The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-04
WAS NO CHARGE OF PERJURY.
NO SUCH ACCUSATION WAS MADE
AGAINST GEN. OTIS.


Attorney Blair Says The Affidavit as
to Gen. Otis Could Not he So Com
strued by any Stretch of the Imag-
fnatiOn-Was Filed Sometime Ago,
He Says, 10 Show the Prejudice of
Gen. Otis Who Was the President
of the Court.
Chicago, Sept. 3.-The Chronicle to-mor-
row will say:
Publication of the proceedings of the
Capt Oberlin M. Carter's courtmartiai,
whose verdict is in the hands of President
Mckinley for approval or rejection, has
been the cause of number OF sensational
statements during the past week, the wild
est of which is that Frank P. Blair, coun-
sci for Carter, has charged Gen. Elwen
S. Ous, now commanding the army in the
Philippines, with perjury and subornation
of perjury. In connection with the state
ment, Mr.. Blair has been quoted as en-
phasizing the accusations.
Il have made no such charges against
Gen Otis" said Mr.. Blair last night "A
reading of the affidavit does not by the
furhest stretch of the Imagination sup
port such a statement as has appeared
as coming from ME The affidavit was filed
with the President along with others last
fan when the review of the proceedings
Was referred 10 Senator Edmunds.
The affidavit was filed as an essential
part Of the demand for a setting aside of
the verdict, and simply states that one
night at the De Soto Hotel, Savannah,
Ga, during the sitting of the courtmar-
tial, l overheard Judge Advocate Col
Thomas F Barr read some document to
Gen. Oiis and another member of the
courtmartia and conclude by saying he
would read ii TO counsel, and Gen. Otis
remarked That will be good The affi-
daW, was proof that the two members
Of the courtmartial had exceeded their
province in discussing the case with the
prosecuting attorney In any legal pro-
ceeding such an act is sufficient TO throw
out The verdict of jury, and the court
martial is only a jury"
Never Talked TO Mckinley.
In connection with the assertion of the
making of a charge of perjury against the
president of the courtmartial the counsel
is quoted as having had an interview with
President Mckinley on the matter, and
that the President had said the charges
+. would necessitate the recall of Gen Otis
from the Philippines Mr.. Blair also re-
H pudiated having made such statement.
Il never talked with the President about
the attidavit." he said. Il do not even
know if he read it. The story is absurd.
Ihe affidavit was fled TO show the preiu-
A Dice OF the president of the courtmartial.
n My accusation against Gen. Otis goes that
far and no further. l believe that he was
Influenced in his judgment on the mat
ter by something or somebody outside of
a the evidence. That is evident to any read
er of the evidence
Il believe that Capt Carter is the victim
@ Of "a conspiracy to degrade him. It is an
American parallel to the Dreyfus case.
The same general features are in both
cases. The accusers and prosecutors of
carter are of the general staff of the
army as are those of Dreyfus. jealousy
n and deliberate attempt 10 carry out the
WlsheS or superiors, to pander 10 political
influence, has actuated the majority of the
men IN the Carter courtmartial. Secret
conferences, such as that set out in my
aidayit were the Illegal methods to Sc
4 cure The conviction of Capt. Carter"
Singled Out as Victim.
Mr.. Blair intimates that Carter was
j singled out as a victim of the wrath of
tae men who have been promoting the
Nicaragua canal scheme.
carter was named member of the ca
nal commission to investigate the exact
conditions of the scheme" added Mr.
blair. He was selected because of his
known engineering ability. Az the Army
ana Navy Club at Washington he said he
Proposed to get al the bottom of The
scheme and show it up. He was then
sent to England as military attache to the
american embassy. on his return he was
paced under arrest charged with defraud-
ms The government.
1 believe if he had never announced mis-
intention TO prick the plans of the promo
KITS ne would not have been accused"
4 TRYING. To SEt,UuE ARMS