Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-04-19
Youthful Cadet Thinks Life Small Matter
Beside Official Dignity.
SECTION OF PRESS DEFENDS KILLING
Others Think Capital Punishment Severe
for Failure to Salute
APPEARS TO Be PROUD OF HIS ACTIONS
Writes Letter TO victims Mother,
Asking Forgiveness, but De-
fends Action in Kill
ing Her Son.

Copyright, 1903 by Press Publishing Coz
BERLIN, April 1s.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram Naval Cadet
Hussner. who slew Artilleryman Hartmann
for neglecting to salute him according to
the formers ideas Of proper Difference, is
under military arrest,
The conservative newspapers defend
Hussner. The social democrats are making
valuable electioneering capital from the
revolving incident. Hussner says that Hart
mann, recognizing him as an old school,
fellow and friend, extended his hand. Hence
his arrest. Lutscher a friend of Hart
mann. who saw the affair, denies this and
says Hussner had in his pocket list Of
private soldiers for punishment for refus-
ing to salute him. II seems to be clearly
an instance Of an ILL balanced mind af
fected by the military arrogance cultivated
here.
Lutscher's story OF the incident is this
Hartmann was about to enter a beer hall
In Essen Sunday night with his friend,
LutscheB when Hussner. a 19-year-
naval cadet. encountered them. Hartmann
was slightly inebriated. Neither he nor
Lutscher saw Hussner until the cadet came
up in a hectoring manner and said to
Hartmann
You failed in your duty by not salut-
Ing me. Accompany me TO the police sta
ton
Hartmann, surprised. said nothing. but
turning, tried to get away along the street.
Hussner pursued with drawn sword, easily
overlook him, struck him on the head.
making Hartmann reel, then drove his
blade into his back. Hartmann fell in a
heap, bleeding both from the head and
back.
Proud of His Act
'Tt all happened in an instant There
was no provoeation whatever. Hussner was
perfectly cool and seemed to feel proud
when he saw Hartmann fall
II caught my friend in my arms He
appeared to choke with blood and died IN a
few minutes, unable to speak. Hussnel
stood by as a crowd collected. and wher
Schroeder. noncommissi0ned ofBcer. at.
traciod by IL, eamesup. 4tussner said yaunt-
tngiy. 4 did this. when I draw my
sword blood must now. This man endeav,
ored to escape arres., for insulting me b!
refusing to salute. l had to defend al
ofhcer's honor at all costs
Schroeder asked Can nothing be done 70
Hartmann But Hartmann was dead
Hussner now became afraid of the threat
ening crowd. and Schroeder hurried him t
a station"
Hartmann's crime was offensive familiar
ity, and that he arrested Hartmann out o
consideration for his personal safety, con
sidering him dangerously drunk. This wa
a mere afterthouRht. Hussner SCENE
surprised that the officials did not applau
his deed. He strutted about the static
with a martial air still hourishing hi
sword, which was streaked half way u
the blade with Hartmann's blood. 1t prob
ably will be pleaded that Hussner toe
was under the influence OF drink, but thos
who saw him can swear that he was onl
intoxicated with self-importance. Hart
mann having been a schoolboy companio
of Hussner's, renders the tragedy all tn
moro horrible while the letter HussnC
wrote to Hartmann's mother plainly show
the influence of the harangues of Germa
militarists. which have from time to tin
startled the world. Some OF the phrase
, employed smack OF Emperor William
choicest lucubrations. The letter reads
Appeals to Mother.
'Tt is IN the deepest distress and so
row for your son that l address m!
self TO you to give you proof
my heartfelt sympathy for you
the loss you have sustained through n
action. Be assured that did not act o
OF hatred or III will against your son.
was my hard duty as soldier. l W
Obliged to enforce obedience to myself, an
to my bitter regret. fate directed my ste
In this unfortunate manner. word
forgiveness from you, honored madam
would be Incompatible consolation, for
the mother forgives, no honorably mind
person can continue to bear grudge."