The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-16
R00SEVELT'S WAR RECORD.
His Conduct in Cuba Criticised by
Colonel Racon


NEW YORK. April 15.-CoI. Alexander
Bacon. counsel for Clinton H. Smith in
his endcayors through the courts to be
reinstated as major Of the Seventy first
Regiment has published a pamphlet de
Tending the officers Of the Seventy first
from the charges OF cowardice before San
tiagO and incidentally attacking Governor
Roosevelt
He says that Governor Roosevelt
boasts in his book The Rough Riders
OF having personally killed a Spaniard by
shooting him after the Spaniard had shot
at him. This Colonel Bacon considers
''unsoldierly' aud "bloodthirsty," and the
shooting much like murder" since the
Spaniard, after firing, had turned and was
running away. Here is another general
extract from Colonel Bacon's pamphlet:
Major Reade tof General Kent's STAN
in his official report inspector Generars
Report. page 1C2) states that Colonel
Roosevelt made this statement: Twenty
five per cent Of my Rough Riders cannot
carry a pail OF water from the creek to
the trenches. No man can decry the reg
iment, but we must accede to the next pro-
position from the enemy This marveiou'
demand was made at headquarters before
the enemy surrendered
The Seyeuty-1rst had more an 30 per
cent Of its men who not only could not
carry a pail OF water, but whose legs could
not carry their own bodies; but they never
dictated policies to their supeior Offices nor
boosted of their sufferings. They we're
not 'quitters' and we're never so anxious
to get home as to suggest easy terms for
the enemy"
\ copy Of Major Reade's report was not
obtainsble today.
Brigadier General Breckenridge, In
spectOr General of the Army, said last
night that he did not recall any report
from Major Philip Reade who was in
spector general Of Kent's division at San
tiago. which contained a criticism Of Gov
ernor Roosevelt. Major Reade is General
Kent's brother-in-law. He is now serving
under his commission as a captain OF the
Fourth Infantry, the higher staff title hav-
ing been in the volunteer service. General
Breckenridge said that several reports had
been received by the Inspector Generals
Office from Major Reade, but he may have
made others of a confidential character
which had not been forwarded to the In
spector General.
General Breckenridge. who. during the
war with Spain, was a major general OF
volunteers, and as such served in the san
tiago campaign as an observer ard adviser,
was not inclined to believe that any charge
Of cowardice had been made againsl co..
ernor Roosevelt. Il think, he said, that
no officer in the Santiago campaign would
accuse Colonel Roosevelt of not being a
brave soldier. He was not only that, but a
very efficient one. The high reputation of
his regiment was rot unfounded, and you
will find that much Of that reputation rame
from qualities that may be found beneath
the cuticle of its commanding Officer.
General Breckenridge was asked Wheth-
er there had been anything said at the
conference between General Shafter and
his division and brigade commanders on
the night Of July ., which resulted in
Skaters message to Secretary Alger that
he was seriously contemplating falling
back five miles. that would form the basis
for Major Reade's statement that Colonel
Roosevelt had dictated to his superior Of
ficers and had said that the American
troops must accede to the next PROPOSE
tiou OF the enemy.
Il was not present at that conference.
but ! never heard anything to justify
those accusations" General Breckenridge
said. las | remarked before, Colonel
Roosevelt is a man OF the greatest cour-
age Whatever he may have said, / think
that even any chance remark OF his at
the time cannot. without the greatest
stretch Of imagination. be construed into
a reflection on his bravery. He was a
good soldier. a gentleman Of high qualities,
and did his duty thoroughly