The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-06-09
TAFT REFUSES TO
| WITHDRAW SOLDIERS

WASHINGTON. Juno S.-The Pres.
ident has flatly refused to accedc to
demand from the citizens of Seattle,
Wash, transmitted through Senator
Jones, for the removal OF the Twen-
ty-fifth infantry. colored, because a
soldier rs accused OF assaulting
white woman. The reason for the
Presidents action is contained in the
following statement issued by Seore-
tary Dickinson
Senator Jones of Washington pre-
sented 10 the president this morning
a telegram from S. s. Steiner, chair
man OF Massachusetts meeting
he'll near Fort Lawton, stating that 4
member OF the negro regiment there
had committed an outrage and de-
manding the immediate transfer OF
the twenty-ffth regiment
THE president stated that the re-
quest could not be complied with,
il any members of the regiment had
violated the law, they should be ap-
pretended and turned over to the To-
cal authorities for punishment. The
United States troops were 10 be sta
toned In the United States. and II
was the business OF the war depart
ment To see that they made as little
disturbance as possible. but TO move
them on uDproven charges would be
merely to Impose them on another
community. and might arouse a pro
test from such community.
THE secretary of war sont word
10 the commanding officer at Fort
Lawton, directing prompt and COM
plete investigation. confinement of Of
tenders and detention of witnesses,
II belonging to his command, and that
in view OF the state OF feeling re-
ported his command should be con
fined strictly TO the reservation pend
ing such Investigation An immediate
report was ordered
Seattle Mayor Expresses Regret.
SEATTLE, June S,-Mayor Hiram
c. Gill expressed regret today when
he learned OF President Taft's rcfu
sal to remove the negro soldiers from
Fort Lawton. The mayor at once or
ucIeu oIAty
placed In the Fort Lawton district.
and the city council will be asked
to authorize the addition of these
policemen to the permanent force,
The mayor also ordered the closing
OF negro resorts near the fort, where
negro soldiers have obtained liquor
The police today closed the most no
torlous one of these places, whose
mistress had been threatened with
violence by the whole nelghborhood
Private Nathaniel Bledser broke down
and made full confession TO the
police today. after he was turned
over to the civil authorities
He said that he was very drunk and
did not realize what he was doing
when he entered Mrs Redding's
house. He begged to be permitted TO
plead guilty and be sentenced and be
spared a public trial
Further representations will be
made to President Taft. Evidence of
nine other oiGenses against women is
being collected, and will be sent to
Washington by the committee of In
terbay citizens. who are at the head
OF the agitation,
Denver Wants Soldiers.
DENVER. June apparently the
citizens OF Fort Logan are willing TO
toke the twenty-ffth United States
infantry, now stationed at Fort Law,
ton, which citizens of Seattle are try
ing to have sent elsewhere A pcti-
non is being circulated at Fort Logan.
TO be presented TO President Taft,
asking 10 have the negro troops sent
TO Fort Logan. The explanation Is
made that Fort Logan has proven dis.
appointing as recruiting station and
residents of the military post are anX-
ious to have full infantry regiment
at the post once more. Those favor
ing the petition assert that negro
troops have behaved satisfactorily at
Fort Logan In the past. and II is be-
lieyed the residents there can handle
them,