The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-06
AMES In BAD LIGHT
OFFICIAL TELEGRAMS TOUCHING
THE THIRTEENTHS COLONEL
GIVEN PUBLICITY
EXPLAINS WELL-KEPT SECRET

GOV. Lind Temporarily Stood Be-
tween the Colonel and the War
Department, but He Has Now
Stepped Aside-Letters From Ma
Mia That Opened the Eyes of
Those Interested In the Regiment.
The mantle of mystery or secrecy or
both which have surrounded Col. Fred
Ames of the Thirteenth Minnesota for
two or three months is being torn aside
as rapidly as the newspapers can secure
number of hitherto concealed teIe-
grams from their hiding places One set
Of these kilograms are on record in Gov.
Lind's office, and so far as the governor
is concerned they would never have been
made public, because the one which gave
the official information from Manila, that
the officers of the Thirteenth Minnesota
had a grievance with their colonel, was
marked confidential That request Gov.
Lind respected and in doing so has been
compelled to maintain secrecy about
subsequent developments Way back in
June came the report from Manila of
Col. Ames having to leave the field be-
cause of sickness Then followed
period of weeks when nobody knew
where the colonel was to be found, the
idea being that he had started for the
United States. It was about this time
that Gov Lind received the following
cablegram, reference to which was made
in the G l O b of yesterday:
(ConfidenitalD
MANILA, Philippine Islands, June 9,
1899. Lind St. Paul: By permission of
the department commander (Otis), the Of
you to withdraw the request to the sec
retary of war retaining Col Ames in
service. -Ohcers.
SOMETHING WRONG.
The receipt of this message opened the
eyes of the governor to the fact that
something was apparently wrong, a fact
he didn't know whert he sent the follow
ing May 2O
Secretary of War, Washington, D. c.:
As to Col. Ames, it seems to me that a
reasonable sick leave is proper in his
case, rather than discharge, In view of
the regiments ardupus service. VIII take
the matter up with him on his return and
examine farther. Meantime should be
pleased to have no action taken.
John Lind, Governor.
The latter was the governors re-
sponse to Gen. Corbin's suggestion that
Col. Ames be mustered out as soon as he
reach the United States. Having sent
this he took no further action, believing
that with Col. Anres on the ocean and
unable to defend himself in case that any
charges had been made, 1t was acting the
part of fairness for the Washington au-
thorities to suspend any action they
might feel inclined to take until such time
as the colonel had reached San Francisco
Since he is there GeV Lind feels that he
L, IL
ty that may arise, and that it is ques-
ton for the war department to settle
1t was delicate position in which the
governor was placed, and he took ground
in what he considered an impartial and
fair way as between the war department,
Col. Ames and the Thirteenth regiment
He stood between Gel. Ames and a mus
ter out until the colonel reached land
Since then he stepped aside and leaves it
all for Washington to dispose of.
Gov. Lind yesterday made the following
statement Of the case;
GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
at is matter that I cannot with pro-
priety discuss. No officer in the service
of the United States is answerable to a
state executive for any alleged miscon-
duct. He is only aTnena BILE to the war de-
partment. When the adjutant general
some time ago suggested the muster out
OF COL AmeS, who was then on his way
to the United States on sick leave, I sent
this message 6he message of May 90
given above).
After the coloneFs arrival I suggested
to Adjt. Gen. Corbin that the colonel
could communicate directly with the de-
partment I had no further request to
make or wishes to express in the prem
ises''
OTHER MESSAGES.
Gov. Lind, It will be seen, made no
reference to the following dispatches
which have recently passed between Adjt
Gen. Corbin and himself:
Washington, D. c., Aug. 4.-Gov. John
Lind, st. Paul. Mimi: No reports re-
spectfng record of Col Ames other than
Gen Otis cablegram teiegraphed you by
the secretary of war May IS. received
here. Your wishes as to his discharge or
retention will be carried out by secretary
H c. Corbin. Adiutant General.
In reply to the above. Gov. Lind yes
terday sent the following:
st. Paul, Aug. 5, dS9s-H. c. Corbin,
AdJutant General, Washington, d. c..
Answering yours Aug T. l have no pref
erence IN the matter. Have withdrawn
request muster be DELAYED. Take such
action as your judgment or advices from