Evening journal., 1902-08-02
SMITH OVERCOME
BY RETIREMENT
Greatly Surprised at Action
Of the President
FRIENDS FEAR BREAKDOWN
Did Not Hear OF His Sentence Until
lie Arrived in San Francisco
Yesterday

San Francisco Aug Standing on
the bridge of the Thomas, eagerly
waiting with the ships captain for a
glimpse of his native shore. General
Jacob II. Smith, tried by court martial
for having ordered the Island ef samar
transformed into a bowling wilderness.
was doomed yesterday TO first learn
that the president had retired him from
active duty The pilot boat which mot
the Thomas just outside the heads
early yesterday morning brought to
General Smith the first news of the
presidents action In the failing light
of a pinnacle lamp the veteran read
the message that apprised him of his
fate An hour later the dawn came,
and with it the sight of land. but Cen
oral Smith had retired to his cabin,
where. with his wife and chief aide,
Lieutenant ]. H. Shields. of the Twelfth
Infantry, he discussed the outcome of
the long ordeal through which he had
,assed.
When the Thomas reached the quar-
antine station in the harbor. Major
Duval, of the transport service, board
ed the ship and met both General
Smith and Lieutenart Shields at the
door of the generals cabin. A sealed
document from the war department
was handed General Smith 1t con-
tanned the official notification of Presi-
dent Roosevelts action, and upon read
ing il the general retired, overcome
with emotion.
General Smith denied himself to all
interviewers. who were met by Lieu
tenant Shields. Together with his
wife and aide. General Smith proceed
ed to the Occidental Hotel. repairing
thence to army headquarters in the
Phelan Building.
General Smith has absolutely moth
ing to say for publication" said Lieu
tenant Shields. HE is not at liberty to
talk, and. furthermore, has nothing to
say lie has been hopeful that the
president would not take action against
him. and of course feels keenly the
force Of the blow he has received. The
general admitted to the court martial
trying him that he had issued orders
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 pris-
oners be taken. The literal construc-
tion of these orders and their exact in
depreciation made up the bulwark OF
| evidence against the general at the
court martial. There is no doubt but
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 civil
ian attire. appeared exceedingly ner-
vous and worn. His GO years are plain
ly read in his every action, and his in
innate friends fear he is breaking down
under the severe strain TO which he has
been subjected in recent months.
Il is not yet known when General
Smith will proceed east His sealed or.
ders require him to report to the ad-
iutant general at Washington, and II
is likely he will lose no time in starting
for the national capital.
Will Attend Philippine Reunion.
Council Bluffs, Ia, Aug Con
gressman Walter /. Smith yesterday
afternoon received a telegram from
General Jacob H. Smith. just arrived
in San Francisco from the Philippines
accepting an invitation tc attend the
third annual reunion of the National
Society of the Army of the Philippines
stating that he would arrive here Au
gust 10, the first day of the reunion
Preparations are being made TO give
him a magnificent ovation.