Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-08-02
SMITH CRUSHEp BY THE NEWS
General Did Not Expect President 20
Take Action IN His Case
So soon.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 1y--standing on
the bridge Of Thomas eagerly waiting With
the ships captain for q glimpse Of his ma
tive shore, General Jacob II. Smith, tried
by court-martial for having ordered the
Island Of samar transformed into a bowling
wilderness, was doomed this morning to
1rst learn that the president had retired
him from active duty.
The pilot boat which met Thomas Just
outside the heads at o'clock this morn
ing brought to General Smith the first news
of the presidents action. In the failing
light Of 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, whore. with his wife
and chief aide. Lieutensnt T. II. Shields
of the Twelfth infantry, he discussed the
outcome of the long ordeal through which
he had passed
Six hours later, when Thomas reached
the quarantine station 20 the harbor. Major
DuvaI Of the transport service boarded the
ship with his secretary and met both Gen.
eral Smith and Lieutenant Shields at the
door Of the mems cabin. A sealed docu-
ment from the War department was handed
to General Smith. 1t contained oficiaI no.
tihcation Of President Rooseyelt's action.
and on reading II General Smith retired
overcome with emotion.
General Smith was not seen until the
United States custom house tender Hart
ley was ready to take the general and
his party ashore. He then denied him
self to all intervlewers, who were met by
Lieutenant Shields. Together with his wife
and aide 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 to a representative Of the Asso-
ciated Press. He Is not at liberty ia
! talk, and furthermore, has nothing to say
He has been hopeful that the president
would not take action agninst him and Of
course feels keenly the force OF the blow
he has received. The general admitted tc
the courtmartial trying him that he had
issued orders which in effect expressed
his desire that the enemy, II obdurate
and unconquerable, be not spared-in fact
that the country be laid waste and nc
prisoners be taken. The literal construc-
tion OF these orders and their exact in
terpretation made up the bulwark Of evil
! dence Of the oourtmartial There is nt
doubt but that General Smith did not NEAR
all he said. He certainly did not expect
the action which the president has taken
General Smith. who is wearing civilian
attire, appeared exceedingly nervous and
worn. His So years are plainly read In hii
every cotton end hia Intimate friends feal
he is breaking down under the severe strair
to which he has been subjected in recen
months. It is not yet known when Gen
eral Smith will proceed east His sealet
orders require him TO report TO the adju
tant general at Washington, and it Il
likely he win lose no time in starting fo
the national capital.
Repeated efforts made ,srifrg the da,
! TO induce General smtn - discnss VI
campaign in the Philippines and his court
martial failed entirely. he even declined t
take up the subject with intimate friends.
The transport Thomas brings portions o
the Twenty fifth and Twenty-sixth infantr-
regiments and Tenth cavalry.