The Washington herald., 1909-07-12

Annapolis. Nd. July u---There IS a
good deal Of feeling here that Lieut. Rob
ert T. Adams. Of the Marine Corps. has
been convicted By some OF the papers OF
completely In The death OF his brother Of
/ lhcer. James y. sutton. before any charges
have been laid against him or even the
official inquiry has taken place
/ While Il Is believed that the second in
/ quiry should take place and clear the
whole matter up as far as possible. and
while many 90 50 far as 10 hold that
sutton was unfairly attacked on the night
OF the tragedy and forced into The dgnt
that resulted al least Indirectly IN his
death. there is a feeling among those hav-
ing an opportunity Of knowing that there
viii DC no change IN the finding that Sut-
ton shot himself. whether with suicidal
purpose OF accidentally.
Many Statements Denied.
There is little doubt that the evidence
viii be maSsed overwhelmlngly on this
/ point as regards the direct testimony OF
those present and OF the medical officers
Many Of the statements attributed 10 DIFF
ferent persons here. and indicating other
views. have been absolutely denied by
them
On the other hand. the civilian Wit
nesses. Of which the chauffeur. William
Owings. is the most important indicate
By their testimony that Adams and his
friends. not Sutton. sought the fight that
! night and actually began f.
Owings says that he Is positive that
Adams struck al Sutton as he reached
the ground: that the latter expressed HIS
unwillingness 10 fight. and finally ne con-
sented only after Adams made a second
attempt 10 reach bin. Employees Of the
Carvel Hall Hotel VIII testify thar Adams
and his friends sought Sutton there. pre-
vious 10 tie departure for the camp.
Raymond Taylor the undertaken. denies
that he said that Sutton could not have
committed suicide, but says that his face
was badly bruised, as II from heavy
blows
sutton Had Unfair Fight.
Altogether a strong case viii be made
out tending 10 indicate that Sutton had
an unfair fight forced upon him This
may raise questions Of the indirect re-
spOnsibility OF the others present for Sut-
toms death, but there IS no likelihood Of
any proof being produced that he was
shot by any other person than himself.
The sessions Of the court OF inquiry,
which begin on Monday. July Ia. viii
probably be open. This IS q matter which
rests IN the discretion OF the court.
Capt. John Hood. L. S. y. the senior
member, said that the court would prob
ably admit the representatives OF the
press. but that the matter would be de-
termined promptly upon the convening Of
the court
Grand Jury Also Investigated.
In fairness 70 the board OF investiga
ton which first looked into the matter
II must be said that this body did no
have the power 10 compel the attendanc
Of civilian witnesses as the court Of IN
quiry VIII have Whether or not Il rnad.
an attempt 10 secure their voluntary al
tendance is not known These wltnesse-
did appear before the grand jury OF II,
United States District Court, OF Balti
more. shortly afterward. and that body de
cided that nothing was produced Justify
ing an Indictment IL is. therefore. clear
that the death Of Sutton was aot glosset
over IN the manner which has been sup.
posed