The Washington herald., 1908-08-08
CADETS FATE STILL
HANGS In BALANCE
Wright Says 1t May Be De-
cided by Monday.
LONG CONFERENCE IS HELD
Secretary OF War and Col. scott,
COmmandant of West Point, Dis
cock Visits sIr. Roosevelt, but
stays Only short Time.

/ Oyster Bay. Aug. The fate OF the
eight West Point cadets who were sus-
pended from the Military Academy. more
than two weeks ago. after having been
convicted Of hazing. and concerning
( whose final dismissal and reported rein
statement President Roosevelt has dis
agreed with both his private secretary.
( William Loeb. f.. and the Secretary Of
[ War. Gen Wright. stu remains 70 be de
cidsd
( Gen Wright and Col. Hugh l. Scott,
! superintendent Of the Military Academy
I al West Point. nave come and gone with
out adding anything 10 the mass OF state
ments and contradictions concerning the
matter.
Secretary Wright and Col Scott reach
ed Oyster Bay on the 1913 train. and
were driven a. once to Sycamore Hin
Il had been understood that Secretary
Wright was accompanying Col Scott on
the Iatter's visit 10 the President ex-
pressly 10 aid in clearing Up the tangIe in
which the case Of the cadets lad been in
volved and in coming to some final de-
cision in the matter.
Has Become National Issue
When the Secretary arrived. however,
he declared that the case OF the cadets
was only one Of q large number OF mat
ters 10 be discussed at the Hill he gave
the impression that the dismissed cadets
were not troubling his mind greatly. but
when he was reminded OF what had hap
pened il the week that had elapsed since
his previous visit he remarked that al
that time he had not realized that he
was discussing a subject that was 10 be
come a national issue
II was al the close Of the visit referred
10 that Secretary Wright told the report
ers that the President had agreed with
him that expulsion vas too severe a pen
atty for the hazsrs and that the eight
cadets should be allowed TO return to
West Point This statement was fol
lowed by one from the President. saving
that in the first place he had never ap-
proved the dismissal Of the cadets. and. in
the second, he had never agreed TO their
reinstatement
When these things were recalled 70
Secretary Wright, he admitted that al
the time he gave the interview he was
Of opinion that the matter had been de
cided, and that the cadets were 10 20
back He did not say how he had come
TO decide later that he was all wrong
and that the President was riEac-
President "lIust Be Right,
Did you really say. as reported. that
anything the President says is righte-'
asked one Of his questioners.
The Secretary smiled. and. after think
ing a moment, replied that what he had
meant was that the President was in
position 10 know. and that. therefore.
whatever he said about the dismissal or
Of the cadets must be right. !
But he added. = am a loyal fol-
lower Of my chief and I am willing 20
believe that whatever he SAYS Is right
Secretary Wright and Col Scott lunched
with the President. and after sending Z
down word TO the executive Office that I
they would not as originally planned. get
back IN time 70 leave on the 2.sG train
raced down 20 the village in the auto
just in time TO catch the 4 O'Clock train |
for New Work
In the moment that elapsed before the
train pulled out. Secretary Wright told
the reporters that he had no statement
to make about the cadets. and when
pressed 10 throw some light upon the I
much muddled situation. asserted that I
no definite decision had been reached dur I
ing the conference at the HiH. and that
the matter stood Just where II did before I
his visit
Expects Decision on Monday.
He added that there still remained some
investigating 10 be done concerning the /
hazing. and that a final decision. TO be !
announced either at Washington CT oyster /
Bay might be reached by Monday.
Col .Scctt- who evidently feared that /
trip TO oyster Bay was the regular initia- {
ton 10 the Anaaias Club. refused 10 dis (
cuss his visit or the case of the cadets, /
beyond saying that any statement about [
the matter would have 70 come from Sec
retary Wright TIE latter who had learn I
ID between visits the danger OF being
sure you're right and then going ahead. I
refused absolutely 70 give any intimaticn
of the Presidents present attitude in the
matter Of the hazing cases. and seemed /
quite relieved when the starting OF the /
train put an end TO questions. The Sec
retary said he was going into the eoun-