Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-26
RECRUITING OFFICERS
Instructions Issued by the
Military Secretary
ON DISMISSED SOLDIERS
Who May Apply for Re-Enlistment in
the Service.
THEY MUST SHOW INNOCENCE
Of Any Participation in the Browns
vile, Texas, Affair Night of
August 10, 1906.
THEY MUST SHOW INNOCENCE

In accordance with special orders from
the Secretary of War, the military secre-
tary has sent the following instructions to
ali recruiting officers of the army:
Applications TO re-enlist from former
members of Companies B, c and d, 25th
Infantry, who were discharged under the
provisions of special orders, No. $50. War
Department, November o., 1906, must be
made in writing and be accompanied by
such evidence, also in writing, as the appli-
cant may desire to submit to show that he
was neither implicated in the raid on
brownsville Tex, on the night of August
IL, 1906, nor withheld any evidence that
might lead to the discovery OF the perpe-
traitors thereof. Recruiting officers to whom
such former soldiers may apply for re-en-
iistment will advise them of these require
ments and will forward the applications,
when properly prepared, TO the military
secretary of the army for cons dera ton and
investigation of the War Department.
Those Who Had Applied Discouraged.
The Presidents declaration that he will
not permit the discharged members of the
10Th Infantry TO be restored to the army
even by legislative enactment, has thor
oughly discouraged the half dozen soldiers
who had applied for re-enlistment and were
NHlilS III SUBMIT TO any test to establish
their innocence of completely in the Browns
Vile affair. In view of the apparent hope
lessnesS of their cases. under existing con-
dltions. it is not at all improbable they will
Withdraw their applications for re-enlist-
ment from further consideration by the
present admins. "at ion
Sergeant Mngo Sanders. who has had
twenty-siX years hard service in the army,
and Sergeant Samuel w. Harley, who has
had nearly eighteen years service. are
among tn" few vino have applied for re-
enlistment. Each of them submitted afii-
davis to show t1at he did not take part in
the townsville raid. and that he had no
knowledge on the subject. These affidavits
wer" from their officers and comrades who
wer@ the only persons having absolute
kncwledg" of the wherca bouts of the appli-
cants on the night of the raid. They made
as complete an alibi is possible under
the circumstances. and il is admitted that
therr is no incriminatn~ evidence " iat-
ever against cithe: of the men
Not Satisfied With Evidence.
ii = military authorities However, are not
salts 'cd With the evidence submitted and
havc told the men to get mere affida Wits
sho" ing their Innocence. Inasaiuch as the
men lave already submitted all Tie evidence
that Is available they do not know how to
meet the requirements of the recruiting Of
Ulcers. The main problem with them is how
10 SATISFY the authorities that they do not
"oiii INNS tIlsit HiiSHt leaQ 10 the de-
lection of the guilty ones 1t is now inti-
mated that none of the discharged soldiers
VIII be re-enlisted unless he supplies evil
dence against his comrades Considering
the personal benefits that would accrue it is
regarded as remarkable that not a single
one of the 10 men discharged for the
brownsville raid has ventured even a sus-
picion or opinion of the guilt of any of his
comrades despite the rewards offered and
assurances Of immunity from punishment
The only explanation, according to some
officers is that the men really have no
actual knowledge on the subject, for other
wise 1t would have been impossible for them
TO have maintained such an attitude
throughout the long period when they were
under close surveillance and frequent ex-
animation.