The Washington times., 1902-07-17


su-sl AIT is s.mma-ily retired iroa
active service, hav.rs reached the az
OF sixty years.
The verdict OF th- ccurt-Ina r;:ai foun
lim gril;y Of rcprehers!bie ccnG1ct al,
violations OF the articles ct war. ald th
sentence was that h be publicly reqci
manded by the Pres:d.at of the Cn:;.t
sta5es. The Prlsid ms reprimand he
cached the War Department
The President not only severely II.
'aigns General Smith fos what he term
violent and inconsidarate" Language
iut also orders his ia>aediate retire
uent from the army on the ground th.
,e is over sixty-two years of age.
Maj. Littleton ". "a ancr. wny plead
il defense OF his actions that he hal
.ceived orders from General Smith, is
SO arraigned for not having used bet
II judgment and having accepted liter
ly the remarks of General Smith .is
'ders. 1t is remarked by the Presidcn;
at the fact there was not more serious
ouble as result of General Smiths
marks was due to the good sense aul
sdom of his subordinate officers.
The Presidents Review.
The Presidents comments follow:
White House.
Washington, July u, 1902.
BY the President:
The findings and sentences of the
RI q I oil ~
danger and great difficulty OF the
sk our army has had in the Philip
le Islands and cf the well-nigh in
cradle provocatiCns it has received
I'm the cruelty, tTeachery, and total
regard Of tie rules and customs o.
illzed warfare on the part OF its
:.
/ also heartily approve the employ
Mt OF the sternesJ measures neces-
: to put stop to such atrocities and
bring this war to a close. 1t would
cUllaDle to show weakness in deal
with such toes or TO fail 20 Use all
itinate and honora lie methods to
rcome them.
But the very fact that warfare is OF
character as to aGord inbnite pro
alton tor he commission OF acts OF
city 5y jan.or office. and the enlist
men must make the oiIiceIs in high
responsible position peculiarly care
IN their hearing and conduct. SO as
Keep a moral check owe, any acts of
improper character by their subor-
stes.
Almost universally the higher officers
so borne themselves as to supply
necessary check; ami with but lew
options the officers and soldiers Of
army have shown wonderful kind
and forDeaTance in dealing with
T foes. But there have been excep-
s; there have been instances of the
OF torture and of improper heart
ness in warfare en- the part of in
iuals or small detachments.
q the recent campaign ordered by
,ral Smith the shooting OF the ma
bearers by the orders of Major Wal
Eas an act which sullied the Amer
name and can be but partly excus-
because of Major Walters mental
ition at the time; this mental con-
being due to the fearful hardship
suffering which he had to undergo
s campaign.
is impossible to tell exactly how
influence language like that used
eneral Smith may have had in pre-
g the minds OF those under him for
commission of the deeds which we
l.
of high rank is always likely TO
wrongdoing on the part OF those
his subordinates whose wills are
or whose passions are strong
neral Smith has behind him q long
distinguished for sallantry and
whole for good conduct Taken
full, his work has been such as
lect credit upon the American army
therefore, upon the naticn; and il
ply to be regretted that he should
so acted in this instance as 10 in
with his further usefulness in
rmy ] hereby direct that he be
from the active list.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Secretary Roots Comment.
etary Roots remarks on the case
follows:
war Department.
"Wsshington, July Il, 1902.
he President:
transmit herewith the record and
dings upon the trial OF Brig Gen.
H. Smith by court martial con
under your order dated April y.
nd now brought before you as re
authority.
ieral Smith was found guilty Of
Hillary discipline in that he gave
fall of 1901 TO Major /. ". T. I.
of the Marine Corps, then scrv- 4
tn battalion of marines under
iers as commander Of the SiX.h .
te Brigade in Samar the follow
Il instructions:
want no prisoners. | wish you
and burn: the more you kin .
irn the better you will please
nd further that he wanted all
killed who were capable Of
arms and in actual hostiiities
the United States; and did in
question by Major Waller
for an age limit designate the
II as ten years of age.
court sentenced him TO be ad-
ID by the reviewing authority;
court appended to the sentence /.
lowing explanation:
court is thus lenient in view
indisputed evidence that the ac-
i'd not mean everything that his
ined language implied; that his
lates did not gather such
:; and that the orders We're
yecuted In such sense notwith-
that desperate struggle was
nducted with cruel and saw
Deems Conviction Just. /,
tamination OF the evidence has