The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-12


charged soldiers of the Twenty-ffth Ir
fantry lad entered into any agreemcr
or so-called Conspiracy of silence" q
that they withheld information pos
sessed by them for the shooting tina
the testimony is contradictory and no
sufficient to sustain the charge tina
the soldiers We're connected with TIL
shooting, and that the weight OF Thu
evidence shows that none of the nesr,
soldiers participated in the affray.
Not All We're Concerned.
a supplemental report, signed by
Senator's Warren. Lodge Warner and
Dupont. declares that under the evil
dence it is shown that the assault was
perpetrated by members of the battal-
ion, but that 1t is reasonable 10 believe
that all of the soldiers were not con-
oerned IN the commission of the crime,
either rs principals or accessories. They
recommend that 1t would be Justice to
restore to all Of the innocent men the
rights and privileges which had ac-
crued to them by reason of their pre-
vious service in the army 4 bill Is
presented authorizing the President
within one year after the passage of
the act. TO authorize the enlistment of
any OF the men whom he may be salts
fed had no connection with the shoot
ing. Senator Foraker included in his
report bill. previously introduced,
which provides for the same general
purpose. This bill however. would
compel the War Department to accept
the enlistment OF any one OF the dis
charged negroes who makes oath that
he was not connected with the shoot
ing.
The Brownsville affray occurred on
the night of August 1877 1906. The
War Department conducted hurried
Investigation Of the shooting, and as
result President Roosevelt ordered
the discharge without honor of the
three companies of negro soldiers who
were then stationed at Fort Brown
Senator Foraker, soon after Congress
convened in December. 1906. raised a
question as TO the Presidents right
to discharge the men, and an investiga-
ton by the Committee on Military At
fairs was ordered. The committee be-
gan taking testimony February 4. 1907.
and concluded March 10, 1905.
McssaEe from President.
The following Is the text Of the
Presidents message sent to the Senate
to-day:
ITO the Senate:
"on December -. 1906. the Sec
retarv of War by my direction,
issued the following order
Z" Applications TO re-enlist from
former members of Companies r,
C and p. Twenty-fifth infantry.
who were discharged under the
provisions of special orders, No.
o66. War Department, November 9.
1905 must be made in writing and
he accompanied by such evidence.
also in writing. as the applicant
may decide to submit to show that
~.
raid on Brownsville Tex. on the
night OF August 10. 1905, nor with
held any evidence that might lead
to the discovery OF the perpetrat
ors thereof
Proceedings We're begun under
this order: but shortly thereafter
an investigation was directed BY
the Senate, and the proceedings
under the order were stopped
The Senate Committee entrusted
with the work has now completed
It's Investigation. and finds that
the facts upon which my order Of
discharge Of November 9, 1906.
was based are substantlated by the
evidence. The testimony secured
by the cynlnt,ss IS therefore now
available, '"aad I desire to revive
the order Of December u. 1906,
and TO have il carried out in what
ever shape may be necessary to
achieve the purpose therein set
forth; any additional evidence be-
Ing taken which may be of aid in
the ascertainment OF the truth. The
time limit during which It was pos
sible to reinstate any Individual
soldier in accordance with the
terms OF this order has however,
expired. ! therefore recommend
the passage OF law extending
this time limit so FAR as the SOL
diers concerned are affected. until
year after the passage Of the law.
and permitting reinstatement by
direction Of the President of any
man who, in his Judgment, shall
appear not TO be within the class
whose discharge was deemed neces-
sary in order to maintain the
discipline and moral of the army.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, March II, 1905"