The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-02
SAITH LEARNS FAIE.
Appraised of the Action of
Roosevelt, on Board Ship.
OVER COME WITH EMOTION
He Retired to His Cabin and
Remained Silent.

san Francisco, Aug. 2-standing on the
bridge Of the Thomas eagerly waiting
with the ships captain for a glimpse Of
his native shore, General jacob II.
Smith, tried by courtmartial for having
ordered the island of samar transformed
into a bowling wilderness, was doomed
this morning to first learn that the pres
ident retired him from active duty. The
boat which met the Thomas just outside
the heads this morning, brought to Cen
eral Smith the first news of the presi-
dents action. In tie failing light of a
pinnacle lamp the veteran read the mes
sage that appraised him of his fate. An
hour later the dawn came and with it the
sight OF land, but General Smith had re-
tired TO his cabin where with his wife
and chief aide Lieutenant J. II. Shields,
he discussed the outcome Of the long
ordeal through which he has passed. Six
hours later when the Thomas reached
the quarantine station in the harbor, Ma
jor Duval. 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 General Smith. 1t con-
tanned the official notification of President
Rooseyelt's action and upon reading it,
General Smith retired, overcome with
emotion. He was not seen again until
the United States custom house tender,
the Hartley, was ready to take the gen
eral and his party ashore. He then de-
MED himself to all interviewers, who were
met by Lieutenant Shields. Together
with his wife and aide General Smith
proceeded 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 nothing
to say for publication said Lieutenant
Shields TO a representative of the Associ-
ated Press He is not az liberty to talk
and furthermore he 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 adj
,nitted TO the courtmartial trying him
that he had issued orders which in effect
expressed his desire that lie enemy, if
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
bulwark of evidence against the general
at the courtmartial. 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 civil
ian attire. appeared exceedingly worn and
nervous. His 81 years of age are plainly
read in every action and his intimate
friends fear he is breaking down under
the severe strain to which he has been
subjected in recent months
It is not known as yet when General
Smith will proceed east. His sealed orders
require him 10 report 10 the adjutant
general at Washington and it is likely he
will lose no time in starting east.
Repeated efforts made during the day
to induce General Smith TO discuss his
in the Philippines and the court
martial which followed as sequel to his
work, failed entirely. He even declined
to take up the subject with intimate
friends. The transport Thomas brings
portions of the Twenty-ffth and Twenty
sixth infantry regiments and Tenth cav
airy