The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-07
The Singular Case OF Bennick

of his stomach than of the rights OF
man, it may go hard with FREDERICK
GUsTAvE BENNICK, clerk to Captain
c. MGR. WINsLow of the cruiser Charles
ton. Mr.. BENNICK is under arrest for
absence without leave from his ship
constructive desertion itmay be termed
but discipline must be maintained. As a
matter of fact, Mr.. BENNIcK is a martyr
to duty, although that view of the ase
may not be taken by the squad Of ma
rines that arrested the captains clerk
on the arrival Of the steamer Harmodius
from Buenos Ayres at Boston or Wednes-
day. The marines are the cynics Of the
service, and absences without leave look
alike to them.
tragedy Of the triumphal tour of the emf
nent Secretary of State under the South
ern Cross. When the Charleston touched
at Rosario word came from the traffic
manager Of the Buenos Ayres Railroad
that a supply Of fresh game would be
left for his Excellency at a designated
place on shore. 1t may be assumed
hat the Secretary Of State, following
an illustrious example, ia fond Of taking
pot luck with the crew when on ship
board, and a hot bird or a venison steak
would be a welcome change from salt
horse. The Captains clerk vas detailed
to take charge Of the gift for the Secre-
tary of State.
Mr.. BENNICK was not familiar with
the topography of Rosario and could
not make his mission known in the Ian
guage of the country. After navigating
futilely up and down the water front
he learned that the game was two miles
inland. There was a plentiful supply Of
it, some carcasses and a heap Of birds,
and it became necessary to requisition
native help to carry the gift OF the cour-
teous traffic manager to the wharf. II
happened to be an intensely hot and
b~reathless day, and when Mr.. BENNIcK,
directing the movements of the bearers,
arrived at the point Of Decentralization
much valuable time had been consumed
and the Charleston vas vanishing under
forced draught toward the Straits Of
Magellan.
The resourceful BENNICK comman-
deered a launch belonging to an Argen-
tine cruiser and gave chase, but to no
purpose. He later reported to the Hon.
A. NJ. BEAUPRE, the American Minister,
and was put to work in his Office pending
the result of an official report to the Navy
Department. Mr.. BBAUPRE, it seems,
interpellated Washington five times
about the hapless captains clerk with
out learning what his fate was to be. At
last orders came to send BENNICK home
by the first steamer. When his foot
touched his native heath he was SOL
EMMY put under arrest by a whole file
of marines.
According to the articles for the gov
eminent of the navy, something must
be done with Mr.. BENNICK. He has been
absent from his station or duty without
leave, and may be court-martialled. His
leave expired when the Charleston sailed.
He has made himself amenable to such
punishment as a court-martial may
adjudge." Captain WINsLow lost his
services for several months, and the
Secretary of State a supply of game that
was essential TO the plenipotentiary
comfort. In a despotism BENNICK no
doubt would have to walk the plank,
fguratively speaking. There must be
the usual order. The captains clerk
will have to explain his s%ojourn in the
Purple Land to a board of officers and
suffer co%nstructively the penalty pre-
scribed.
1t appears to be a case for clemency
for the int~ercessiOn of the Honorable
Secretary Of State and a full pardon by
the Commander-in-Chi of the Navy.
who perhaps might gazette BENNICK for
distinguished conduct in making a stern
chase Of the Charleston in the launch of
a foreign Government.