The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
SHIELDS MUST
COME To TRIAL
THIS MORNING
Both Sides Ready to
Proceed.

The trial OF Chaplain Shields will COM
mence this morning at the Preside. The
case is exciting considerable interest and
the outcome is a matter OF serious doubt.
1t was at one time expected that tho
case would never come before the court
martial. but that before the trial vas
really commenced the accused chaplain
would be ordered before retiring board,
a board II surgeons authorized 20 inquire
into his physical fitness 10 hold his post
tion, and that he would be retired on ac-
count OF disability; but the case has gone
too far for such a proceeding and the
chaplain must come 10 trial.
The prosecution does not expect TO take
long, but the defendant Is under the i'm
preston that II will take at least two
weeks. The defense. according 70 expecta-
tions, will include variety OF issues It
will be conteEded that Shields was In such
a nervous state that his system required
stimulants and they had been ordered by
his physician. There is no doubt the man
is close 10 a nervous wreck and upon his
condition will rest the strength OF. this
contention. 1t will also be maintained that
the accused is being prosecuted by his
civilian brethren OF the cloth because his
opinions are too liberal AS an army
chaplain II Is hard for any man TO keep
to the strict lines OF any creed, for the
men he deals with are OF all denOmina-
tions and many OF no denomination at oil.
To teach the broad principles Of Chris
tianity is about all he can do outside OF
caring for men who need such care as a
T6e Forty-ninth will get away to-day
that Is, ~ the schedule be not changed
again. This will clear the Preside OF
volunteers and the tents will probably
come down TO await further use by tran
silent troops. Besides the four cOnpanies
composing the third battalion OF the FOR
ty-ninth the Sherman will take away ~
recruits and number OF officers hereto
been ordered 10 join their regiments In
the Philippines. They have been men
toned from time to time as their orders
Two fights enlivened the outskirts OF the
Preside Monday night. one was a negro
soldier who wished 10 enter poker game
In which only white soldiers were losing
their money. He was not allowed that
privilege and he drew gun TO tight for
IT: He was thrown out Of the saloon.
The other was between two soldiers and
a cobblestone. Private Ramsay Of the
hospital corps was returning 20 his quar-
ters after having called upon his best
girl'' and he encountered IN enemy and
perhaps a rival. The rival wanted him
10 drink or TO fight. and as Ramsay
would not drink the rival hit him on the
head with a paving-stOne and lost him
self in the excitement that followed. ram
say had his arm in a sling and was 9th
srwlse disabled. so ne could not defend
minutes and when he came 10 he was
taken TO the general hospital, where he
Is now recuperating.
Acting Assistant Surgeon Frederick II.
Morhart has been assigned 70 duty on the
transport Sherman.
First Lieutenant Frank r. Lyman and
squad OF men OF the signal corps have
been ordered TO proceed TO Manila on the
Sherman
First Lieutenant Elmer A. Deane. as
sistant surgeon, and acting Assistant
Surgeon Vernon Earthman have been re-
lieved from duty with the casuals and
have been ordered 70 report for duty at
the general hospital.
There were four funerals at the Pre-
sidio yesterday. all held under the escort
Of Battery o OF the Third Artillery. The
dead men were Walter II. Guthref Com
pany A Of the Twelfth Infantry; James
II. Harrington. Company II OF the rwcn-
ty-seeond Infantry; Joseph Quinn, Com
pany l. Of the Twenty-first Infantry and
Peter Dougherty, Company G OF the Thir-
teenth Infantry. AL were buried IN tho
National Cemetery.