Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-04


matter whatever.
Presidents Statement Endorsed.
1t is known that the Secretary regrets
the misunderstanding which has arisen
through the public discussion OF the case.
He says himself that the statement is
sued by the President yesterday unaues-
tionably is accurate, as the President
made it plain to him that he had no idea
that his approval of the proceedings of THE
board. including the sentence of dismissal.
would be taken as final action in the
matter. That was evidenced. 1t is ex-
planned. by the letter OF the President re-
questing Secretary Wright to 20 to Oyster
Bay to discuss the case with him.
No orders have been issued to the cadets
to return to the academy and none prob
ably will be issued of any nature until
Secretary Wright has determined upon a
course of action.
When seen last night as to the statement
given out at the executive Offices in Oyster
Bay yesterday to the effect that the
President had come to no decision in re-
gard to the dismissal of the eight West
Point cadets charged with hazing Secre-
Whatever the President says is right.
do not wish to discuss the matter fur
ther.''
Conference With Col. Scott.
Secretary Wright today had a confer
ence. lasting an hour and a half. with
Col. Hugh L. Scott. superintendent of
the United States Military Academy at
West Point. concerning the status of the
eight cadets whose dismissal from the
academy was recommended by board OF
ohicers. Secretary Wright and Col Scott
discussed fully the situation. but at the
close of the conference no definite state
ment was made by either of them about
the matter.
conference that probably within forty
eight hours he would reach a conclusion
of the cases and then would make
statement regarding them. Pending that
statement he preferred not to discuss the
matter further
In response to numerous inquiries put
to him. Col. Scott said. although no con-
clusfon yet had been reached as to what
disposition would be made of the cases
Of the cadets 1t manifestly would be inn
proper for him publicly to discuss them
The boys. he sad, had been found guilty
Of hazing by board Of officers and so
far as the academy authorities were con-
cerned that was all there was to IT, He
added that final disposition Of the case:
must lie with the Secretary of War and
the President. What action they may
determine upon he was not in position to
say.
Another Statement,
The Presidents secretary. Rudolph
Forster. after returning to the executive
offices this afternoon from his daily visit
to the President, made the following state
ment:
acting Secretary Forster again said
that the President had not yet received
the final decision of the War Department
in the West Point hazing cases: that orig
inally the department seemed inclined to
remove the cadets. When Secretary
Wright was here he seemed inclined to
think that they ought not to be removed.
but had evidently not yet come to any
conclusion in the matter. and has notified
the President that he wants the President
to see Col Scott. with whom he Secretary
WrighO has just been In consultation.
The President, of course. will come to no
final decision until he hears from Gen.
Wright