Sentenced to Death.

NEW YORK. July 20.-A copyright dis
patch to the Herald from Santiago de Cuba
says: sylvester Scovel. newspaper cor
respondent who was arrested for striking
General Shafter yesterday. was taken to
Siboney to-day on the tug Colon under
small guard. He may be tried here, or
General Shafter may decide to send him
as a prisoner to the United States for trial."
Other advices from Santiago say that ac-
counts disagree regarding the incident. One
says Scovel returned a blow struck by Gen.
Shafter, and another that. angered by an
order of General Shafter, Scovel sought the
general and slapped him. The latter YER
sion says Scovel had asked permission of
General Shafter to ascend to the roof of
the governors palace with the American
officers who hoisted the first American flag
in Santiago. Gen. Shafter refused the re-
quest. Scovel thereupon renewed the request
and was again peremptorily refused. Not
satisfied, Scovel so the report says. at
tempted to go up on the building. but was
promptly seized by the orderlies and
dragged down. Then came the assault and
his arrest was ordered by General Shafter.
He was placed in Corcel Real and to-day
was removed in the tug Colon under close
guard to Siboney. 1t is not known how his
case will be disposed of. as it is possible
to try him at the front or bring him to the
United States.
This is not ScovePs first offense against
the army regulations He slowed away on
the government vessel Uncas at Key West
when it went to Havana to arrange for the
exchange Of Correspondent Charles II.
Thrall and Artist Jones. Scovel had been
refused permission to go on the Uncas, but
slowed away and was not discovered till
the boat had got to sea. For this disobedi-
ence he was forbidden to appear at any
naval station of the United States
No case like that of Scovels in the pres
emf instance is known to the officials at
Washington it is said, so there is no prece-
dent for dealing with it. 1t appears, how
ever, that Scovels case may come under the
general articles of war, and he may be SEN
fenced to death by a court-martial. These
particular sections of the articles of war
apparently governing the case seem to cover
the matter fully. They read thus:
Article 63. All retainers to the camp and
all persons serving with the armies of the
United States in the field, though not en-
listed soldiers. to be subject to orders,
according to the rules and discipline of war.
article q. Any officer or soldier who, on
any pretense whatever, strikes his superior
officer, draws or lifts any weapon, or
offers any violence against him. being in
the execution of his office, or disobeys any
lawful command of his superior officer. shall
suffer death, or such other punishment as
a court-martial shall direct.
Article 81. All crimes not capital and all
disorders and neglects which officers and
soldiers may be guilty of to the prejudice Of
good order and military discipline, though
not mentioned in the foregoing articles OF
war, are to be taken cognizance of by
general or regimental garrison or field
officer court-martial, according to the ma
ture and degree of the offense and punished
at the discretion of such court"
Article II of the articles of war provides
that when the commanding general of a
separate army is the accuser, the President
shall appoint the officers of the court.
Under such conditions it is further pro-
vided the findings of the court would be re-
ferred directly to the Secretary of War, and
by him forwarded to the President for the
latter's approval. 1t is declared to be i'm
probable that any immediate consideration
of the case will be had, though it is thought
Scoval will probably at once be expelled
from the lines.