Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-08-31
TO COURT MARTIAL YOUNG.
Secretary Bonaparte Disapproves
Findings In Bennington
Court of Inquiry.
TWO OFFICERS CHARGED WITH
NEGLECTING DUTY.
Commander Lucien Young And En-
sign Charles T. Wade To
Stand Trial.

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparfe has
ordered that a court martial be con
yened to try Commander Lucien
Young and Ensign Charles 1. Made
for neglect of duty in connection with
the explosion ON the gunboat Benning-
ton in the harbor Of San Diego ON
July 81.
The order that Ensign Wade he
plaeed on trial was expeeted-the
| court of inquiry had so recommended.
Mr.. Ronaparte's decision TO court
martial Commander Young comes as a
great surprise. In the proceedings OF
/ the court of inquiry no mention was
made of any culpability on the part
| of Commander Young.
Secretary Bonaparte concurs with
| the finding Of the court OF inquiry
with respect to Ensign Wade, who
was in charge of the engine and fire
| rooms of the Bennington at the time
of the accident, but he does not ap.
near to believe that the charges
against Ensign Wade are sufficient
and lie has ordered that further
charges OF neglect of duty be prepared
The Secretary differs with the court
in regard to the discipline and etfi-
cheney of the ship. He says that the
evidence shows that the enlisted force
of the engineering division had been
permitted to fall into habits of laxity
and inattention in the discharge of
their duties, and that at least. some
of this force were also imperteotly
instructed regarding their duties.
Secretary Bonaparte says that II
gives the Department great satisfaction
to approve the courts Communications
of the officers of the ship and their
conduct after the explosion occurred.
Lieutenant A. T.. II. Yates receives
special praise. Commander Young
and Ensign Wade arc included in this
approval.
Line officers of the navy were
startled when the announcement was
made That Mr.. Bonapafte had taken
the proceedings Of the court OF ln-
quiry in hand, reviewed them ana,
contrary TO custom, reversed the court
in several instances and ordered the
uourt-martial of the7commanding Off
Ger when the court Of inquiry had not
held Commander Young a whit re-
sponsible.
Secretary Bonaparte, the newest of
all Cabinet officers, by ordering Com
mander Young's couTt-martial, has
filing to greater extent than was
thought probable his promise made
last month in public statement that
the Bennington disaster would be in
vestigated thoroughly and no one
would be whitewashed nor any one
made a scapegoat. If the commanding
officer of the Bennington was in any
way culpable Mr.. Bonaparte proposes
to see that he Is punished.
Commander Young will probably be
placed under arrest at once, although
il cannot be learned at the Navy De-
partment that this is the intention OF
the Department or that it has been
ordered. 1t is highly probable, how
ever, that orders have already gone to
the Pacific Coast TO formally arrest
the commanding officer of the Ben
nington. The vessel is now at the
Mare Island navy yard, where the
court martial of Commander Young
and Ensign Wade will probably be
held. The members Of the courts will
be designated within few days.