The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-17
NO OFFENSE MEANT
BY CARAbAO SONGS,
DECLARE OFFICERS
Regret Displeasure Aroused
Over Incident-Letter of
Explanation Sent Dam
iels by Committee

Washington. December 16.-Secretaries
Garrison and Daniels received today an
exclamation from Major General Aieshre,
L S. A.. Brigadier General Mcintyre, L.
the incidents at the recent dinner of the
military order Of the Cafabao, which had
aroused the displeasure of President Will
son and his cabinet.
These officers of the organization sub
mitted copies of the songs and lines in
the travesties and satires upon adminis-
tration policies and members of the cab
met, with a letter of regret that anything
should have given offense.
Secretary Garrison will confer with Sec
retary Daniels today and joint report
will be made TO President Wilson. Mr..
Daniels said tonight his suggestion to
Rear Admiral Howard that he decline to
accept the presidency of the Carabao So
ciety, to which he was recently elected,
extended to other prominent officers In
the navy
In view of the criticism of the recent
dinner" said Mr.. Daniels, Il don't think
it would be wise for any of the older Of
ficers to take office in the organization
now. When everything that is offensive
or reflects ON the administration has been
taken out, it might be all right for them
t. take an active part
Presidents Position
Mr.. Daniels pointed out that the Presi-
dent as commander in chief of the army
and navy could not permit reflections on
his policies to be openly satrzed by army
and navy officers. He did not comment
on the letter received from the three Of
ficers of the Carabao. This letter, ad-
dressed to the Secretary of the Navy,
follows
I'VE have been appointed by the commit
tee in charge of the recent annual dinner,
Military Order of the Carabao, a sub
committee to submit certain data to the
Secretary of War required by him.
THE sub b-committee also desires to ex-
press to you the deepest regret at the
criticisms In the press of the recent Ca
rabao dinner. The society, composed
largely of army and navy officers, is
greatly distressed that anything In its en-
tertainment should be offensive to it's in
vited guests. The principal song reported
to have given offense was composed by
soldiers on the way to the Philippines In
1S99 and has been sung at Carabao din
ners and similar occasions ever since.
1T was not on the programme for the
recent dinner, but was sung once, and
when asked for second time was refused
by the officer presiding at the singing
table. During the dinner there have al
ways been presented entertaining features
and the songs have been practically the
same on all such occasions.
TT has been stated in the press that
the songs were known in advance. That
is true, as the song book printed this year
is practically the same as song books here
tofore printed. 20 of the 35 songs being the
same, and the others have not been mem
Statement Absurd
'The printed statement that The per-
formance according to advance state
ments given out by the Carabao society,
was designed to show the lack of sympa-
thy for recent developments and tenden-
cies in the Philippine government is SO
absurd that it seems hardly necessary to
deny it. Very respectfully,
-. B. ALESHIRE.
1T. b. HOWARD.
FRANK M'INTYRE."
Later DR.. Joseph Kellen, secretary of
the Carabao, and the only member of the
committee not now in active service, an
nounced that he was not responsible for
the issuance Of the advance matter to the
press concerning the banquet. He said
when the members of the subcommittee
wrote their letter they did not know what
he had sent out, and that the advance
notices did contain this quoted sentence
with reference to moving picture film por-