The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-02
Landed from the Transport Thomas
After Being Informed of His Re-
tirement from Active Duty.
WAS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION
ON LEARNING THAT THE PRESIDENT
HAD PUNISHED HIM.
Declined to Discuss the Matter, but
Showed that He keenIy Felt the
Unexpected Blow.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1.-Standing on
the bridge of Thomas, eagerly waiting
with the ships captain for a glimpse of
his native shore, Gen. Jacob H. Smith.
tried by court-martial for having ordered
the Island of Samar transformed into
bowling wilderness, was doomed this morn
ing to first learn that the President had
retired him from active duty.
The pilot boat which met the Thomas just
outside the heads at o'clock this morn
ing brought to General Smith the first news
of the Presidents action. In the light of
a pinnacle lamp the veteran read the mes
sage that apprised him of his fate. An
hour later the dawn came and with it the
sight of land, but General Smith had
tired to his cabin, where, with his wife
and chief aid, Lieut.. ]. H. Shields. of
the Twelfth Infantry, he discussed the out
come of the long ordeal through which
he had passed. Six hours later, when the
Thomas reached the quarantine station in
the harbor, Major Duval, Of the transport
service, boarded the ship with his secretary,
and both met General Smith and Lieutenant
Shields at the door of the generals cabin.
A sealed document from the War Depart
ment was handed General Smith. 1t con-
tanned the official notification of President
Roosevelts action, and upon reading il
General Smith retired, overcome with emo
tion.
General Smith was not seen again until
the United States custom house tender, the
Hartley, was ready to take the general
and his party ashore. He denied himself
10 all interviewers who were met by Lieu
tenant Shields Together with his wife
and his aid General Smith proceeded to
the Occidental Hotel, repairing then to
army headquarters in the Phelan building,
where he remained during the morning.
General Smith has absolutely nothing
to say for publication" said Lieutenant
Shields. He is not al liberty 10 talk. and
Furthermore has nothing to say. He has
been hopeful that the President would not
take action against him, and, of course
feels keenly the force Of the blow he re-
ceiVed The general admitted to the court
martial trying him that he had issued or
derS which in effect expressed his desire
that the enemy, if obdurate and uncon-
querable. be not spared-in fact, that the
country be laid waste and no prisoners be
taken The literal construction of these
orders and their exact Interpretation made
up the bulwark of evidence against the
general at the court-martial There is no
doubt that General Smith did not mean all
he said. He certainly did not expect the
action which the President has taken"
General Smith, who is wearing civilian
attire, appeared exceedingly nervous and
worn. His siXty-twO years are plainly read
i'm his every action. and his intimate friends
fear he is breaking down under the severe
strain 10 which he has been subjected in
recent months II is not yet known when
General Smith will proceed East. His
sealed orders require him 10 report TO the
adiutant general at Washington, and IL is
likely he will lose no time in starting for
the national capital Repeated efforts made
during the dav TO induce General Smith 10
discuss his campaign in the Philippines and
his court-martial failed entirely. He even
declined TO take up the subject with inti-
mate friends.
The transport Thomas brings portions of
the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Infan-
try Regiments and Tenth Cavalry.