The Washington herald., 1917-08-26
FEARS
new OUTBREAK
Secret Removal of Colored
Troops After Clash Causes
Unrest.
By the International News Ser,Ice.D

! Houston. Tex. Aug. g5.-This city /.
/ powder keg tonight only waiting f0l
a spark 10 explode il. Military and
Z civil authorities are plainly alarmed
( BY the growing UudcrCUr.ent Of IN.
rest among men OF all classes eugen.
deTed by secret removal from the
city early today Of q mutinous colored
soldiers Of the Twenty-fOurth United
states Infantry charged with murder
They We're taken from the county
Jal under heavy guard 10 Camp 10,
gan, where other mutineers and the
rest Of the coiOred regulars were al.
ready entrained.
Leading citizens Of Houston are de-
manding that all the mutineers be
brought back Il this city for court
martial or civil trial and execution.
An exodus OF negIOes from the san
Felipe district started late this after
noon. A report that a moo would
raid the quarter tonight threw the sec
ton into a turmoil Carrying what ef-
fects they could gather quickly many
moved through back streets to other
sections or to the outskirts.
Level headed citizens communicated
with leaders among the negroes. as
surfing them there was no talk Of an
attack and promising full protection.
The colored men went through the
district bearing the message. Some re-
turned 10 their homes. but late to-
night groups were seen leaving the ne
gro quarter.
Fearing that discomfort would be
brought TO a head. BrlE. Gen. John a
Hulen, commander Of Houston and
Harris County, which is under mar
tial law, practically demanded the dis
perSal OF a mass meeting in the court
house this afternoon.
Indictments We're returned by Harris
county grand jury this afternoon
against forty negro soldiers Of the
Twenty-fourth infantry believed 10
have been involved in the mutiuy and
murders Thursday night.
When the thiTty-four negroes Charg-
ed with murder were released from
the county Jail at > o'clock this morn
ing and taken out OF the city with other
members Of the Twenty fourth. Dis
triCt Attorney CroCker decided upon an
INVESTIGATION. All available information
was laid before the grand jury by As
sistant District Attorney Williamson.
Following a tour Of the city and
with civil and military
leaders, Mai Gen. Bell. who arrived
this morning TO command Camp Lo-
gan. said Houston will be removed
from martial law tomorrow.
When informed the soldier prisoners
had been released from the jail. Jus
lice Of the Peace Leon Lusk. who is
sued the blanket warrant against
Jlgm. said:
When warrant was placed in the
hands of lie sheriff. 1t WAS his duty
10 hold the men until they were re-
leased by a competent court. I have
issued no releases. The crimes al
legged against these men We're commit
led before martial law was declared
IN Harris County"
1t is probable that the grand Jury
will investigate the release.
We did our part in Houston and 1
Are on our way 10 Columbus. Y I
Mex" is a message alleged TO have I
'cen dropped at Richmond today
rom the train bearing the negro SOL I
Tiers from Houston. 1t is now in the
lands Of Brig. Gen. Hulen. in charge /.
ere under martial law
There is but one punishment fer
nutiny-it is ceath." Ma Gen. Bell
aid today.
No one man can say what the
ause Of the uprising was. There are
many suppositions. but only a thor
ugh Investigation such as IS being
onducted will determine which be-
ef is correct.
"Court-martial proceedings viii be
n the hands OF Mai. Gen. Parker at
'olumbus"