The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-11-09

ccdcnted III the history of the army
Of The United States is the action of
the President. justified, in dismissing
in disgrace from that army an entire
battalion of colorcd troops because of
their failure to disclose the identity Of
some Of their number who had been
guilty of violence and murder. As an
evidence, however, of his intention to
be fair to the colorcd troops, the Pres
idcnt has accompanied this action by
an order which may amount to the
Court-martial of a white army officer
of high grade who was charged with
having east slurs upon the colorcA
troops. The story Of both actions is
told in the following official CORES
pondencc made public today by tho
military secretary:
"rhc report of an investigation
made by Brig Gen. f.. A. Darlington,
inspector general of The army, rela-
tive to the riotous disturbance that oc-
currcd at Brownsville, Texas, on the
night of August 13, 1906, and that re-
suited in the death Of one and the
wounding of another citizen of that
city, has been considered and acted
upon by the President. Following are
his instructions with regard to the
matter:
"The White House, Washington,
November S, 100G-Thc Secretary Of
War: l have read through Gen. Gar
lington's report, dated October 22d,
submitted to me by you. direct that
the recommendations Of Gen. Garling-
ton be complied with, and that Mt the
same time the concluding portion of
his report be published with our sane.
tion as giving the reasons for the ac>
ton.
(Signcd.) "Thcodore Roosevelt -
Following is the concluding por-
tion of Gen. Darlington $ report,
which embodics the recommendation,
that, by direction of the President,
will be carried into effect Immediate,
ly by the war department:
81 recommend that orders be issued
as soon as practicable discharging,
without honor every man in Compan-
les B, G and D, of the 25th infantry,
serving at Fort Brown, Texas, on the
night of August 13, 1906, and forever
debarring them from re-enlisting in
the army or navy of the United States
as we'll as from employment in any
civil. capacity under the Government
klE making this recommendation I re-
eognixe the fact that number Of
men who have no direct knowledge as
to The identity of the men of the 25til
infantry, who actually fired the shots
on the night Of the 18th of August,
1906, will incur this extreme penalty
Troops Stood Together.
"It has been established by care
ful investigation beyond reasonable
doubt that the firm" into the houses
Of the citizens Of Brownsville, while
the inhabitants thereof were pursn-
ing their peaceful vocaions Of sleep
ing, and by which one citizen was kill
ed and the chief Of police 50 seriously
wounded that he lost an arm. wa.
done by enlisted men OF :hc 25ih i'll
infantry. who actually fired the shots
stationed at Fort Brown. After due
opportunity and notice, the enlisted
men of the 18th infantry have failed
to tell all that it is reasonable to be-
Iicvc they know concerning the shoot
jng. If they had done so, if they had
been willing to relate all the circum-
stanccs-instanccs preliminary to the
troublc-it is extremely probable tina,
a clue sufficiently definite to lead tu
results would have been disclosed
They apepar to stand together in II
determination to resist the detection
of the guilty; therefore, they should
stand together when the penalty falls
A forceful lesson should be given tc
the army at large, and especially tt
the non-commissioned officers, thai
their duty does not cease upon the
drill grounds, with the calling Of the
company rolls, making check inspcc.
tons and other duty Of formal char.
acter: but that their responsibilitic.
Of office accompany them everywhere
and at all times; that it is their duty
) TO become thoroughly acquainted viii