The San Francisco call., 1899-03-24
Colonel Compton's S
Strange Proposal.
ASKED FOR A RESIGNATION
ALSO DEMuRRED TO RECEIVING
MONEY FOR SHORTAGE.
The Charges Have Been Preferred
and the Lieutenant Will Have
to Stand Trial for Two
Distinct Offenses.

Since the return of Lieutenant Neau to
the Preside on Saturday last there have
been some interesting developments In the
case not generally known which tend TO
show that Colonel Compton, whatever ne
may do in the matter, is apparently De
ing actuated by some tnexphcable motlVe.
1t will be remembered that Lieutenant
Neall returned to the Preside to stand
his trial for absence without leave and to
take the consequences. This was entirely
voluntary upon his part. The first thlng
that he did on reporting to Colonel comp
ton was to make good his shortage by
turning over the money. he was lheh
placed under arrest by Colonel compton
and ordered to his quarters.
The following story, which was heard
at the Presidio yesterday, is interesting
and is confirmed by reliable sources
Lieutenant Neall refused, however, TO say
q word, while Colonel Compton explaha-
ton could not be obtained, he having leIt
on Wednesday night on the Alameda LOT
Honolulu.
Early this week Colonel Compton sent
! for Lieutenant Neall, so it is reported
and read to him the charges which ne
| had preferred against him. The charges
| specified that Lieutenant Neall had been
| absent without leave and that ne had
/ failed to make a proper account for luhos
| in his possession. Colonel Compton then
| offered to Lieutenant NeaH the privilege
| of rendering his resignation, and stated
/ that he would forward it to the depart
! ment commander with the charges ne had
! Dreferred So urgent was ColOneI comp
! ton about the matter Of Lieutenant NSaI!
! resignfng that he even gave MIN a day
/ in which to think over his posltlon, anu
! the understanding was that II the oInceF
/ resigned and his resignation was &c
/ cented he would not be brought into court
/ to answer the charges preIerreu asd1lIsI l
! lieutenant NeaI refused to tender his
. resignation. He came back 70 stanu @ @H!9
/ trial and he steadfastly adheres TO MS
pT7 Thfs7 however. is not all that is inter-
! estine In the case When Lieutenant
| NeaH first reported to CoIonel compton
/ last Sunday morning and desired to turn
! over the money to make good his snort
/ age Colonel Compton most, emphatlcaiiLy ~
/ demurred TO his request. He dld not de-
! sire the officer to turn over the money "
! to receive it, Lieutenant Neall, however,
| Insisted on making his shortage good, ana
| Colonel Compton was forced to SEND tor
! the proper officers, to whom the money
! was paid and from whom receipts IoI
! the same were taken Again, Colonel
/ tenant Neau the fact that, although ne
! mad made his shortage good, he need nope
for no Ieniency in the matter OF charges
! befDp preferred as far as they would De
/ relative to his failure to properly account
/ for public funds in his possession.
/ These facts are generally known ana
| are being quietly discussed at the Pre-
! sidio Every one is anxious to know eX-
| actIy what Colonel Compton would ike
/ TO accomplish in the case. 1t is thought
/ he would like TO force Lieutenant Neall
/ from the service. General Shafter said
yesterday that he had not received the
! in all probability they will be laid before
! him to-day.