The Washington times., 1915-06-07
"GOUG|NG PROBE" ON
AT NAVAL ACADEMY
Seven Accused Midshipmen Per-
mltted to Retain Counsel for
Trial.
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oughness of the court and the evil
dent desire of every member to give
the midshipmen every proper protectiol.
as we'll as to get at the bottom OF the
whole matter. without reference to those
who may be concerned, is evident.
1t became known today that the nrst
class. whose members have just been
graduated, went on record as trusting
absolutely In the honor OF their ciats
honor men of the class. The class
framed a resolution in which these SEN
timents were expressed, and In which a
thorough reconsideration Of the whole
matter was asked
They took the unusual course OF at
tempting to hand this directly to Sec
retary WDaniels. whilC he was In An
napolis. 1t is understood that an at
the Secretary's hands Friday evening.
while he was attending the farewell
ball. but that it did not actually reach
aim At any rate, exactly what an.,r was
The affair constitutes one Of the bold
est efforts of the kind ever made by
class of midshipmen. as the only petl-
tion from them which would be recog,,
have been one through the superintend-
ever. indicates as did the testimony of
different midshipmen before Secretary
any other midshipmen are known to be
at least as guilty as the seven who are
recommended for dismissal was not
made known by the act of the lnldship-
men or any one acting for them'
~. Help Received.
In the communication to the Secre-
tary OF the Navy, and in the testimony
of several midshipmen, notably Hol-
combe and Ward, presidents Of the sec
ond and third classes, before Secretary
Daniels the ground was taken that
large proportion Of the midshipmen at
the academy had received help from
certain sources to as great an extent
as the midshipmen who were dismissed.
1t is known that these two. and
others, made this statement with the
ence- of superintendent Fullam. 1t Is
also known that not every officer at
the academy approved of the hasty
action in these cases. and that one OF
them, though not OFFICIALLY designated
to do It. communicated with the young
men and helned them frame protest
which had the effect Of delaying the
proceedings to some extent. and OF
giving them the opportunity of de-
manding further hearing.
The balance Of the morning session
was consumed In reading the test-
mony taken before the board Of OFF,
ton, and recommended the dismissal Of
the seven midshipmen. This board was
composed OF Commanders Phelps.
Hines and -Traut, all stationed at the
Naval Acedeny.
The names of q number of midship-
men were brought out in this testi-
monl, well as that of a least ono
Instructor. whose name. however, was
announced that II it appeared that any
other shipmnt or officers should be
brought INTO the investigation as de-
PENDANTS, they would be so notified,
anr that she would be informed as to
their right of counsel.
The reading of the record of this In
Ventigation consumed more than an
hour and at its conclusion the court
took recess, until 1880, when they
planned to call several OF the midship-
men involved as witnesses. the inves-
tigation starting at this point.
Must Find Facts.
The court is especially charged with
trying to find the facts as to the leak
of the papers particularly concerned,
and also as to the extent OF such things
at the Academy. The court Is COM
posed of officers who have not in re-
cent years had any connection with
the Academy, and who can. presuma-
out bias. Captain Russell. president
Of the court. is former Judge advocate
general of the navy, and an authority
on the practice of such courts.
There is every indication that the
sessions of the court will cover a con-
siderable period and two weeks was
named today as probably the minimum
time. Should the court recommend tn >
trial by court-martial of anyone in the
naval service the matter would be still
further prolonged, so that the time OK
the ending could not be seen. In fact,
the situation has its only parallel in
the series OF courts-martial for hazins
which took place about ten years ago,
and which were finally brought to an
end by President Roosevelt.
In case any officers are found to be
involved, court martial will follow.
The Secretary of the Navy may also
allow any midshipmen to be tried by
court martial, but he cannot obtain It
as a matter of right exception in the
case of haznS.
In the meantime. the practice squad
ron. which was scheduled to start for
San Francisco, still is in the bay. and
it's sailing has been indefinitely post
poned. while TIE whole cruise may have
to be replanned.