Arizona republican., 1906-11-07
BATTALION
 DISMISSED
Negro Rioters at Ft. Brown
 Out of the Army.
The President Intimates that a Colonel Pitcher Will be Broken.

Washington, Nov. 6.-Unprecedented in the history of the army of the Unit ed States is the, action of the president. which has just been announced, in dis missing in disgrace from the army, an entire battalion of negro troops, be- cause of their failure to disclose the identity of some of their number who had been guilty of violence and mur- der. As an evidence however, of his in- tention to be fair to the colored troops, the president accompanied this action by an order which amount to the court martial of a white army officer of high rank, who was charged with having cast slurs upon the colored troops. The story of both actions is told in offic- ial correspondence made public today by the military secretary.
 The report of an investigation made by Brigadier General F. A. Darlington, inspector general of the army, relative to the riotOus disturbance that occurred at Brownsville Texas, on the night oi August 18th, and that resulted in the death of one and the wounding of an other citizen of that place. was ap- proved by the president, who directs that the recommendations of General Darlington be compiled with
 Following is the conclusion of the generals report, which may embody the recommendation of the president which will be carried into effect imme- diately by the war department:
 T recommend that orders be issued as soon as practicable, discharging without honor, every man in Compa- nies B. C and D oi the 18th Infantry serving at Fort Brown, Texas, on the ,F debarring them from re-enlisting in the army or navy of the United States, as well as from employment in any civil capacity. Tn making this recOmmen- dation. I recognize the fact that number of men who have no direct knowledge of the identity of the men of the 18th Infantry who actually fired the shots on the night of the 18th of August, 1906, will incur this extreme penalty"
 On October 9th, 1906, a squadron of the Ninth Cavalry. an organization of colored troops, reported at Fort Sheri- dan, under orders from the war depart ment assigning them to duty there Soon after this assignment there ap- peared in the public press the following account of a Statement alleged to have been made with regard to the matter by Col Pitlher, 27th Infantry:
 The negro troops would never have been quartered at Fort Sheridan with out a protest if I was to remain in command here" said Colonel Pitcher. 'I never liked them, and the farther away from me they are kept the bet ter it pleases me. For the life of me I cannot see why the United States should try to make soldiers of them Certainly there are enough fine white men in this big country to make sol diers of without recruiting from such source"
 This alleged statement by Colonel Pitcher has been brought to the atten- ton of the president The following communication with regard to which this message was sent to the war de- partment by Secretary Loeb:
 The president directs that an imme- diate statement be called for from Col. l Pitcher to know whether or not he is correctly quoted in the enclosed and, if he is correctly quoted. the president desires that proceedings be taken against him for such punish ment as may be inflicted. The presi- 1 dent thinks that such conduct is but little better than that of the offending negro troops themselves.
 ''Very truly yours
 "WM LOEB Jr..
 Secretary to the President"