Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-27
Mrs. Barnett Says Capt. Smith
Ought to Be Thankful.
SECRECY PLEDGE BROKEN
Facts Had Been Withheld to Protect
Name of a Woman.
HAD FAIR TRIAL, SHE SAYS
Sentence Having Been Approved by
the President, Doesn't Think
Case Likely to Be Reopened.

PHILADELPHIA, February 2I.-.Al-
though shrinking from a discussion of
the case of Capt. Guy II. B. Smith of the
ith United States Infantry. who was dis
missed from the army after a secret
court-martial, Mrs. George L. Barnett of
1923 Pine street, whose husband is lieu
tenant colonel Of the Marine Corps at
the Philadelphia navy yard, was aroused
yesterday by reports from Cleveland.
Ohio, that Capt. Smiths friends declare
he had not received fair play.
AS a result, she said she was convinced
that the evidence presented against the
army officer was so strong that there was
no possibility that he would obtain a new
trial. She was unwilling to go into the
charges against Capt. Smith for two
reasons. One was that every person who
appeared in the case had given a prom
Use to keep the facts secret, and the other
was her horror of being named In con-
nection with such an affair.
Well Known in Washington.
Mrs. Barnett, who was the widow of
Basil Gordon. a wealthy Baltimore
merchant, and who is well known in
Washington, married Lieut.. Col. Bar
nett five years ago. He was for a
time attached to the American legation
at Picking. China.
Capt Smith received fair play" said
Mrs. Barnett. HE received more than
fair play. Other charges could have
been made against him and he might
have faced something more serious
than losing his commission in the
army.
THE secrecy OF the proceedings was
solely for the purpose of shielding the
name of a woman, and 1t is terrible
thing that my name should be forced
into such unmerited prominence.
Gave Pledge Of Secrecy.
Il have given pledge to remain
silent as to what was told at the
court-martial. but there are facts
which were not told at that hearing
which would give the case against
Capt. Smith an even more ser:ous as
pect. If these facts were told his best
friendS-even his brother-would shun
him.
In his heart Capt. Smith knows that
he has shown mercy in the secrecy given
10 the proceedings of the court-martial
although this secrecy was mainly for the
purpose of protecting a woman from the
humiliation OF being named in connec-
ton with such a case. This effort to
SIleIu all innocent woman from unmerted
notoriety was due to the gallantry Of the
army officers.
Capt. Smith should feel that he has
escaped lightly, but, like a cornered rat,
he seems to have turned and stirred up
new and unpleasant affair." which he, Of
all others. ought to wish to have con-
signed to oblivion"
Trouble on a Transport.
The trouble which resulted in Capt
Smiths dismissal from the army occurred
while army officers and army officers
wives were voyaging from the Philip
pines back to America. Three days out
from San Francisco Capt. Smith was
placed under arrest and on landing he
proceeded to Fort Crook, Neb.
According to Information credited to
Senator Burton. Mrs. Barnett, the even
ing before Capt. Smiths arrest, called
the officers aboard the transport together
and Informed them that had her husband
or any officer been present at the time,
Capt. Smith would have been shot She
Is also quoted as having added that she
would follow Capt. Smith to the end of
the world ION account Of the children"