Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-22
ARMY DECLARESNO
MARITAL Law NEED
Available Regular Troops in
City and Vicinity All Are
Cooperating Here
CIVIL CONTROL EXPECTED

War Department officials generally
are agreed that existing conditions
do not call for the establishment OF
martial law in the District OF Column
| bia and the suspension OF all civil
jurisdiction in the administration OF
law.
Secretary Baker and Gen. March.
| chief Of STAFF. spent most of the fore
noon at the Capitol. In their absence
, none of the officials at the department
| would venture prediction as to what
additional steps may be taken by the
federal authorities for the complete
suppression of lawlessness in this
city. 1t was explained that all the
available regular troops in this vicin-
ity. including the cavalry at Fort
Myer and the infantry on East Poto-
| mac Park, are cooperating actively
with the local police force for the
preservation of peace and good order.
Confidence is expressed that the sit
uation soon will be under complete
control and'that it will not be neces-
sary to call additional troops from
more distant posts, much less to re-
! sort to the drastic measures of mar
tial law.
Lieut.. Col. Millikin in Charge.
Lieut.. Cob John Millikin. United
States Cavalry, a member of the gen
eral staff of the Army on duty at
the War Department. has been speci-
! ally assigned to duty as provost mar
shall OF the District. relieving Capt.
herman, SD Infantry. and has been
| authorized to increase the provost
guard here to the limits of available
forces during the present exigency.
1t is said that the guard is capable
| of taking care of all men in the mill
q ry-i hN hA OF n.fx
on the streets Of Washington, but has
| no jurisdiction over discharged SOL
diers, regardless of whether they are
T, in uniform or not. Discharged soldiers
are classed as civilians and are ac-
countable only to the local police for
violations of law 49,
The last time martial law prevailed
In the District of Columbia was just
after the civil war. more than fifty
years ago, when it was established
by President Johnson for the special
purpose of trying the Lincoln cor
spirators by military commission in
stead of by the civil courts.
That course is not likely to be fol-
ept in the event that the District
Commissioners represent that they
cannot cope with the situation and
! call on the President of the United
Effect of Martial Law.
Should martial law be declared in
the District OF Columbia ii would have
the effect, it is stated, of suspending
functions of the civil court, as the
military authorities would punish the
law violators. The court could proceed
with the trial cases already prepared.
but would lack jurisdiction over Of
lenses committed after the city had
been placed under military rule.
The proclamation of martial law es-
tablishes. according to the books, the
will of the military commander as the
rule of authority. 1t will, however.
not be exercised arbitrarily. and usu-
ally it supersedes the local law only
so far as necessary for the preserva-
ton of order.
The duration of martial law is de-
termined by the necessity which led
to its establishment, and it, therefore.
ceases as soon as the civil authorities
are able to resume the INSTRUCTED ex
ercise Of their ordinary function.
Trial of violations under martial
law are usually summary. The &C
cused could not secure delay by ask
ing for a jury trial or for the usual
continuances, but would be taken at
once before a military tribunal and
there have his guilt or innocence de-
termined. The sentence could be i'm
posed by the military authorities.