The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-02
First Hears of Presidents Action
When Transport Arrives at
San Francisco.
ORDER COMES BEFORE DAWN.
Man Who Commanded That Samar
Be Made a Howling Wilder
ness Declines to Discuss
Outcome of His Case.

| San Francisco. Aug. 1.-Standing on the
bridge of the Thomas. eagerly waiting with
| the ships captain fo- a glimpse OF MS ma
| tive shore, General Jacob H. Smith. tried
! by court-martial for having ordered the
/ Island OF Samar transformed into bowling
| wilderness. was doomed this morning 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
morning brought 20 General Smith the first
news Of the Presidents action.
In the falling light Of a pinnacle lamp the
veteran read the message that apprised
| him of his fate.
An hour later the dawn came and with
il the sight of land but General Smith had
retired to his cabin. where. with his wife
and chief aid. Lieutenant J. II. Shields of
the Twelfth Infantry. he discussed the out
come Of the long ordeal through which he
had passed.
Official Notice of Retirement.
Six hours later, when the Thomas ar
rived at the quarantine station in the har-
Dor. Major DuvaI Of the transport service
boarded the ship with his secretary, and
met both General Smith and Lieutenant
Shields at the door of the Generals cabin.
A sealed document from the War Depart
ment was handed Genera, Smith 1t con-
tained the official notification of President
Roosevelt's action, and upon reading It
General Smith retired. overcome with emo
ton.
General Smith was not seen again until
the United States Customhouse tender, the
Hartley, was ready to take the General and
his party ashore. He then denied himself
fp oiT frra a,,-fau
tenant Shields. Together with his wife and
his aid, General Smith proceeded TO the
Occidental Hotel, repairing thence 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 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 admitted to the court-mar-
tial trying him that he had issued orders.
which, in effect. expressed his 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 made up the bull
wark Of evidence against the General at
the court-martial.
President's Action Unexpected.
There is no doubt but that General,
Smith did not mean all he said. He GER
tainiy did not expect the action which the
President has taken"
General Smith, who has been wearing
civilian attire. appears exceedingly nervous
and worn. His 62 years are plainly read in
his every action. and his intimate friends
fear he is breaking down.
1t Is not yet known when General Smith
will proceed East. His sealed orders re-
quire him to report to the Adjutant Gem
eral at Washington, and 1t is likely he will
lose no time in starting for the national
capital.
Repeated efforts made during the day to
induce General Smith to discuss his cam
paign in the Philippines and his court-mar-
tial failed entirely. He even declined to
take up the subject with intimate friends.
The transport Thomas brings portions of
of the Twenty-ffth and Twenty-sixtb In
fantry regiments and Tenth Cavalry.