Evening journal., 1919-01-01
SOLDIER GUARDS
PATROL STREETS
CONTINUED from page one J

Continued from page one.)
streets, caused much comment last
night, and while the police officials say
the presence Of the military police was
to stop fights between soldiers sta
toned here. a free for all fight between
enlisted men said 10 be from the bar
racks here, was staged in Market street,
between Fifth and Sixth streets.
About II o'clock last night, John Wal
ton. aged i6 years. Of Charlestown. w.
Va, living at the Sunday Breakfast Mis-
sion, was assaulted at Fifth and Shipley
streets, by a soldier. According TO civil
ians who say they witnessed the affair,
the soldier struck the youth with a
club. The civilian was removed to the
Delaware Hospital In the police patrol.
Those who witnessed the assault
grabbed the soldier but later released
him. Walton, according TO his state
ment to the police, was talking TO a
friend when he was assaulted. He was
unable to say who struck him. The
youth was kept at the hospital for
treatment until noon today and dis
charged
When Major Weyler was asked about
this incident today, he stated that two
OF his soldiers who witnessed the as
sault from the other side OF the street
stated the soldier who hit the youth
wore a red cord about his hat, donat-
Ing that he came from Aberdeen, Md
or from Fort DUPONT. They made no
arrests, however, saying that the affair
happened so suddenly and that they
were some distance away. They denied
that the soldier used a club, but said
n truck Walton with his flst.
Major Weyler also made the state
ment today that about II o'clock last
night two OF his men lifted a drunken
civilian 10 his feet at Front and Mon |
roe streets and they were at once as
saulted by a party of civilians and the |
soldiers were fired on. Major Weyler
said that when he asked the police sta
tion for officers TO go TO the scene he
was Informed that no men were avail
able for this purpose. The report OF
the shooting was received at the police
station and Police Captain Wardle sent
a number Of men 10 the scene later but
a thorough search OF that section fall
ed to throw any light on the case. not
a citizen being found who had heard
any shots. Although Patrolman Laskow-
ski was standing within a square OF
The place where the shooting was re-
ported he says he head no reports OF
firearms.
Major Weyler, In speaking OF the po-
icing OF the city by the soldiers, today
iaid the soldier guard had been asked
'or by Mayor Lawson and the Police
the idea being 10 pre-
vent trouble between the discharged
soldiers who are arriving home.
But it seems that whatever we do
S condemned" the major said
"The police and the newspapers at
ack us. and II we are not wanted TO
io-operate in policing the city, the De-
,artment Of the East, which ordered it ,
lone, will, / think, withdraw our men
md let the police handle the situa-
ion"
Continuing Major weyler said: 'The
'ity Is rotten with vice and is rum
All saloons should be smash
ID In. The trouble Is not with the
'eturning soldiers. Our boys are clean,
lut II Is the men and women who are
irving them the rum. Conditions here
RAW thugs and thieves from all parts
II the country"
When Informed that local police rec
rds fail TO show that any Delaware
oldiers have caused trouble here, but ,
hat all the trouble between soldiers
as been among men from outside
amps or places, Major Weyler said
hat only several days ago be shipped =.
ack 20 Camp Dix three Delaware de-
erters, who had been at large here :
nd not molested by the police.
It was also learned today that the !.
welfth Battalion now, stationed here,
xpeots TO be removed this month, and
nited States Regulars are to be sent
ere TO assist In preserving order.
Local police officials say that Il is
for the military authori- J
es 10 police the city, unless TO keep
ieir own men straight and they hold
lat the Delaware men now returning 4
'om the various army camps and the ,
ont are not seeking trouble, but all
ave homes and loved ones here and
re not liable to cause any trouble.
his statement is borne out by the rec
rds OF tho police department which
low that I'm all Of the trouble that has
,ourred recently In which soldiers
leTe engaged none OF the fights was
nong Delaware soldiers.