Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-29
OFFICERS SENT TO PRISON.
Members of Chicago's Crew in Trouble
in Venice Italy

A dispatch from Venice, Italy, yesterday
says: All the members Of the crew of the
United States cruiser Chicago, arrested for
disorderly conduct, have been sentenced to
terms Of imprisonment ranging from three
to four months each.
Captain Robert f. Wynne, commanding
the marine guard Of the Chicago; Robert
E. Ledbetter, assistant surgeon Of the Chi
cago; Lieutenant John s. Doddridge of the
Chicago, and a marine named Wilfred
Langley, who were arrested Friday night
on the charge Of disorderly conduct, We're
brought I'D at the San Marco police court
here today. Captain Wynne was sentenced
to four months and ten days Imprisonment.
The other prisoners were sentenced TO three
months Imprisonment. All the prisoners
We're sentenced to pay costs and damages.
1t Is understood the prisoners will pay the
costs Of the trial and compensate the per-
sons who sustained injuries as result Of
their disorderly conduct. Two of the in
jured persons claim f16o $500 each.
A Statement Cabled For.
Secretary Long has cabled directly to
Captain Dayton of the Chicago, at Venice,
for statement of the facts connected with
the arrest of some of the officers of that
ship at Venice. So far there has been no
official report on the subject to either the
State or the Navy Department. Secretary
Long and Admiral Taylor both expressed
the opinion today that tile matter was not
a serious one. The statements SO far made
through the press dispatches are not suffi-
GENTLY precise to enable the officials here
to form a judgment as to the amount of
turpitude involved in the officers conduct,
and they are disposed to await official ad-
vices before expressing an opinion. 1t is
expected that as matter of comfy, If for
no other reason, the Italian authorities
may turn the prisoner over to Captain Day
dealt with according to the United States
naval regulations, for an enforcement of
the sentences of confinement in jail would
create a very disagreeabe impression
among naval officers
Robert Francis Wynne is son of the first
assistant postmaster general and is we'll
known in Washington. He was appointed
second lieutenant in the Marine Corps after
joining the District regiment Immediately
after war with Spain was declared. He was
in the fight at Guantanamo, and won dis
tinction there and elsewhere in Cuba. He
then was assigned to the Oregon and sailed
around the Horn to the Philippines, where
he had hard service, chiefly in the nature
of outpost duty. He was in the battle Of
Novelette, where he acquitted himself with
great credit. He was sent with the marines
to China, under Major Waller, during the
siege of the legations, and was in the five
days march to Tien Tsin. Major Waller
recommended him for bravery. For four
teen hours during the battle of Tien Tsin
he was under fire, and Colonel Meade rec
commended him for gallantry. He was in
the long march to Pekin. and once fell from
sheer exhaustion. Indeed, throughout his
service he displayed courage and endurance
of the highest order. He was made ranking
marine feet officer in recognition of his fine
service, and is due to reach Washington in
July next. He is twenty-five years of age.
and was a member Of the old Washington
Fencibles..
Captain Wynne's many friends in WASH
ington believe when all the facts are known
1t will be found that he did nothing dis
honorable.