The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-19
VI VI, SAID
CAPT. WAYNE
And Then the Row Started in
Venitian Cafe.
EVERYBODY GESTICULATEO
Report of Trouble of Chicago'S
Officers Made Public.

prisoned at Venice in the latter part Of
April throws a new and important light
on the affairs. II now appears that The
United States consul at Venice Henry \.
John son and the lawyer. provided by
him for the defense urged the officers
to plead that they were violently drunk.
This they denied 10 do. Rear Admiral
Crownshield. commanding the European
squadron. in reviewing the findings Of
the court severely censured Captain Jas.
II. Dayton. commander OF the Chicago
for not personally attending to the de-
tense Of the officers and comments on the
revolving indignities'' suffered by the Of
| ficers while confined al Venice. Under
| the circumstances Admiral Crownshield
holds "a courtmartlal would be q farce
| Captain Daytons court Of inquiry mi
| nuteiy traces the movements Of the Of
/ ficers Of the Chicago on the day OF their
| arrest and says Lieutenant John s. Dod-
bridge and Sergeon Robert Z. Ledbetter
were affected by the question 70 a
noticeable extent but were not iatoxi-
Gated in the ordinary meaning OF the
/
other parties were affected by drinking %
The disturbance arose when Captain
Robert F. Wynne, commanding the ma
| rine guard OF the Chicago. seeing Dod-
bridge and Ledbetter sitting outside
Florians cafe, gave a hail. unusual 10
this place, resembling vi, VI. vi"
Lieutenant Doddridge and Surgeon Led
better ran toward Captain Wynne. upset
ting chairs and two small tables \ large
crowd and the police Immediately sur
rounded Lieutenant Doddridge who en-
deavored TO explain.
The crowd the findings continue.
pressed on. shouting and gesticuIating.
but were not well controlled by the po-
lice. The police secured Lieutenant
Doddridge and apparently at the same
time the crowd attacked him. Lieuten-
ant Doddrdge was roughly handled by
the police and it required the assistance
of citizens 10 effect his arrest. But there
were no means OF distinguishing the per-
sons assisting the police from those who
were wantonly attacking the prisoner"
Captain Wynne. Surgeon Ledbetter.
Naval Cadet James c. Kress. and Lang
ley. marine. all forcibly endeavored to
help Lieutenant Doddrldge. retaIiating
for the assistance of civilians. but not
attacking the police
AT the station" il is added in the
findings of the court. there was much
excitement The crowd was at first
allowed therein and no one appeared to
be in high authority. The crowd shout
ed and gesticulated and the officers made
demands and protests. Their treatment
in prison was severe and extremely hui
initiating. but there is no evidence that
the prison rules were exceeded"
The officers pleaded self defense against
civilians that no police were knowingly
resisted and that Their intention was not
TO release Lieutenant Doddrldge. but 20
protect him from violence inflicted from
outsiders. The court refers 20 the disad-
vantage at which the officers were placed
during the trial owing TO their ignorance
Of the Italian language laws and says:
The interpreter, who was a consular
clerk. was not successful or satisfactory.
The strong feeling against the officers
amongst the audience was frequently
manifested and no Efforts We're made by
the magistrate 20 suppress the nantes
tations. In summing up the court finds
that while the actions Of Cadet Kress
were indiscret TO further proceedings
against him should be taken; the same
conclusion is arrived at REGARDING Lang
ley and the court recommends that
Lieutenant Doddridge Captain Wynnc
and Surgeon Ledbetter be tried by court
martial for conduct unbecoming an CT
fcer gnd a gentleman" that Lieutenant
Uoddridge and Surgeon Ledbctter re
. Hl.f- sra.a.a
liquor and upsetting tables and chairs.
and that Captain Wynnc be tried for his
unusual hail in the quiet Of 81 MARKS
and running among chairs and .
tables in public cafe
II 1uQshing al the recommen6atio i
for courtmartials Admiral CrawHinshicld f
says: after q minute examination 10 4
appears that there was rot sufficient egi-
5ence adduced before the court ~ inquiry
TO establish the allegations against sur
geon Ledbetter Lieutenant Doddsidrs +
and Captain wynne.~
washington June 1s-Thc text ~ The
proceedings before the Chicago court n
inquiry. with Admiral Cro~rinshsld-s
strong endorsement thereon. contained IN
ne Associated Press dispatches from
london. has net yet reached the rarv De-
sartu1ent. Witch thus FAR has had uoth-
nE hut q teiagraphic synopsis II fhe
indines-
Secretary Moody. however ~ ire hasls
Y the cable reports. has ros.tirslv raGe
- bis mind that Admiral CreE1irstie1d
.cted correctly in rot ordering court
martial. 81 unless there s. so1efhfns in
ne tie BODY ~ the Testimony taken -
10 court ~ f-arlf-~ VIII 4 nor Erer-