Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-20
!. 5. TROOPS BES|EGED
Serious Situation Develops at
Brownsville, Tex.
CITIZENS MAKE THREATS
Senator Culberson Asks Transfer Of
Negro Troops.
INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY
Trouble Started Through Shooting Of
Civilians by Enlisted Men Of
~ 25th Infantry.


In teiesraphic correspondence today with
President Roosevelt at Oyster Bay in re-
gard to the situation at Brownsville, Tex,
where three companies of the 25th Infantry,
siege by citizens guard of $50 armed
men. whose avowed purpose 1t Is to shoot
any Of the soldiers who attempt to leave
the garrison to enter the city. The mill
tary reservation which borders the RIO
Grande river is separated from the City Of
Brownsville by high brick wall, and 1t is
along this wall that the citizens guard il
stationed. In order to avoid possible trou-
BILE with the citizens strict orders have
been given by the officers in command
against any Of the soldiers attempting to
enter the city during the present excite
ment.
Several kilograms have been received at
the War Department from officials and citi-
Gems of Brownsville asking for the removal
Of the colored troops from that vicinity as
the only means of restoring peaceful con-
ditions. One Of these was from Senator
Culberson at Dallas, Tex. saying that he
is informed that there is danger of further
riot and bloodshed at Brownsville unless
the negro troops are Immediately removed. :"
The text of the senator's telegram fol-
lows: Since the receipt of your telegram
of yesterday officials and citizens OF
Brownsville have wired me again to the
effect that there Is danger of further riot
and bloodshed at Brownsville unless the
negro troops are immedia tely removed /
respectfully suggest that the War Depart
ment could within a day get a telegraphtc
report from the commanding officer at Fort
Brown as to the conditions there and on
which action could be based Please wire
me what the people there may expect.
&c. 4. CULBERSON."
Inquiry Being Made.
All Of the kilograms received at the
War Department have been forwarded to
the President.
Meanwhile the War Department off,
Gals are awaiting the results of the in
vestigation into the shooting affair at
Brownsville on the 14th instant, in which
a civilian was killed and fhe chief OF Do
lice injured in the right arm, the shoot
Ing having been done. 1t Is said, by en-
listed men of Fort Brown. Maj. Penrose,
the officer in command Of the post. saws
that he Is conducting a most thorough In
vestigatfon and Is working in perfect
harmony with the citizens committee and
the mayor of Brownsville, but that as vet
he has not been able to clearly establish
the responsibility for the trouble nor TO
definitely discover the guilty person or
persons.
There Is no doubt that the War Depart
ment officials will see that any OF the SOL
diers who offended against the laws Of the
state of Texas or the army regulations will
be punished, but at this stage Of the case It
Is difficult to predict what action win be
taken with regard to the request for the re-
moval Of the coiored troops from that post.
Transfer Of Troops Urged.
The officials do not like to be put in the at
titude Of Furnishing the entire battalion for
the faults Of a few Of its members nor do
they like to be put in the position of recoe-
MIXING classes in the military service.
1t has been suggested that In case II "a
found expedient to transfer the colored
troops to some other post that the post at
Fort Brown be abandoned in accordance
with the present policy of the War Depart
ment Of doing away with the smaller gar
risons wherever possible.
Maj. A. p. Blocksom OF the inspector gem
erals department, who was orGered 10
been instructed to act as promptly as pos
sble. He will probably make telegraphic
report to the War Department Of the result
Of his investigation. and 1t Is said there WIN
be no delay in action at this end of the line.
The matter Is in the hands of the Presi-
dent, and 1t will be for him to say what
shall be done In the premises.