The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-06
OZARK BACK TO-DAY
Troubles of Battalion Cruise
Are to Be Ended.
DESERTERS ARE IN ALARM
By Reporting absent without"
LeHve Before Ten Days Expire,
They May Save COurt-mnrtinl and
Punishment-stories OF Mutiny to
BE Given an Airing.

Doings aboard the ozark. carrying the
District Naval Battalion. are expected 10
be cleared up this afternoon when the
vessel reaches Washington and her old
anchorage of p street southwest.
She is due to leave Indian Head some
time this morning. The run from Indian
Head is about six and half hours for
the Ozark, and as she will not start be-
fore o'clock. It will be this afternoon
before the amateur sailors reach port
Without vouchsafing a word 10 Gen.
Harries or in any manner attempting 10
get in communication with him, Capt. s.
w. suatton kept the vessel at Indian
Head fo- more than thirty hours Thurs
day and yesterday, IL is said.
All day yesterday while news was
momentarily expected reporting the mon
itor's arrival at Indian Head, the ship
lay opposite the proving grounds She
had steamed in Thursday. shortly after
midday. and cast anchor about a mile of
the Head No liberty was allowed to either
officers or men.
Drowning Reports Denied.
1t was reported that several drownings
had occurred late Thursday night. but
this was easily disproved, as, II any
deaths had occurred the start for the
city would not have been delayed.
Yesterday afternoon a series OF sports
were conducted from the ship. and were
easily visible to the men stationed at In
dian Head. There were several boat
races. a number Of swimming and diving
events. and a periodical burst OF band
music
The silence OF the officers as 20 the
French leave taken Sunday while the
vessel lay at Annapolis IS also proving
puzzle TO Gen. Harries and his other
aids here. He is unable to take any ac-
ton regarding the alleged deserters until
the matter Is officially referred to him.
For many hours last night several Of
the so-called deserters stayed at the
Ozark mooring place, at Seventh street.
awaiting the arrival Of the vessel They
want TO avoid court-martial proceedings
for desertion by reporting aboard the
vessel as soon as she docks. They will
then plead guilty OF absence without
leave"
This method may save them from pun
ishment for a desertion offense. others
Of the twenty-odd who made the trip
from Annapolis are also expected to be
on hand this morning when the ozark
docks, seeking the same immunity from
heavy punishment.
Must BE Away Ten Days.
The desertion charge cannot be pressed
until the men are absent ten days. Tney
still have three days to report to the
ship without making themselves liable to
a court-martlal, and when all the alb
sentees realize this they will hardly lose
any time in reporting before Tuesday
when the ton days expire.
Capt. Thomas S. King, OF the District
National Guard, who was a guest aboard
the vessel till she reached Annapolis,
said yesterday that while returning to
Washington from Annapolis ne met eight
OF the men aboard the train. He spoke
to them, and they informed HIM that
they were on liberty until midnight and
intended returning He did not give the
matter any more thought untfl he read
Of the leave taken by the twenty-five
men. There seemed no dissatisfaction,
Capt. King said.
Lieut.. J. a. Dempf and Paymaster J. -.
Johns also made the trip TO Washington
with Capt. King. but returned to the
vessel.
There was a shortage OF fresh water for
a time on the ship It was said, owing to
the breaking down OF the salt-evapora-
tors or condensers at Old Point. The
fresh water tanks soon became exhausted
with nearly 200 men drawing on them. II
was two days before the condensers were
fully repaired