The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-07-17
GEN. SMITH RETIRED
ACTION IN CASE or NHELL.-
ROARING JAKE"
Author of the Famous Kill and Burn
Order Peremptorily Put on
the Active List by
aE Roosevelt.

Washington, July 16,-Secretary Root
brought from oyster Bay the case of Cen
eral Jacob H. Smith. tried by court mar
tiaI at Manila on account Of orders is
sued to Major Waller.
General Smith was found guilty of the
charges by the court and sentenced to be
admonished by the reviewing authority.
The President has also admonished Cen
eral Smith and retired him under the
law which provides that officers having
reached the age of 81 years may be re-
tifed at will by the President.
Secretary Root supplements the repri-
niand of President Roosevelt in a long
circular in which he explains the condi-
tiers which resulted In the court martial
Of General Smith and shows that all
the Ugh Smith issued the kill and burr
order. as a matter of fact. very few per-
sons wero killed as result Of that or
der. the casualties being confined almost
wholly to the e'even natives killed under
Major Walters direction.
Following is the text of the Prssfisnt's
review of the case:
white House.
washington. July 1s. 1902.
by the President:
'"rhe finding and sentence of the court
are approved. / am well aware Of the
danger and great difficulty of the task
our army has had In the Philippine is
lands and Of the we'll nigh intoIerable
provocations it has received from the
cruelty. treachery and total disregard Of
the rules and customs OF civilized war
fare on the pat of its foes. l also hear
tily approve the employment of sternest
e. .kx,
atrocities and to bring this war to
close.
at would be culpable to show weakness
in dealing with such forces or to fail TO
use the legitimate and honorable methods
10 overcome them But the very fact that
warfare Is of such character as to af-
ford infinite provocation for the commits
sion of acts OF cruelty by junior officers
of enlisted men, must make the officers in
high and responsible positions particular
~ careful in their bearing and conduct, so
as to keep a moral check over any acts
OF improper character by their subordi-
mates. Almost universally the higher Of
hcers have 20 borne themselves as to sup
ply this necessary check; and with but
few exceptions the officers and soldiers
of the army have shown wonderful kind
ness and forbearance in dealing with their
foes. But there have been exceptions.
there have been instances OF the use gof
the torture and of improper heartless-
lessness In warfare suppose individuals
or small deteachments. In the recent
campaign ordered by General Smith the
shooting of the native bearers by the in
dorsers of Major Waller was an act which
sulIied the American name and can be but
PARTLY excused because Of Major Waller
mental condition at that time; this men-
tai condition being due to the fearful
hardship and suffering which he had nm.
dergone in his campaign. II Is impossible
to tell exactly how much influence Ian
guage like that used by General Smith
have had in preparing the minds of thosr
under him for the commission of tht
deeds which we regret. Loose and via.
lent talk by an officer Of high rank Il
always like to excite to wrong doin'
those among his subordinates whose will
are weak or whose passions are strong.
General Smith has behind him loni'
career distinguished for gallantry anf
ON the whole for good conduct Taken II
the full, his work has been such as to
reflect credit upon the American army.
and. therefore, upon the nation; and 1t is
deeply to be regretted that he should
have 30 acted In this instance as to in
terfere with his further usefulness in the
army.
Il hereby direct that he be retired from
the active list .,.,,.S..5a.,..