Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-23
CAPT. K0EHLER
COURT MARTIAL
PRIEST. Roosevelt DjsappToves OF
The Findings oil ACquittal and
Indorses Taft's View.
SAYS III MADE POOR SHOWING.
Trouble Arose Over tho Captain Pre-
rerTIu@ Charges Against Major
Scott

Washington, March 22.--Presdent
Roosevelt tonight announced his dsap-
prevail OF the findings OF acquittal In the
case OF Capt. Lewis NJ Koeller, Fourth
Cavalry, I. S. A., cavalry commander
at Jolo, Philippine Islands,
Capt Koehler was charged with using
disrespectfu language In an appeal
from the action OF Gem Wood. who
reprmanded Capt KcehleT for making
charges against Maj, Scott, commando
ing officer at the JOlo military posi- and
civil governor of Jolo. and was charged
with conduct unbeconing All officer and
gentleman in making unfounde1 and
malicious statements regarding his COM
nanding officer and with insubordna-
tton- The first court-martlal sentenced
him TO be repritnandvd, and then u Sec
ond court-nartial, OH which todays ac-
tiop was based. acquitted him
The presidents order follows.
The White House, Wednesday, March
&c. 1907.
The proceedings findings and acqult-
tai IN the case OF capt. Lewis NJ. Koch
ler, Fourth cavalry, u. =. A.. are dis
the secretary OF war says OF Capt
koehlcs and Of Gen. Wood ana OF tine
poor showing made by the coIa't which
last passed on the case
THEODORE ROOSEN ELF,
SecS- TaIt, in his letter, says
Capt Koehler is an officer with an
excellent record for courag eous eervice
in the field and for attention to duty
generally. He distinguished himself at
the battle OF Mont Dajo, Capt, Koch :
Ter made himself very annoying To Maj
Scott by insisteuCe that Maj. Scott
should be in his office at certain times
and should discharge his duties AS milf
| tary post commander with the same de .
! gree OF prOmptness that he would have
done had he not the additional duties OF
ciTIl governor. The friction became so
great that Capt Koehler filed charges
against Maj. Scott.
Maj. Scott later filed charges agains t
| Capt, koehler.
y cOurI-martlal found Capt Koehlcr
| guilty of lseferring aptlous and uI-
| necessary charges against his COM
mapdlng officer, la reprlnla nding Koch
Ter under the sentence of the court
martial Gen. Wood declared that Capt.
Koehier's ceptions Of the standard
| OF conduct and uprightness as they eS-
/ list In the army We're distorted 10 de =
1 gree not found In the Just and tlir-
those habits Of true soldierly subdrdlna
tIon which the evidence In the case
showed him TO lack
Capt. ROehler appealed to the secTe
tary OF war alleging he was practically
denied COUNSEL that the department
commander was the aeeuser and prose
cutor, and that the court erred I'M over
ruling the plea in bar of trial based on
that fact: that the repTimand was
harsh aud excessive, and thai an APP
pltcation foT a court of inquiry on the
charges made against Mag. Scott We're
denied. and characterizIng the depart
nlent commanders acts as unfair, un-
just and Illegal,
Referring to the reprimand he said
that the severity. even to harshness,
OF the repfimand shows prejudice. bias
unfairness and q preconcelved convie-
ton that / was guilty as originally
charged. | WAS harassed and handi-
capped at the trial by the feeling that
was helpless aud al the mercy OF a SUI
perioT who would make use of every
unfair advantage 10 harm me and to
protect his own personal friend, Maj
Scott
Gen. Wood called the attention of the
war department to the appeal and SUBJ
mitted the question OF disciplinary pro-
ceedings. A cOurt-martial was then
appointed, which acquitted Capt. Koch
lpI-