New-York tribune., 1920-10-16
Rear Adznirals Mayo and
Oliver and Brig. Gen.
Pendleton Named by
Daniels to Obtain Facts
Guilty Officers
To Be Punished
Barrett to Aid Inquiry;
Illegal Killings Verified
by Marine Corps Inquiry

IRON 1he Tribune'S Washington Burcow
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-Senatol
Harding's charge that numerous ma
tives in Hayti were killed by Ameri-
can marines, which was substantiated
Wednesday when the Navy Depart
ment made public the report of Major
General George Barnett, alleging Gin
discriminate killing" of Haytians, is
to be further investigated by the Navy
Department to ascertain all details of
alleged illegal acts during the Ameri-
can occupation of the Black Republic.
A naval board of inquiry, composed
OF Rear Admirals Henry T. Mayo and
j. II. Oliver and Brigadier General
). IL. Pendlcton, was named to-day by
Secretary of the Navy Daniels with
complete authority to investigate and
recommend punishment for marines
and others involved in the series Of
executions which are alleged to have
brought dishonor to members of the
corps who served in Hayti.
Barnett TO Aid Inquiry
Secretary Daniels at the same time
recalled to Washington Major General
George Barnett, who had reached Chi
cago on his way to his new assign
ment on the Pacific Coast. He has in
structed the former commandant of
the Marine Corps to co0perate with
the board of inquiry in its ;nvestica-
tlon.
The Secretary of the Navy likewise
disclosed that the Judge Advocate Cen
eral OF the Marine Corps had been in
structed to prepare court-martial
charges against all the Marine Corps
olhcers Who have Deen involved in the
IN the island Severe punishment. he
SAID, would be meted out to all the
'gullty parties"
Reports Of Colonel j. II. Russell,
commander of the marine detachments
IN haytl, and Of Major General John A.
Leg and Brigadier General Smed-
ley hutler, disclosing more details of
the NAL administration in Hayti, also
We're made available to the press TO-
day by Secretary Daniels.
IRE reports OF the Marine Corps of
tlclal S show that Major Clarke H.
Wells, former commander of the native
constabulary forces i. northern Hayti,
ana a Captain DoXey, a subordinate to
Wells, dlsobeyed orders and failed to
prevent the illegal execution of several
bandit prisoners at Hinche in Novem-
Der and December, 1918, and January
1919.
Every officer who has served in
lfayti during the period Of these illegal
acts Secretary Daniels promised to-
day, will be called before the board
of inquiry. General Barnett will be
especially assigned to aid the inquiry
and subp9nas will be issued for
Brigadier General Cole, former com
mandant in Hayti; Brigadier General
Catlln, who made an investigation
there; Colonel Russell, the present
commandant, and others. All steps will
be made to clear up the whole situa-
ti0n."
Mr.. Daniels also said that private
citizens who have investigated condi-
tons in Hayti would be called before
the board.
rress to-day Secretary Daniels asserts
that he believes General Barnett was
not justified in declaring the executions
in Hayti warranted the Characterization
"indiscriminate killing"
In his report" Secretary Daniels's
statement said General Barnett says
that late in September, 1919, the cases
of Johnson and McQuilkin for unlawful
executions came to his attention, and
on October 2. 1919, he says he wrote
of these unlawful acts to General Rus
sell, and in that letter said: The court
martial of one private for the killing
of native brought out statement by
his counsel which showed me that prac
tically indscriminate killing of natives
had gone on for some time
Il never knew of the existence of
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