The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-02
GEN. SMITHAT FRISCO
BAD NEWS GREETS THE SAMAR
COMMANDER.
TAKES HIS RETIREMENT HARD.
NO RETURNING HERO BUSINESS IN
HIS CASE.

Received News of the Presidents Ac-
ton in His Case at an Early Morn
ing Hour and Later the OfficiaT
Document From War Department.
Was Greatly Cast Down and Denied
Himself to All Cemers-Feels
keenIy the Force of Blow He Has
Acknowledgements Nervous and
Worn as One Who Has Been Under
a Great Strain.
San Francisco, Aug. 1.-Standing on
the bridge of the Thomas, eagerly
waiting with the ships captain for a
glimpse of his native shore, Gen. Jacob
II. Smith, tried by court-martial for
having ordered the island of Samar
transferred into bowling wilderness,
was doomed this morning to first learn
that the President had retired him
from active duty. The pilot boat which
met the Thomas just outside the
Heads at 2 o'clock this morning,
brought to Gen. Smith the first news
of the Presidents action. In the fail
ing light of pinnacle lamp the vet
eran read the message that apprised
him of his fate. An hour later the
dawn came, and with it the sight of
land but Gen. Smith had retired to
his cabin, where, with his wife and
chief aide, Lieut.. j. H. Shields of the
Twelfth Infantry, he discussed the out
come of the long ordeal through which
he had passed. Six hours later, when
the Thomas reached the quarantine
station in the harbor, Maj. Duval of
the transport service boarded the ship
with his secretary and met both Gen.
Smith and Lieut.. Shields at the
door of the generals cabin. A
sealed document from the War
department was handed Gen. Smith. 1t
contained the official notification OF
President Roosevelts action, and up
on reading it Gen. Smith retired, over
come with emotion.
Gen. Smith was not seen again until
the United States Custom House ten
der, the Hartley, was ready to take the
general and his party ashore. He de-
MED himself to all interviewers, who
were met by Lieut.. Shields. Together
with his wife and aide. Gen. Smith pro-
ceeded to the Occidental Hotel, repair
ing thence to army headquarters in the
during the morning.
Shields Talks for Smith.
Gen. Smith had absolutely nothing
to say for publication, said Lieut..
Shields, to a representative of the AS
ISOLATED Press. HE is not at liberty
to talk, and, Furthermore, 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 admitted to the court
martial trying him that he had
issued orders, which in eff
feet expressed his desire that
the enemy, if obdurate and
unconquerable, be not spared: in fact,
that the country be laid waste and
no prisoners be taken. The literal
exact Interpretation made up the bull
wark of the case against the general
at the court-martial. There is no
mean all he said. He certainly did
ident has taken"
Gen. Smith, who is wearing civilian
attire, appeared exceedingly nervous
and worn. His 60 years are plainly
read in his every action, and his init
mate friends fear he is breaking down
under the severe strain to which he
has been subjected in recent months
1t is not yet known when Gen. Smith
will proceed East. His sealed orders
require him to report to the adjutant
general at Washington, and it is like
ly that he will lose no time in starting
for the national canifal