New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-08
AFFAIRS OF THE SEVENTY FIRST.
THE COURT MARTIAL FINDING IN THE
HANDS OF THE COMMUNICATIVE
INQUIRY BOARD WILL RESUME
WORK ON THURSDAY.

The finding Of the court-martial in the case OF
Captains Meeks and Bleecker has been transmit
ted to General Roe and has gone forward through
the proper channel to headquarters at Albany.
The court of inquiry which was ordered at the re-
quest Of the officers OF the list Regiment who were
accused Of unsoldery conduct by the captains has
adjourned and will not sit again until Thursday
The recess was necessary in order 10 give the
members OF the Board an opportunity TO prepare
for the. broader inquiry which has been asked for
hy Governor Roosevelt. The original order con-
fined the inquiry the action OF Major Smith and
CAPTAIN white but the Board would have had
no right make inquiry as 10 the part taken ny
other officers and by the enlisted men OF the list
Regiment in the battle of San Juan Hill rms
would have been unsatisfactory to many members
of the regiment who were anxious TO have the
cloud under which the whole regiment stood cleared
away.
Governor Roosevelt was undoubtedly In sympathy
with these men, for his order through General
Roe directs that full and complete inquiry IN
regard TO the conduct OF the list Regiment in the
Santiago campaign be made. and particularly as
70 all officers and enlisted men Of that regiment
who are now members of the National Guard Of
this State" The Major Generals order directs
that the Court shall express an opinion based on
the evidence adduced at the investigation. and
report If further action is necessary in the case OF
any officer enlisted man
It is highly probable that the whole truth in the
case will come TO the surface. and. although the
court ma rtial may punish the captains for having
criticised their superors through the columns OF
the public press If their charges can be substan-
tiated before the court Of inquiry the officers whom
they accused will have TO answer further charges.
General Roe said that the investigation would
he an exhaustive one. and that II would take
weeks TO complete the task. II is the general
opinion among officers Of the Guard that the IN
oiIiry will inure the beneht OF the regiment Tor,
while II may reveal the fact that there was some
shortcoming II will remove suspicion from many
members Of the command who did their duty but
vvho have been blamed for the faults OF others
The sessions Of the court OF inquiry have been helo
hehind closed doors and part Of the proceedings
has been made public. but much alleged testimony
~ highly sensational character has been puonshed
These renorts have convinced the members or the
hoard that they were right in closing the doors
aeainst the public and despite the influence wnicn
bes heen brought bear on Colonel Welch ana
The other members OF the Board. the sessions VIII
continue 10 be secret and report OF the testimony
y,I he IN AIDE public until the Board has finished lts
Iah ors and prepared it's report .
On the subject OF the recent disturbances In the
regimAnt General Roe said that the men VINO
usre respons,ble for the scenes were not original
Isl Regiment men, but volunteers, and that they
had No right to be in Captain Stoddards room al
the time. IA ....,,, oor,o al, oil
right and the regiment VIII again De 'a'"hoie
factor in the State soldiery'