The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-02
Author of "KiII and Burn'' Re-
 turns fun Scenes of Action
GIVEN RETIREMENT ORDER
General Smith Says He Is Deeply Af- fected-Friends Fear He Will Break Down Because of Strain Under
 Which He Has Worked.

San Francisco, August 1.-Standing on the bridge of the Thomas, eagerly wait ing with the ships captain for a glimpse of his native shore, General Jacob H. Smith tried by courtmartiai for hav- ing ordered the island of Samar trans ferred into bowling wilderness, was doomed this morning to first learn that the President had retired him from the active list
 The pilot boat which met the Thomas just outside the heads at ? o'clock this morning. brought to General Smith the first news of the Presidents action.
 In the light of pinnacle lamp, the vet eran read the massage apprising him of his fate.
 An hour later the dawn came and with 1t the sight of land. but General Smith had retired to his cabin. where with his wife and chief aide, 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, Major Duval, of the transport service, boarded the ship with his sec retary and met both General Smith and Lieutenant Shields at the door of the generals cabin.
 official Notification.
 A sealed document from the war de- pertinent was handed General Smith. It contained the official notification of President Roosevelts action, and upon reading 1t General Smith retired, over come with emotion.
 General Smith was not seen again until the United States custom house tender, the Hartley, was ready to land the party ashore. He denied himself to all inter viewers, who were met by Lieutenant Shields. Together with his wife and aide, General Smith proceeded to the Oc cidental hotel, repairing thence to army headquarters in the Philan buildings. where he remained during the morning.
 General Smith has absolutely nothing to say for publication" said Lieutenant Shields to a reIsesentative of the Asso- ciated 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 received.
 Admitted Issuing Order.
 "The general admitted to the courtmar- tial trying him that he had issued orders which in effect 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 construction of these orders and their exact interpretation made up the bulwark of evidence against sae general at the court martial There is no doubt but that General Smith did not mean all he said He certainly dfd not expect the action which the president has taken"
 General Smith, who is wearing civilian attire rfe nervous and worn. -4 aus are plainly read in hl s sto tind his intimate friends fear liking down under the severe straj ito which he has been subjected in re enbsmonths.
 It is not yet known when General nith will proceed east. His sea or 1ers require him to report to the ao tant general at Washington and it is likely he will lose no time in starting for the national capital.
 Repeated efforts made during the day to induce General Smith to discuss his campaign in the Philippines and his court martial failed entirely. He even declined to take up the subject with intimate friends.
 The transport Thomas brings portions of the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth in- fantry regiments and Tenth cavalry.