Arizona republican., 1920-10-16
DANIELS ORDERS COMPLETE PROBE. IF MARINE ACTS. LIN HAITI ISLE
Naval Secretary Promises To Punish Those Guilty Of Brutality In Haiti; Major Wells Accused
TRepubIIean A. Q. Leased WIrel


 WASHINGTON. Oct. 15-Secretary Daniels announced today that he had appointed a board of inquiry to make n thorough investigation of "all wrongs alleged to have been committed by United States marines fin Haitf' and particularly the reference to "indis- criminate killings." in Brlgadier Gen. eral Banetts confidential letter of year ago to Colonel J. IT. Russell, marine commander in Haiti.
 General Barnett. former commandant of the marine corps. who left Wash ington for San Francisco yesterday. has been recalled to Washington. Sec rotary Daniels said. to appear before the board as a witness.
 The board. which is composed of Rear Admirals Henry F. Mayo and J. fl. Oliver and Brigadier General J. H. Pendleton of the marine corps. has been directed to "sift every bit of evil dence," Mir. Daniels said, to the end that "any man in American uniform guilty of wrongdoing shall be brought to trial and punished.
 Secretary Daniels at the same time made public Colonel Russells report on the investigation ordered by Gen. eral Barnett. Although directed to the department under date of March 10. 1920. the reAort never reached there. tn0 HCOEClAIY HAlun uHtn DlQ0Nnt Ao(h by Major General John A. LeJeune, commandant of the corps. on his re- rent return from Haiti. A joint report of General Lejeune and Brigadier Gen. eral s. ID. Butler. who accompanied the marine corps commandant to Haiti. giving the result of a supplementary investigation made by them during their visit to Haiti. also was given out.
 Colonel Russell's report of last March. giving the result of the in- vestigation ordered by General Bar nett as a result of evidence adduced nt the trial of two marina corps pri- yates which showed, the general said there had been practically indiscrim- mate killing" of captive bandits, placed the responsibility for conditions" in northern Haiti on Major Clarke IT. Wells. who had previously been in command of that district.
 Expressing doubt as to whether evil dence secured in the investigation was sufficient to warrant trial by general court martial on charges of such a serious nature" Colonel Russell rec commended that the evidence be pi>ced before the judge advocate general oi the navy for determination as to whether the officer should be tried.
 Recommend Court Martial
 While agreeing with Colonel Russell as to Major Wells responsibility fol conditions. the report of Generals Le. ieune and Butler recommended cour martial proceedings as well agains 'all persons implicated who can b, brought within the Jurisdiction of thu court"
 That there had been illegal execu ton of prisoners" ia northern Halt during the winter of 1o1S-19, "becam known to Brigadier General A. W. Cat lin, then commanding in Haiti. whe' he made an investigation the followin March," the two generals reported.
 He transferred the officers agains whom charges were made, but took m further disciplinary action"
 Declaring examination of witnesse showed a serious bandit situation in northern Haiti that winter whic was badly handled" by Major Well as commanding officer, the report con tinued:
 "A number of these witnesses als stated that the above mentioned offl cer rave his subordinates orders { report everything quiet in spite ( the fact that collisions with the ban dlts were frequently taking plac These witnesses also stated that. their opinion, this officer desired { conceal the true tsate of affairs froi his superiors SO as to prevent tf rendarrnes (naval constabulary) undo his command from being superseds by the marines. who. at that tim were concentrated at Port au Prime and Cape Haitian. Some evidence IT aicates that his orders to officers wei partly responsible for illegal execi lions.
 "During the months of Novemh and December 1918. and January. l9l ueveral bandit prisoners were Illegal executed at fIinche by gendarmcs ac Ing under orders of their officers, ai there fs strong evidence that Garni Jean the notary at Maissade, VI killed by the gendarme officer on du at that place. -,
 we deem it appropriate, howev' to state at this time that the condu ahove outlined is not indie. tive of q general state of affairs in the gends merle of Haiti, but that it constitut mn exception to the general rule on t mart of its officers and men,.
 In making public the Russell rep6 today. Secretary Daniels said tt W first brought to his attention that | report had not been received at ' department when reference was hla to it in the advance copy or mas zinc article submitted to him. iie once asked Brigadier General Barn if he knew of its whereabouts, the SC retary said, and later ordered scar of the department files. It was found and Major General LeJeu then was ordered to Haiti to make Q other investigation of the affair Daniels said.
 Declaring it was "unfortunate' ti General Barnett should have address personal nd confidential letter Colonel Russell. which did not app' in the official files. Mr. paniels a the generals recent report was
 first intimation that ever came 70 t that anybody had ever said there e had been indiscriminato killings
 Marines of tho gendarmerie .n Hal