The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-11-24
COLORED SOLDIERS
TO Be DISCHARGED
DISPATCH RECEIVED FROM PRES.
lDENT REFUSING TO sUs.
PEND ORDER.
SAYS PRESENT FACTS
DO NOT WARRANT 1T
Secretary Taft Tells Why Delay In
Execution Of Sentences Was Or.
dered-Men Will Be Immediately
Replaced.

nSPldCeQs
Washington, Nov. 22.-Secretary
Taft's hands are off in the matter of
the discharge of three negro companies
OF the Twenty-ffth infantry The sec.
rotary Wednesday issued his promised
bulletin on the affair, setting forth
Its history in succinct sentences and
announcing that he had rescinded
his order to delay the dishonorable
discharges.
Mr.. Taft says that the presidents
attitude is unchanged. 1t appears that
the only hope for the colored soldiers
lies in their own willingness to testify
against the members of the battalion
actually guilty of shooting up" the
Town of Brownsville, Texas.
In spite of the presidents stand, the
belief is strong that congress will or
der an investigation of the matter of
the discharge of the battalion. There
is much feeling on the subject among
members already in Washington.
| statement From TAFT.
! The bulletin issued from the depart
ment of war follows:
In the matter of the order dis
charging the enlisted men of three
companies of the Twenty-fifth infan-
try, issued by the president, applica-
ton was presented to the secretary
of war by number of persons of
standing asking for a rehearing by
the president of the ground on which
the action was taken.
"The secretary telegraphed the
president of the application and de-
layed the proceedings of the dis.
charge until the president could in.
dictate his wishes. The secretary
meantime was called out of town. No
answer was received from the presi-
dent.
1.-THE secretary on his return did not
feel justified in further delaying the
execution of the order of discharge,
especially in view of the fact that
the secretary then learned that the
president had fully and exhaustively
considered the argument against the
order of the persons who now applied
for a rehearing. Accordingly the Sec
rotary directed yesterday that the pro-
ceedings for discharge be continued
without delay"
--esiSent Stands by order.
Later in the Day Secretary Taft re-
ceived dispatch from President
Roosevelt, and issued the following
additional statement:
"A telegram was received from the
president at IL o'clock after the pre-
vious statement was given out at the
war department, in which he declines
to suspend the discharge unless there
are new facts of such Importance as
to warrant cabling him. He states
that the action was taken after due de.
liberation, and that the only matter
| to which he can pay heed is the pre-.
sentation of facts showing the Off
cial reports to be in whole or in part
untrue, or clearly exculpating some
individual. If any such facts later ap.
pear he can act as he deems advisable,
but thus far nothing has been intro
duced to warrant the suspension Of
the order, and he directs that it be ex.
ecuted."
Secretary Taft says that immediate
steps will be taken to recruit col.
ored soldiers to replace the men dis
charged. The members Of the three
companies who were on furlough at
the time of the Brownsville affair and
three members who are to be tried by
court-martial will not be mustered out
It was authoritatively stated Wednes
day that the matter of the dismissal
of the troops has not been brought to
the attention of the president by the
White House officials since he left
Washington more than ten days ago
None of the protests which have been
filed against the carrying out of action
have been received at the White
House, but have gone to the war de
partment.