The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-02
TIE GENERAL IS DUMB
The Order to Make Sama Howling
Wilderness.
CLAIM IT WAS NOT MEANT LITERALLY
The General Arrives at San Francisco and Of
Receiving RooseveIfs Notification Of
His Retirement Denies Him
caif 10 lninruiauiarr
self 10 lnteryiewers.
(By the Associated Press.)

San Francisco, August 1.--Standiug on
the bridge of the Thomas eagerly wait
ing with the ships captain for a glimpse
of his native shore. General Jacob H
Smith, tried by court martial for hav-
ing ordered the island of Samar trans
formed into a bowling wilderness, was
doomed this morning to first learn that
the President had retired him from act
i've duty.
The pilot boat (which met the Thomas s
just outside the heads at two o'clock this
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
General Smith had retired to his cabin,
where. with his wife and chief ade,
Lieut.. J. II. Shields, of the Twelfth In
fantry, he discussed the outcome of the
long ordeal through which he had
passed.
Six hours later, when the Thomas
reached the quarantine station in the
harbor, Major David Duval, of the trans
port service. boarded the ship with his
secretary and met both General Smith
and Lieut. Shields at the door of the
Generals cabin. Asealed document from
the War Department was handed General
Smith. 1t contained the official notifi-
cation of President Roosevelts action
and upon reading it General Smith re-
tired, ocercome with emotion.
til the United States custom house ten
der Hartley was ready to take the Gen
eral and his party ashore. He denied
himself to all interviewers who We're
met by Lieut. Shields. Together with
his wife and aide General Smith pro-
ceeded to the Occidental Hotel, repair
ing thence to army headquarters in the
Phelan building, where he remained dur
ing the morning.
General Smith has absolutely MOTH
ing to say for publication" said Lieut..
Shields to a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press. "He is not at liberty to
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 has received. The general ad-
mitted to the court martial trying him,
that he had issued orders which in effect
expressed hi desire that the enemy. if
obdurate and unconquerable 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 make 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 civilian
attire, appeared yesterday nervous and
worn. His siXty-two years are plainly
read in his every action, and his intimate
friends fear he s breaking down under
the severe strain to which he has been
subjected in recent months.
1t is not Yet known when General Smith
will proceed East. His sealed orders re-
quire him to report to the Adjutant Gen
eral at Washington and it is likely he
will lose no time in starting for the Ma
tional capital.