The Washington herald., 1907-03-14

The Senate Committee on Military Az
fairs. which is investigating the Browns
vile raid had a lively discussion in
executive session yesterday over the mat
ter Of calling Secretary Taft to make a
statement before the committee.
The question. Of calling the Secretary
OF War was brought up by Senator Fora
ker who declared that Secretary Taft
had sent samples Of cartridges and shells
to the ordnance department for expert
examination and explanation as TO
whether they had been fired in certain
type Of guns, what sort Of guns it would
be possible 10 fire them in, and other
information relative 10 their use.
1t was intimated that he was doing this
FOR the purpose Of sustaining the Presl-
dents contention that the bullets found
imbedded I'm houses fired into in Browns
Vile had been discharged from Spring
field rifles the kind used by the soldiers
at that fort, and the cartridges and clips
alleged TO have been picked up in the
streets the morning after the raid were
used I'm Springfield rifles Senator Fora
kcr from time 10 time has sought to
bring out in the investigation testimony
to show that the cartridges used in the
army can be fired from Mauser rifles.
Other members of the committee got the
idea that Mr.. Foraker resented the al
legged interference Of Secretary Taft in
the matter
Turn on Foraker.
Senator Overman. in turn, charged-and
was supported by several other members
OF the committee-that Senator Foraker's
concern in this matter was simply TO in
ject the race question into the investiga-
tion by making it appear that the Secre-
tary of War was adopting measures 10
maintain the Presidents position that the
soldiers did the shooting. Senator For
aker disclaimed any such intention, and
declared that his sole aim was 10 get AT
the facts in the case.
1t was not decided TO call the Secretary
of War, but it was agreed that Senator
Foraker should be permitted TO bring be-
fore the committee such information as
he was able 10 regarding the examination
of cartridges and shells by officers Of the
Ordnance Department.
Lieut.. Edwin P. Thompson Twenty
sixth Infantry, was the first witness called
yesterday. He was left in charge of prop
erty at Fort Brown. when the Twenty
sixth Infantry was ordered away pending
the arrival OF the Twenty-ffth COMPANIES.
He thought Il was possible, although im-
probable. that citizens might have pro-
cured cartridges and clips from the piles
OF rubbish which accumulated about the
garrison during the moving process He
knew that the soldiers sometimes did
leave their clothing behind. and said that
some Of the discarded uniforms might
have been taken away by Mexicans.
He had heard of the threats against
the cOIored troops by people Of Browns
VILE when they learned that the white
soldiers were 10 be replaced by cOlored
men. Brownsville policemen wore uni
forms similar 10 the khaki uniforms of
the soldiers.
Sergt. OsbUrn Recalled.
Sergt. Rowland Osburn, post quarter
master, was recalled, and said that in
checking up property 10 turn over to the
Twenty-hfth Infantry. many shells. cart
ridges, and bandoliers were found lying
around loose. He estimated also that the
white soldiers left about ten discarded
uniforms
Capt. Edgar. assistant surgeon at Fort
Brown for two years, testified that he
practiced I'm the town, and there was
general condemnation Of the sending OF
colOred troops 70 Fort Brown. DR..
Combes. the mayor Of the town, who was
formerly a major IN the volunteer service,
had told him that ne had had some ex-
perience with coIored troops, that he had
returned 10 this country from Manila
with part Of the Twenty-ffth, and that
personally he had no objection to them,
but the people of the town would not
stand for them.
Capt. Edgar despite the fact that he
enjoyed a good practice in the town, gave
the population generally anything but
praise, and volunteered several state
ments. TO which Gen. Warner took ex-
CeptiOn Capt. Edgar did not think there
were 1000 Americans out Of the entire
S,003 population. lie mentioned the names
Of number whom he would not believe.
among them being several who had made
statements regarding the shooting. One
of these was the landlady Of his boarding
house. She was inclined 10 talk a great
deal, he said. and always magnlied and
exaggerated everything. He would not
accept her statement
Not Lawabfding.
Generally, the people were not law
abiding, he said, although Dr. Combes,
as mayor, mad accomplished some re-
forms. There was frequent shooting at
night. and the policemen frequently at
tackled and beat the soldiers when they
found them slightly intoxicated. He told
Of many instances where he had been
summoned 20 treat soldiers who had been
beaten up" by the police
One soldier was shot in the thigh by a
policeman. Capt Edgar took leave of
absence while stationed at Fort Brown
and was married. but he added hastily.
without being interrogated upon the sub
ject Il would not allow my wife to as
sociate with the people down there"
Capt. Edgar said he came from Penn
syVania, and preferred cOlOTed soldiers to
white soldiers, because their discipline was
better.
Claims Tcsfafor of V-usouud sFfnJ