Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-21
DEMANDS RELEASE
OF ARMY OFFICER
United States District Attorney
Says Lieutenant West Was
on Official Business.
COURT DEFERs DECISION
Officer Declines to Reveal Why
He Was Here or to Disclose
Military Secrets.

Frankly expressing the fear that
haSty action on his part might result
in bringing down the wrath of the
Federal authorities, which would result
in having the city placed under mar
tial law. Police Justice Cru;chaeld ycs-
terday morning refused TO 20 into the
trial Of Lieutenant w. T. West. con-
nccted with the provost guard at Camp
Lee. who, with two other men and two
women. was arrested when lodging
house at los East Broad Street was
raidcd early Wednesday morning by
the local police.
Although Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney Hiram NJ. smith acting
on the personal instructions Of the A.
;orneyGcneral of the United Statcs
vigorously protested against such ac-
tion and demanded that the case he
forthwith dismissed. Justice Crutchheld
insisted that he was treadinS OH new
ground that he must be cautious and
that he would set the trial IF Lieu-
tenant West and his chauffeur. w g.
Wright. for this afternoon at O'Clock
SO that he would have time to examine
the details OF the arrest and the de-
mand OF District Attorney Smith tina,
the case be dismissed.
Justice Cru:chicid last night de-
clared that since it vas probable tina,
secrets OF the military police might he
disclosed If the case was tried in op.a
court. the doors would bc closed ana
only those having right TO be pres
ent would be admitted. He further
said that 1t was his whole purpose.
from which he had never swerved, 10
cooperate with the Federal author!-
tics in every manner possible. How
ever, the justice added that he would
try the case in tho same manner as
any other case which might come TO
his attention. But it will be remem-
bored that when Justice Crutchficll
Informed Assistant District Attorney
Hiram Smith that he could continue
the case and try it privately. the reply
Of Mr.. Smith was that he did not de-
sire any favors.
CRUTCIIFIELD CALLS
MAYOR INTO CONFERENCE
After Justice Crutchheld rendered his
decision to defer the trial of Lieuten-
ant West and W. G. Wright until this
afternoon lie retired from the bench
and court was continued BY Justice
Maurice. OF Police Court. Part II.
Justice Crutchheld retired TO his pri-
Nate Office. where a conference was
held with District Attorney Smith
Commonwcalth's Attorney Wise, Rev.
II. u. c. Maclachlan, >. D.. and Fed
eral Agent Pollen. In few minutes
Mayor Ainslie was called into the con-
ference. Mayor Ainslie said that he
had nothing to Go with the matter
which must be determined by the
court.
The case of Eunice Walker and Leola
Simpson, arrested when the raid was
made, was set for June %, and all of
the prisoners were released upon their
own recognizance. While the confer
cnce was in progress frequent hiu:s
were made that the situation was
brewing to point where the city
might be placed un Ter martial law.
William Evans. who upon examination
was found to have an infectious dis
ease. was placed in quarantine und er
the charge of Chief Health Officer Roy
X. Flanagan and will be tried when
released.
In regard to the rumors which were
lying thick and fast as to the city
being placed under military control
Assistant District Attorney Smith pos
itively denied that he had made the
statement or even intimatcd that Rich
mond was liable TO be placed under
martial law. On the other hand, he
specifically called attention to the
statement that he had made in open
court to the effect that the govern
ment did not intend any usurpation OF
authority. II have too much pride
and interest in Richmond TO desire
that martial law be declared in this
city" was the earnest reply OF Mr.
Smith when his attention was called
to this matter.
WERE HERE ON OFFICIAL
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
At the beginning of the tria,
the position of the military authori-
ties. and stated that Lieutenant
West and the other two men with him
were obeying orders end were On Of
fetal government business. Because
of this reason, he demanded the re-
lease Of these men. as we'll as the
women. Later on, it developed that
Wright and Evans. as we'll as lcunice
w dihcl Acold OltHpSOn, nau Et ell
brought to this city by Lieutenant West
In the performance of his duty. The
vigorous assertion OF government rep
resentativcs was that West had not
transcended his authority. Moreover. 1t
was cmphatically stated that the men
were not and had not been in the same
room with the women. but that they
had occupied separate apartments.
These mon were at The house when
they were arrested ny orders of their
superior officers" said Mr. Saith. They
were acting under orders. and ! am
authorized to state that Lieutenant
West will not disclose why. how or
when he was here. The men and the
women arrested with him were brought
from Petersburg"
Justice Crutchheld then replied that
he was not aware that Richmond was
under martial law and he wanted to