Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-03
DUE TO STAND TRIAL
Court-MartiaI for Alleged De-
serters From the Ozark.
MUTINY IN NAVAL MILITIA
Twenty-Six Men Said to Have
Taken French Leave.
NOT OFFICIALLY REPORTED
Action at Headquarters Upon Re-
ceipt of Information From the
Vessels Commander.

No official report has yet been made to
headquarters of the District of Columbia
militia regarding assertions and mutiny
aboard the monitor Ozark, which is cruis-
ing in Chesapeake bay with the Naval
Battalion, n. G. D. c., aboard. A report
is expected from Commander Samuel W.
Stratton, and until it is received no ac-
ton will be taken at headquarters.
When the Ozark was at Annapolis Sun
day night members of the battalion began
to desert, it is reported, twenty-six leav-
ing the ship. Most of them walked to
Washington from Annapolis. Those who
have returned are said to be outspoken
| regarding the ''hardships of the voyage,
the difficulty of the work and poor
quality of the food
the 'deserters'' as bunch of quit
ters,' who formed their opinion of the
mess while they were seasick, and who
thought the boat was going to sink, al
though her. main deck is intended to be
frequently under water. The Ozark is
described as a wet boat and not one
adapted to comfortable cruising along the
coast. The naval cadets, however, 1t is
pointed out, used the boat successfully
for several years and made numerous
cruises in her.
Engine in Bad Condition.
1t is said to be generally admitted that
there is something wrong with the en-
CINE of the vessel, which could not
make more than six knots an hour in
rough sea, while it was estimated that
she should make at least nine knots in
order to arrive at GARDENERS bay in time
for the maneuverS with the naval re-
serves of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
1t is regarded as possible that the men
vr1,0 f4I hn trim
by court-martial shortly after the bat
talon returns from the cruise. The law.
approved May IL, 1898, organizing the
naval battalion, provides That in all
matters not otherwise specially provided
for. the provisions of law which provide
for the organization of the militia of
the District of Columbia shall Apply to
the naval battalion
The law provides further. that "the
general routine of duty, discipline and
exercises of the naval battalion shall
| conform with the laws, customs and
| usages of the navy, as far as the same
apply, and where they do not apply,
| such routine of duty, discipline and ex-
ercises shall conform to the laws gov
| ernng the volunteer forces of the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Precedents Established.
Summary courts have already been
held in the naval battalion, under the
new militia law, approved April 6, 1909,
which gives the military courts of the
District powers almost equal to those
of the regular army. The sentences of
the military courts, whether fine or
Imprisonment, are executed by the
United States marshal for the District
of Columbia in the same manner. as
are the sentences of the criminal
courts of the District. The United
States marshal is also required to issue
a warrant of attachment to secure the
attendance Of those who failed to ap-
pear before the summary court when
duly summoned.
Views of an Officer.
An officer of the District of Columbia
militia, who accompanied the Naval Bat
talon on part of it's cruise, stated to a
reporter for The Star today that the
trouble with some members of the crew
began when it was learned that the
Ozark would not proceed to the maneuver
ground. This, he said, caused much dis
appointment among the men. He added
that the discipline of the battalion SEEM
ed to be good and that the food was ex-
cell-nt and well prepared. During the
week that he was on board, he said
there were no men in the brig.
The Ozark is at present cruising in the
Chesapeake bay. She may call at Old
Point Comfort within the next day or
two.