The Washington times., 1905-11-26
Doctors Sworn to Sc
crecy, While Marines
Guarded Grave.
STARTLING DISCLOSURES
New Testimony May Show
That Other Mfddies Died
After Fighting.

ANNAPOLIS. Nd. Nov. 25.-when
the order was received from the Navy
Department today authorizing the
autopsy. a BODY OF marines were al
once placed On guard around the
grave Of MIdshipman Branch.
No one was permitted TO come
within thirty yards of the spot. A
number of persons with cameras were
ordered of the grounds.
The body was exhumed late this
evening. and the post mortem ex-
animation Will be made tomorrow.
The doctors who viii conduct the
autopsy are sworn 10 secrecy. and
viii make no statement as to the re-
suit of their investigation except 10
the court
1t was learned tonight that on the
day OF Branch's death Meriwether
wrote letter to Admiral Sands re-
questing the appointment of a board
OF inquiry 70 ascertain the facts and
circumstances of Branch's death.
1t cannot be learned that any
action was tahen on Meriwether's re-
quest
Startling Disclosures Expected.
Judging by the comment heard herr
and there from officers OF tina Naval
academy. there IS every indication thar
some startling disclosures wiH be made
next Week when counsel for Meriweth-
ef calls Medical Inspector Howard Z.
Ames 70 he stand.
II : believed that the testimony q
Medical Inssector Ames r-lu throw =
deaths of Midss fy5meR Clark Az5 Eaftla
reference Il shlch has already -
brought on N the testimony OF DR.. Z.
p. Stone 4 witness for the prosecution.
Aidsh1 nan Battle had been tno<-
oughly examined IN December. 1895. and
was pronounced up to the standard. and
yet early in this year he fell dead in
the ranks at supper formation. In Mid
shipman Clark's case. he was given =
thorough entrance examination on the
18th OF July. 1895. Two days later he
was sent to the hospital and on the 9Th
Of July he died from an em5olis.a Of
the brain
Victim Of the cods2
The impression prevails ihat whsn
Medical Inspector Anses is put on The
stand il viii be developed that these
two middies had engaged IN fights like
the Branch Aeriwether mix-up and
that their deaths were aue primarily %
the punishment they received. Dr. Stone
stated on the stand yesterday that Bat
ties death was inexpiieable-
In the case OF Clark the testimony
showed that the condition of his brzla
at tbs. autopsy was similar In appear
ance 10 the condition OF Branch's brain
as revealed By the operation performed
by DR.. Finney. OF Baltimore. And
Battles sudden death was attributed 10
an old injury Of the brain Now The
question being asked IS. Was The death
of these TWO midshipmen the result OF
lights forced by the eode2 If there is
evidence OF this II can be brought out
tsnder the ruling OF the court made This
afternoon in not susta iafng The objec-
ton of Captain Wainwright who OBJ
iected to the admission Of any mora
testimony Of ii hearsay charaetera and not
hearing directly On the issue al trial
The court ruled that the defense could
Introduce any witness and testimony
that counsel for the defense wanted. but
purely hearsay testimony would be ex-
the continuance OF testimony To estab-
Hsh the fact that fights have been con-
Quoted with the tacit approval OF those
in authority.
Exonerates Sands.
The disclosures brought out at the trial
shall not it is said be held against
Admiral Sands, who has only been IN
charge of the Academy several month";,
but the conditions testified 10 existed
almost openly under the previous admin
istration of the Academy. The Merl-
weIher court-marsial has developed into
now that the lid cannot be forced down.
Middies Were Reticent.
The niddles called By the defense to-
day were somewhat reluctant 10 testifyg
that is. they realized that their tes1t-
mony could not be otherwise than 20
seriously reflect on the Naval Academy
management. and every mldshipman
has a personal pride IN the Institution.
In tat. course OF teday's proceedings
testimony piece by piece was brought
or that when rut together clearly show
ed that Branch, as Meriwether's senior.
did rot overlook opportunities 10 have
Aeriwether listed. and to make his lie
miserable.
Officers knew OF different nights. baf
no punishment was melted out 10 those
engaged in them. save once or twice.
when demerits were marked against tbs
mlddy's record. not. however. for tight
ing but for disorderiy conduct
According 10 the testimony OF Church,
hill Humphrey. of the second class, who
toa l,aar, :. leading witness Ear fhe