Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25

Significance was attached to the fact
that the members of Aston Camp, under
whose auspices the campfire was given,
are all former regular. soldiers of the
United States army, and that every man
among them was either disabled in the
war with Spain by either disease or bull
lets. =
Best Interests Of Army.
Commander Mitchell began by saying
that army officer had asked him what
the Spanish War Veterans thought of the
action of their comrade in the White House
in discharging three companies of the 25th
Infantry. He replied he said. that oil
American soldiers have the greatest faith
in Col. Roosevelt and his judgment; that
I'VE do not believe he has erred in this
matter, and that what he did was for the
best interests of the entire American army
and for good citizenship generally"
Capt Mitchell intimated that had the
three discharged companies been composed
of white troops there would perhaps have
been no protests, no Indignation meetings,
nor communication to the newspapers con-
demning the Presidents course.
The Presidents decision In the matter
the department commander insisted, was
based upon the evidence before him. That
evidence was furnished by tried and trusted
army officers of long experience in the
military service. 1t showed that American
soldiers wearing the uniform of their coun-
Iiy ldO COHiiLittcu ali ACT VI OutldWTy
which, had 1t been committed by men,
white or colored, not wearing the army
uniform nor SEEKING protection within
military post, would have resulted in their
arrest and punishment by the law they had
violated. But it seems, he said, to be the
purpose Of those who are uttering their
indignant protests that shooting up
town and killing law officers, besides en-
dangering the lives of innocent women and
children, should have been passed by with
out punishment to the offenders.
Color Question in Another Guise.
He also stated that in the last analysis the
matter would be found to be but the omni-
present color question in another gutse. He
said theoAmerican soldier had more latitude
and is treated with more consideration than
the soldiers of any other country under the
sun. They should therefore be the best SOL
diers. Brave and intrepid in war, they
should be models of good citizenship and
the tue guardians of the people and the
law in time of peace. The quiet judgment
of the great American people. which is an
alytical and just, has rendered it's verdict
he believed, and it is that President Roose-
welt acted conscientiously and to the best
Of his judgment. and in doing so gave the
entire army square deal.
The department commander deprecated
the false impression that he said, is
dent has turned against the col
ored race" as one of the writer's on
the subject intimated, and pointed to the
Booker Washington incident to disprove the
assertion. He referred to the action of
President Roosevelt in seeking to protect
the uniform of the regular soldier and max
ing it respected everywhere, as shown by
his contribution to the fund for the sailors
Island for ejecting them from a public en-
tertainment, and declared that the Pres
ident was the true friend Of all true Amer
lean soldiers, be they colored or white.
Difficult Matter to Decide.
THE case Of the colored soldiers Of the
25th Infantry" Commander Mitchell said
in conclusion, was a difficult one to de-
eide. but contend that in his decision
after weighing all the evidence presented
to him Col. Roosevelt was almost Solo
monte. He acted in the best faith and had
the offending troops been as white as the
lily their fate would have been the same
you can rest assured the Brownsville in
cident will not be repeated In the future"
At the conclusion Of the remarks the
soldiers present, regulars and volunteers,
gave vent to their confidence in Com
rade" Roosevelt by hearty soldier yells and
cheers.
Capt. orville G. Victor of the Bordman
Smith Camp of United Spanish War Veter-
ans Of Rochester. N. T.. followed in a
strong speech in support of the Presidents
action In dismissing the colored troops
He said he Endorsed the remarks of Com
mander Mitchell to the letter, and pre-
diced that Spanish War Veterans from
the Icy waters of Maine to the blue Paci-
fc" would also indorse the address and
take action in support of President Roose-
welt, as would all law abiding American
soldiers and good citizens, colored and
white.
The sentiments of the department COM
mander were later, on motion of Acting
Quartermaster j. F. Sullivan of Aston
Camp. unanimously Endorsed by rising
to that effect and present them to the
President upon his return to this city.
Commander G. e. Rausch of Miles Camp,
who Is native Texan, said the people of
Brownsville were law abiding He was
glad to see gathering of soldiers repre-
senting SO many states Of the Union and
every branch of the military service In
dorse the Presidents action, which was
for the best interests of the army" He
were highly regarded by the people of Fort
Sam Houston, Tex, when that regiment
was stationed there.
Should Stand by Roosevelt
Department Inspector e. L. Cogan said
the Spanish War Veterans should stand by
Col. Roosevelt. "a man who had always
stood by the country and particularly the
soldier and he believed they would do so
to a man.
Acting Commander George W. Marin of
Gen. Andrew s. Burt Camp. Capt. Henry
Foster, w. E. Powers, Charles Kessler, A.
d. Cole, Charles A. Sleet and George w.
Brooke junior vice department commander
Endorsed the remarks of Department Com