The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-07
DISMISSED
 NEGRO TROOPS. President Takes Stren- uous Step. IS AFTER WHITE OFFICERS Companies Who Figured in Browns
 vile Outrage Out.
Dismissal in Disgrace From Army of an Entire Battalion of CoIored q Infantrymen, Was Unprece- dented in Military History.

Washington, Nov. s.-Unpreceden- ted in the history of the army of the United States Is the action of the President just announced in dismiss ing in disgrace from the army an en- tire battalion of colored troops be- cause of their failure to disclose the identity of some of their number who had been guilty of violence and mur' der.
 As an evidence, however. of his intention to be fair. to the colored troops. the President has accompanied this action by an order which may white army officer of high grade who was charged with having cast slurs upon the coiored troops. The story of both actions is told .r the following official correspondence, made public today by the military secretary:
 ''The report of an investigation made by Brigadier General P. A. Gar lington, inspector general of the army relative to the riotous disturbance that occurred at Brownsville, Texas on the night of August IS, 1906 and that resulted in the death of one and the wounding of another citizen o' that rity, has been considered and act ed upon py the President. Following are his instructions In regard to the matter:
 Orders of President.
 White House, Washington. Nov. 6. 1s06..
 'The Secretary of War:
 T have read through General Gar lington's report dated October 22nd, submitted to me by you. I direct that the recommendation of General Gar .1ington be compiled with and that at the. same tire the concluding DOT ton of. his report be publlshed with our sanction as giving the reasons for the action.
 (signed) Theodore Roosevelt" Following is the concluding portion of General Garlingkon's report whirh embraces the recoInsn endations, that by direction of the President will be carried into effect Immediately by the War Department:
 1T recommend that orders be issued as soon .as, practicable discharging without honor. every man in Companies B. 0 and ID of the 18th Infantry, serv- ing at Fort Brown. Tex, on the night of Aug. 16, 1906, and forever debarring them from re-enlistiug in the army or navy of the United States as well aJ from employment in any civil capacity, | under the Government In making | this recommendation, r recognize the fact that number of men who have | no direct knowledge as to the Identity | of the men of the 25th infantry who actually fired the shots on the night of the 18th of August, 1906, will insure this extreme penalty.
 "It has been established by careful l investigation beyond reasonable doubt l that the firing into the houses of the | citizens of Brownsville while the in- l habitants thereof were pursuing thei: peaceful vacations or sleeping, and by which one citizen was killed and the i chief of police so seriously wounded
 that he lost an arm, was done by en- listed men of the 25th infantry, be- 1 longing to the battalion stationed at Fort Brown.
 h After due opportunity and notice, the enlisted men of the 25th infantry have failed to tell all that it Is req sonable to believe they know coneerT- ing the shooting. If they had done SO; if they had been willing to relate all
 the circumstances, instances preiimtn ary to the trouble, 1t is extremely probable that, clue sufficiently deh- mite to lead to results would have been disclosed. They appear to stand to- gether in a determination to resist the detection of the guilty; therefore, they should stand together when the penalty falls.
 FOrceful Lesson to Army. l A IOfCGIui lGSSDn SilOulu DG 6lNOiA " the army at large, and especially to the non n-commissioned officers, that their duty does not cease upon the drill ground at the calling of company rolls, making check inspections and other duty of formal character. but that their responsibilities of Jf1ce accompany them everywhere and at all time; that
 1t is their duty to become thoroughly acquainted with the individual mem | to r. their characteristics, to be able at all time to gauge their temper in order to discover the beginning of discontent ! or mutinous intentions and to amount l to any organized act of disorder: that they must notify their oricers at once ! of any such condition. Moreover, the ' people of the United States, wherever they live, must feel assured that the men wearing the uniform of the army 1 are their protector and not midnight 1 assassins or riotOus disturbers of the l peace of the community, wherever they
 may be stationed
 "On October 5, 1906. a squadron of the 9th Cavalry, an organization of negro troops, reported at Fort Sheri- dan, near Chicago, H., under orders from the War Department assigning l them to duty there Soon after this | assignment there appeared in the pub lie press the following account of a l statement alleged to have been made | with regard to the matter by Colonel 1 William Y. Pitcher, 27th Infantry:
 After White Omeer's Scalp.
 The negro troops would never have been quartered at Fort Sheridan | without a protest if l was to remain in command here said Colonel Pitch rer T never liked them and the far ther away from me they are kept the