Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-07
WANT TO RE-ENL|ST
Arrival of Two Discharged
CoIored Infantrymen.
ASSERT THEIR INNOCENCE
Know of No Silence Conspiracy
Among Their Comrades.
WILL SEE SECRETARY TAFT
Gilchrist Stewart Asserts That He Can
Prove the War Department Of
fcials All Wrong.
WILL SEE SECRETARY TAFT

Two Of the members Of the 25th Infantry
who were discharged without honor be-
cause they happened to be at Brownsville.
Tex, at the time Of the alleged ARRAY, Au-
gust 10 last, are in this city for the purpose
Of asking the military authorities to give
them an opportunity of showing their inno-
cence of any misconduct and to permit
their re-enlistment in the army. These men
are First Sergeant Mingo Sanders % Com
pany B and Private Elmer Brown OF the
same company.
Each has made formal application to the
Secretary of War for permission TO re-en-
list In the army. They acting indie
pendently, and in making their application
claim that their previous service in the
army has been honest and faithful which
is an essential requirement In all cases or
establishments. They applied directly to
the Secretary Of War instead of to the reg
ular recruiting office for the reason that In
no other way can their present disabilities
be removed.
Made Soldierly Appearance.
Sergeant Sanders called at the War De-
partment yesterday afternoon and asked
the privilege of laying his case before Sec
rotary Taft. The Secretary was busy at
the time. but said he would try to him
this morning. Accordingly, Sergeant San
ders appeared at the department again this
morning. But this time he was accompanied
by Private Brown, whose errand was prac-
tically the same as his own. Both men
were in full uniform and made striking
appearance. owing to their good physique
and straight soldierly bearing.
That they are true and tried soldiers was
shown by the service stripes on their
sleeves Sergeant Sanders displayed six
stripes showing that he was in his seventh
enlistment, and Private Brown had four
stripes his sleeve. In other words, San
ders has already rendered twenty-stx years
faithful service in the army and in four
years would be eligible for retirement on
three-quartefs pay. Brown has had sixteen
years continuous service.
Both soldiers maintained a dignif1ed
silence regarding their cases, and ~ecined
to say anything for publication at this
time. From their friends 1t is learned
that both of them were asleep in their
hunks at the post at the time of the al
legged midnight raid. and have absolutely
no knowledge of the affair. or of the iden-
tity of the participants. They Doth court
the fullest investigation of their military
record and of their conduct during the
tire time the battalion to which they were
attached was stationed at Brownsville.
Both denied knowledge of any conspiracy
among the members and each declared his
Willingness to assist the authorities In any
way in his power to ascertain the facts and
punish the guilty.
Secretary Taft was busy on his annual
report at his house all the forenoon, and
from there went to the White House to at
tend the cabinet meeting. The soldiers
therefore were unable to see him this MORN
ing. They were told by Mr.. Carpenter.
Secretary Tafts private secretary, that he
would see the Secretary this afternoon and
make an appointment for them to see him
in day or two.
What Gilchrist Stewart Claims.
1t seems that Mr.. Gilchrist Stewart, who
went to Fort Reno to investigate the
80 he
tutional League of New York, and who was
expected to come here to give the President
the result of his investigation. has gone to
New York instead to confer with his asso-
ciates before taking further steps in the
matter.
Mr.. Stewart made an address at a meet.
ing in st. Marks Church in New York
last night in regard to the matter, In the
course of which he claimed that ne HAD
evidence to prove that the men who did
men, and not negroes, and he declared
that the officers who found exploded shells
which they claimed had been picked up
by citizens in the street erred In their
Characterization. He claimed that only
four men of the battalion were out of their
quarters the night of the shooting, and
also said he was able TO prove by reputable
citizens of Brownsville that the officers
who reported on the case were preJudiced
against the negro soldiers.
Major Blocksom Here.
Maj A. P. Blocksom of the inspector
generals department, one of the officers
who investigated the Brownsville affair.
has arrived in this city from his station
at Oklahoma City, in response TO sum-
mons and, with Inspector General Car
lington, has been in conference with Sec
rotary Taft relative to the character OF
the answer to be submitted to the Senate
resolutions in regard to the discharge of
the colored battalion These resolutions
have been received, and were discussed at
the meeting Of the cabinet today.