Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-07
FOR COURT MARTIAL
Court Of Inquiry on Chicago's
Officers.
NO FURTHER ACTION
ADMIRAL CRoWNINSHIELD DIS
APPROVES FINDINGS.
Regards the Evidence as insufficient
Italian Ambassadors
Comment.
NO FURTHER ACTION

Secretary Moody today gave out for pub
llcation the following memorandum in re-
gard to the case Of the officers Of the
cruiser Chicago, who were arrested by the
civil authorities in Venice a few weeks ago
and imprisoned for an alleged disturbance
of the peace and subsequent alleged resist
ance to the police authorities:
The court of inquiry recommends trial
by court-martial of Lieut.. John s. Dod-
dridge, Z. s. N; Capt. Robert F. Wynne
U. S. NJ. c.; and Assistant Surgeon Robert
E. Ledbetter, U. S. NJ, on the charge Of
unbecoming behavior in public, and that
no further action be taken in the case of
Naval Cadet James C. Kress, U. S. N, and
Private Wilfred Langley, U. S. NJ. c.. Ad-
mral Crowninshield has disapproved Of the
opinion and recommendation of the court
of inquiry where it is adverse to the off,
GERS, on the ground that the evidence is not
sufficient
Action of italian Court.
The incident which resulted in the arrest
of the officers named occurred in Venice
the latter part of April. The italian court
before which they were tried sonte need Cap
tain Wynne to Imprisonment for four
months and ten days, and the remainder of
the party to three months Imprisonment
each. After they had been confined few
days, the King Of Italy at the instance, Of
United States Ambassador Meyer, exercised
his royal prerogative and issued a full and
unconditional pardon to all the men and
they returned to duty on board the Chicago.
A few days later, the Secretary of the
Navy instructed Captain Craig the acting
commander of the European squadron, to
convene court of inquiry for an investi-
cation of the case. Captain Dayton, COM
handing the Chicago, was president of the
court and the inVeStfQati uofo RI
on board that vessel while lying at Naples
In the meantime, Rear Admiral Crownin-
shield arrived on the station and relieved
Captain Craig of command of the squadron
1t was by virture of his office as command
er-in-chief of the station that he reviewed
the proceedings and findings of the court.
No Further Proceedings.
There will be no further proceedings in
this case, according to the present inten-
tion of the officials. 1t is true that court
OF Inquiry, being convened merely to advise
commanding officer or the Secretary of
the Navy as to the necessity for court
martial does not bind either Of them en-
tirely. They are at liberty to disregard
the findings If they see fit. Likewise Sec
rotary Moody might disregard Admiral
Crowninshield's action and himself direct
Iurther proceedings But the present case
does not warrant such action in the opinion
or the officials. The grounds upon which
Admiral Crowninshield disapproved the
findings, namely, the insufficence of evil
dence, VIII not, it is believed, give any
onense to the Italian government Adj
mlraI Crowninshield does not find that
the Italian court erred but he does find
that, situated as the Chicago is, it is not
possible to secure the evidence which would
Justify the assembling of a court-martial
Ihis decision of the Navy Department to
re1ra1n from carrying the case further is
pased entirely upon a cabled and conse-
Quently brief report of the action of the
court of inquiry and Of Admiral Crownin-
shield.
In accordance with it's regular itinerary
the European squadron is scheduled to
leave Castellamare today for Gibraltar,
where the Buffalo will meet it about. the
18th instant with consignment of enlisted
men and petty officers to exchange From
Gibraltar the squadron is slated to sail for
Lisbon, Admiral Crowninshield on the Illi-
nols going on to Spthead for the corona
ton ceremonies.
italian Ambassadors Comment.
When informed Of the findings of the
court of inquiry this afternoon the Italian
ambassador, Signor Mayor des Planches,
expressed personally entire satisfaction
with the case as it now stands, and said he
felt reasonably sure that his government
would hold the same view, inasmuch as the
courts recommendation for court-martial
In the cases of three of the officers in effect
INDICATED the action of the Italian tribunal.