Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-28
j. S. OFFICER GETS
25.YEAR SENTENCE
Capt. David A. Henkes, 10th In.
fantry, Was in Touch with
German Agents.
WAS IN ARMY 20 YEARS.
Born In Iows-Came from GERMANY
wanted to Observation-Disclosures
Letters Found.

New York. Feb. 24.-Captain David
A. Henkes, Sixteenth Infantry, u. g..
A. has been sentenced to dismissal
from the service and confinement at
hard labor for Is years by a general
/, court martial held at Governors
Island. Henkes. who Is of German de-
scent. endeavored to resign his COM
mission saying he did not care to
nght against relatives and friends.
captain Henkes, who was stationed
at San Antonio. Texas. last May,
wrote to the secretary Of war urging
him to accept the resignation. which
he had already submitted and giving
reasons which, he declared. would M
longer allow him to serve as an Of
ficer Of the American army.
ANXIOUS TO RESIGN.
Further service as a commissioned Of
f1cer must sooner or later take me to
Europe. and there bring me in conflict
with my relatives and frieneds although
Tor the time being my legal enemies, 4"
Captain Henkes wrote: my father came
from Germany. My mother was born
here shortly after the arrival of her par
ents. We have many other relatives and
friends there cannot force myself to
the conviction that am capable of maxi
ing war on my kindred upon their soil in
manner that would become my duty and
station. I earnestly request that 1 may
not be required to undergo this ordeal.
seriously doubt my ability to withstand It,
and would avoid. in the interest Of my
! country. family and friends, what at
least appears the probable conse-
quences."
Capto In uopkao cv10ou<od n , n - o,%a~oo
tive that he be given service in some
other field. although he expressed the be-
lief that the best course would be the inn
mediate acceptance Of his resignation.
Captain Henkes, soon after he had
submitted his resignation, was ordered
to France with the American expedi-
| tionary forces. and from his quarters
! there on June 20, 1917. wrote to the
acknowledgement in Washington call
ing attention to the fact that he had
| resigned. and declaring that his bat
TALON commander. the department
quartermaster and the commanding Of
ficer Of the southern department had
approved his action. In this letter he
repeated reason given to the Sec
| rotary Of war for desiring to quit the
| service.
REPEATED HIS REQUEST.
, Again on October 10, while still on
duty in France, Captain Henkes wrote
another letter to the Acknowledgement
in which he urged acceptance Of his
resignation. and said he did not find
occasion to add to or alter the views
he had already expressed.
Captain Henkes was then ordered to
this country, and summoned before a
io1 nj q
Island, where he was formally charged
with violation of the 95th article of war.
/ This charge recited that Having taken
an oath Of office in which, among other
things. he swore to support and defend
the Constitution Of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domes-
TIC and that he would bear true faith
and allegiance to the same,'" had written
the latter concerning his resignation.
The same charge was made in connection
with the other letter.
The court martial found him guilty.
and the findings having been reviewed
by the ge-advocate- general, the sem
tence Of the court dismissal from the
service and confinement at hard labor for
% years, were ordered carried out. The
United States disciplinary barracks at
Fort Leavenworth, Kans., was designated
as the place of Imprisonment
The report was signed by Major Gen.
William A. Mann, commanding the de-
partment Of the East. and by Col. w. A.
Simpson. retired, adjutant.
Washington, Feb. A-Evidence that in
spite Of his commission in the United
States army he was In touch with German
agents. contributing to Won Bernstorff's
propaganda funds and working for peace
at any price before America went to war
was largely responsible for the heavy
punishment imposed upon Captain David
A. Henkes. sentenced by court martial al
Governors Island. to dismissal from the
service and imprisonment at hard labor
for Is years.
This evidence was discovered after
Henkes was brought back from France
for trial because Of his insistent demand.
that he be allowed to resign to avoid fight
ing relatives and friends in German!
On landing he asked to be allowed to Sc,
his wife. This was denied. but he was per
mitted to telephone and officers Listening
in" heard him instruct his wife to burn al
his papers.
INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE.
Before Mrs. Henkes could carry out tn
orders her home was entered and the in
lcrimihatinG letters ana papers seized. Ac
cording to officers of the Judge advocate
generals department. these proved tina
Henkes not only had been In communica
ton with Count Won Bernstorff then Ger
man ambassador to the United States
but had contributed to German. Austrian
; and Turkish funds and had been an activ
propagandist.
Henkes was born in Iowa In 1875 ant
entered the army during the Spanish
American War as a private in a Wisconsin
|, infantry regiment. He became a secon'
lieutenant in February. 1901. and In 100
he graduated from the infantry an
! cavalry school Of the army.
HOLY GERMANY!
London, Feb. z.-An intercepted German
wireless message. according to Route
despatch from Petrograd. quotes Primo