Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-13
NAVY STIRRED UP
Resentment Caused by Admi-
raj Evans Criticism.
COMMENT ON COURT
PROTEST FILED BY PAYMASTER
BISCOE.
It is Believed That Nicholson's Sen
tence Should Have Been Heavier
Case Before the Secretary.

Considerable interest is being manifested
in military circles generally with respect 10
Secretary Moodys action on the protest
filed with him by Paymaster Harry T..
Biscoe against the language used by Rear
Admiral Evans, commanding the Asiauc
fleet, in reprimandng the court-martlai
which tried Assistant Paymaster Nicholson,
of which court Paymaster Biscoe was a
member. Paymaster Nicholson was charged
with drunkenness and scandalous conduct
tending to the destruction of good morals
and the specifications were to the effect
that while intoxicated he made an assault
on the German consul at Cheefoo, China,
during the progress of public ball In
that city. The officer pleaded guilty to the
charge of intoxication, but pleaded justin
cation for the alleged assault. The court
sentenced the officer to be reduced five
numbers in his grade with corresponding
loss of pay In disappearing the sentence,
Rear Admiral Evans took occasion 10 re-
fleet in very severe terms on the members
OF the court. He described the trial as a
travesty of justice and, referring to the
fact that three officers of the court recon-
mended clemency, said:
These three officers, Lieutenant Will
liams. Paymasters Biscoe and Venable nave
proved to the converting authority ana 10
the fleet their unworthiness hereafter to act
as members of a court and not again Will
they be placed in a position OF passing
judgment upon other persons or guaroing
and maintaining the honor ana dlSHi'y u
the naval service ,
He also taxed them with having small
idea of the binding quality of the oath
they took as members of the court
The members of the court. were capt.
Urel Sebree, president; Commander Will
liam A. Marshall Lieut.. Com. Arthur w.
Dodd Lieut.. Com. Thomas W. K!nkaid
Lieut.. Philip Williams, Paymaster Harry
Assistant PaVmaSt6r
George R. Venable with Lieut.. John l.
Tompkins as judge advocate
Admiral Evans Criticism Resented.
Paymaster Biscoe made formal protest
to Secretary Moody against Admiral Evans
language as an unjust and uncalled for
reflection on the members of the court, and
an improper exercise of his powers as a
reviewing officer. Although Mr.. Biscoe is
acting independently in the matter 1t is
known that he is backed by strong circle
of friends in and out of the service, Who
feel that he as wei as the other members
of the court have been unjustly treated.
The case of Paymaster Nicholson Is a
closed incident, and figures only incidentally
in the pending issue. The question Tor
Secretary Moody to determine is whether
Admiral Evans has exceeded the bounds
of propriety in rejecting upon the honor
of his brother officers. There Is no ques-
ton as to his right to express ms opinion
Al to the adequacy of the penalty prescribed
nv the court but 1t is contended by some
officers that he exceeded that right in de-
nouncing members of the court by name
According to them the naval service is In
badly demoralized condition, If it Is true
that officers who are subject to court
martial duty cannot be trusted to guard
or maintain the honor and dignity of the
service" or if their 'consciences are blunted
nv their nreiudices'' to such an extent that
they do not appreciate the binding quality
of an oath.