New-York tribune., 1906-11-07
NEGRO TROOPS OUT.
DISMISSED IN DISGRACE.
President Acts on Brownsville II air
an Officer Mag Be Tried.

Washington Nov 6-The President, Il has tust
been announced. has dismissed in disgrace from
the army the entire battalion OF Negro troops con-
oerae6 IN the Brownsville CTeX) riots, because OF
their failure TO disclose the identity of those OF
their number who had been guilty OF violence ana
murder As evidence o. his intention 10 be Iair
20 the coloTed troops. tho President has accom-
panied this set by an order which may amount to
IN. court martial Of white army officer of high
grade who charged with having cast slurs on
rhe Negro troops The story OF both actions is told
IN the following official correspondence made pubic
to-day BY the military secretary:
The report Of an investigation made by Brgadier
General L. A Darlington, inspector genera % eao
cured at brownsville Tex. on the night Of Au-
slst Is 1856 End hat resulted 10 me of hat
city. has been considered snd acted upon Dy Inc
President Following are his instructions win Ie-
The White House, Washington Nov. 5; t:,, 1906:
General Gsfiing5ons report dated October q sub
I55se 10 me py yeq; a6r aTsGI o be compiled
with ane that at the same tiI1e & fne our ssIctio5
g5ving The reasons for the action.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
GENERAL GARLINGTON's REPORT
Following IS the concluding portion Of General
GarIington's report, which embodies the recon-
rnendations that by direction OF the President will
be carried into effect Immediately by the War De-
partment:
I recommend that orders be issued soon as
e companies B. { and D. Of the 18th Infantry:
serving Fort Brown. Texas, on the night OF
Eeensns IN the army army or n8y Gf f., 5hs s Tnfed F
cspsriitv ur5er ~. soyernn5te2t In making this
recommendation, ! recognize the fact that num-
The identity Of the men Of the 18th Infantry who
actually fred shots the night Of August 13,
1eaS viii incur this extreme penalty: .
Il has been established by careful investigation
houses Of the citizens Brownsville while the in
habitants thereof We're pursuing their peacefuI No-
killed and the chief Of police SO seriously wounde9
the 25ta Infantry. Belonging 10 the battalion sta
toned at Fort brown. after dqe opPoEtu1lIy P , ana
failed tell al that it IS reasonable 10 believe they
know. concerning the shooting II they had done one
,uTnstances-instances preliminary 10 the trouble
efnite 10 lead 10 results would have been disclosed,
rsssf f5e detecr3o of lie guilty.: Therefore they
-oud stand together when tIle penalty falls. \
rs that their drtI, Goes not cease upon the drill
round with the calling of the company rolls max
ilg check Inspections. and other duty Of formal
character but that their responsibilities OF Office
accompany tlem everywhere and at AL times: that
- .i.sr, '3II5 sis - H.,
units 10 know their characteristics; 10 be able at
cover the beginning Of discomfort or OF mutnous
Intentions, ana 10 anticipate any organized act ot
disorder, that they notify their officers at
once Of any such conditions.
ever they live, must feel assured that the men
wearing The uniform q the army are their pro-
tectors and not midnight assassins or riotous dis
tllTherS of the peace OF the community in which
CRITICISM OF NEGROES
on October ;. 1906 A squadron of the 9Th Cavalry,
an organization Of Negro troops reported at Fort
Sheridan. near Chicago. under orders from the War
Department assigning them 10 duty there. Soon
after this assignment there appeared IN the public
press the following account Of statement alleged
20 have been made with regard 10 the by
Colonel William /. Pitcher. 27Jh Infantry:
The Negro troops would never have been quar-
feTed Al Fort Sheridan without a protest II was
20 remain in command here" said Colonel Pitcher.
Il never liked them, and The further away from me
they kept, the better II plesses me. For the
life = me 1 cannot why the United States
should Try 10 make soldiers cut OF them. Certainly
there are enough fine white young men IN this big
country 10 make soldiers Of without recruiting from
such a source"
This alleged statement by Colonel Pitcher having
been brought the attention Of the President, the
following communication with regard 10 it was sent
% the Wsr Department BY Secretary Loeb:
The President directs that an immediate report
or not he is correctly quoted IN the inclosed clip
directs that proceedings be taken gainst him for
such punishment be inflicted. The Presi-
d@nt thinks that such conduct IS but little better
than that of the offending Negro troops themselves
Nery truly yours. WILLIAM LOEB. Jr..
Secretary 10 the President.