Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-16
SOLDIERS CONDEMNED.
Three Infantrymen Court Martial
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Three Infantrymen Court Martialed
for Assaulttng Filipino Women.
Washington, Sept. 16.-While no Of
fetal advices have been received con-
tirmatory of the report that Gen. Otis
has decided to recommend the public
execution of two men of the Sixteenth
regular infantry for having assaulted
native women, the war department Of
Ificials are inclined to agree that some
radical action is necessary to counter
TACT the feeling existing among the Fill
pinos, due to the treatment of their
wives and daughters by certain Ameri-
can soldiers. especially volunteers.
The departure of the volunteers from
Manila, it is asserted, lifted load of
embarrassment from the shoulders of
the officials. Reports which have been
received at the department show that
an unusually large number of men
have been tried on charges growing
out of complaints made by native
women. and while the majority have
been acquitted some few have been
held.
An examination of the rolls of the
Sixteenth infantry discloses the fact
that there is a corporal of Company B.
of that regiment, named George Damp
hoffer, and that there are privates OF
the same company named Otto r. CO.
nine and Peter NIeBennett. Ina press
jdispatch it is stated that the Manila
papers assert that Corp. Damphoffe,
and Private Conine, of Company B.
Sixteenth infantry, have been SEN
fenced TO death by court martial and
that Private McBennett has been con-
| ldemned TO twenty years Imprisonment
flor having assaulted native women in
Manila about o month ago.
| The enlistment papers OF Corp
4 George Dainphofer show tflct he was
/ born in Kalama, Wash, in 1876, and
that he enlisted at Seattle, Wash, or
August 81. 1897. and was assigned tc
lCompany b, of the Sixteenth infantry.
/ He worked as laborer before enlist
ment. Private Otto II. Conine was
/ born at Edgeville, Ia, and is 90 years
OF age. He is a blacksmith by trade
| He enlisted at Chicago in September,
1896. Peter McBennett was enlisted at
Allegheny, Pa. on January u. 1899.
1t is said at the war department that
ithe trial of the men charged with the
loffense Indicated is conducted under
article IS of the articles of war This
article provides that in time of war.
Iinsurrection or rebellion, larceny, rob
! berry, burglary, arson, manslaughter.
murder, assault and battery with in
| tent to kill, wounding with an attempt
| TO commit murder. rape, or assault and
battery with intent to commit rape,
shall be punished by the sentence of a
general court martial. when committed
tby persons in the military service of the
/ United States, and the punishment in.
Iany. such case shall not be less than the
punishment provided for like offense
by the laws of the state. territory or
ldistrict in which such offense may have
been committed"
The last provision Of the above arti-
Gle has been interpreted by the officials
TO apply to the laws of any state or
TERRITORY of the union and has no ref
erence to the laws of the Philippines.
so that the court martial which tried.
the men can impose any sentence il
sees fit
With respect to the action which the
president Will take, it is said at the de.
partment that when the cases are sub
mitted by Gen. Otis they will be pre-
sented to Judge Advocate General
Lieber for review and recommendation.
The secretary of war will then submit
a recommendation TO the president.
who will act. If there is no doubt as tc
the facts showing that the crime was
committed, and Gen. Otis recommends
the execution for the effect it will have
/ in convincing the natives of the inten-
! ton of the United States to deal fairly
with them, it is probable that the pres
ident will approve the recommendation.
Senator Foster, of Washington. re-
lceived telegram from E. c. Believes
at Vancouver. Wash, asking him t.
assist in having the sentence of Damp
hotter mitigated. The senator will see
President Mckinley in regard to the
j case