The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-24

Murfin, of Detroit Mich Senator Murfin
left last evening but Mr.. Bannon remained
over night with his uncle.
General Smith lived at Portsmouth before
the civil war, but since 1861 has been in the
regular army. Since his enforced retire.
ment he will again take up his residence
at Portsmouth General Smith has not
given up hope Of being restored to his for
mer position In the army" said his nephew
last night. ''He will not take up the mat
ter actively until after this campaign. We
expect to attend the National Encampment
at Washington, and while there the general
will advise with his friends in the matter
He does not want to take any steps hastily,
but prefers to be well advised before taxi
ing any action"
General Smith did not attend the lunch
con given in honor of President Roosevelt
at the Columbia Club yesterday, although
to receive the President. The truth is that
General Smith does not feel just in touch
with the administration since he was re-
tired by Mr.. Roosevelt, after the finding
of the court-martial. ION his arrival here
to-day" said Mr.. Bannon, General Smith
was handed an invitation to attend the
luncheon at the Columbia Club, at which
the President was to be the guest of honor.
He declined to attend the luncheon for
the reason that he did not want to have It
appear that he in any way placed himself
be presented to the President when 1T was
probably the wish CT that executive not to
see him. He also felt guided by the mill
tary regulation which provides that SOL
dier is not expected to have an audience
with the President under any circum-
stances. unless at the request of the Presi-
dent The situation was very embarrass-
ing to General Smith, owing to the courtesy
extended to him by the club, which, under
the circumstances, he felt compelled to
decline. General Smith had no personal
reasons other than those above mentioned
for avoiding a meeting with the President.
He would, in fact, had the opportunity
been favorable, have been glad of such an
thing to gain and nothing to lose by such
an interview. General Smith felt that IL
President Roosevelt desired to meet him
the matter was in his hands,
General Smith was tried by court-martia1
for alleged intemperate language in the
presence of subordinate officers in the
Philippines. 1t was alleged that he said
to Major Waller, of the marine corps
XIII and burn; the more you kill and burn
the better you will please me-" 1t was
those he should kill General Smith replied
''All over ten." and added that the interior
of Sanar was to be made "a bowling
wilderness" In speaking of the work Of
the court-martial last night Mr. Bannon
said: The court found that he did use the
language charged but as Major Waller was
of the marine corps and not a part of Cen
eral Smiths command at that time, and as
the language used was only a part of a
cursory conversation and not given
in the case was that General Smith should
be admonished by the President The
President instead reprimanded Smith, and
as he had just passed his sixty-second
year, retired him from active service under
the military regulation which permitted
him TO do so, on the theory that he was
not a fit example for junior officers and
that he had outlived his usefulness"