Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-10-16
kN|ELS DEFENDS MARINES ON DUTY | IN VIRGIN ISLES
Nv Secretary Says De-
 |nartment Will Welcome Investigation

kKES PUBLIC TWO REPORTS OF OFFICERS mments Show Probes Made Fol- owing Reports of What Was Termed "Indiscriminate Killings
 Fashington, Oct. 15.-A congress l kal investigation of conditions in Ri will be welcomed by the navy krtment, Secretary Daniels declar- nnon his return to Washington \ a political speaking tour in kh Carolina. He said the con- Is;onal committee which visited Virgin Islands last year did not on the departments suggestion hclude Haiti in it's itinerary. kfending the record of the Ma
 in Haiti, MT. Daniels declared all records bearing upon the in- Eeation ordered last year by Brig.
 Barnett, then commandant of Marine Corps, would be made |ic. The secretary said General lett could not have intended to lev the impression in his letter tring the inquiry that he had Id evidence of general inriscrim-
 killing,' of natives by the Ma
 and that he must have referred
 to the parties involved in the &court martial cases then before eretary Daniels at the same time
 public Colonel Russell's report he investigation ordered by Gen l Barnett. Although directed to Department under date of March 1920, the report never reached the secretary said, until ght back by Major General John ejuene, commandant of the corps lis recent return from Haiti. A
 report of General LeJeune and edier General Smedley D. Butler
 accompanied the Marine corps hander to Haiti, giving the re- of supplementary investigation
 by them during their visit to was also given out.
 Placed Responsibility
 lionel Russell's report of last (h giving the result of the in- gation ordered by General Bar las a result of evidence abducted ke trial of two marine corps pri-
 which showed the general said.
 had been practically "undis- (nate killings" of captive bandits. kd the responsibility for "condi- in northern Haiti on Major ke H. Wells, who had previously in command of that district.
 pressing doubt as to whether ev- fe secured in the investigation "sufficient to warrant trial by fal court martial on charges of serious nature," Colonel Rus recommended that the evidence laced before the Judge Advocate ral of the Navy for determina- as to whether the officer should lied.
 hile agreeing with Colonel Rus As to Major Wells responsibility he conditions, the report of Gen.
 Lejeune and Butler recommend burt martial proceedings against persons implicated. who can be eht within the Jurisdiction of kourt."
 lat there had been illegal exe- n of prisoners in northern Haiti hg the winter of 1918-19," be-
 known to Brigadier General A. Gatlin, then commanding in Haiti,
 he made an investigation there following March, the two generals kted.
 e transferred the officers against m the charges were made, but no further disciplinary action."
 Bad Bandit Situation
 Rclaring examination of witnesses Fed "a serious bandit situation" orthern Haiti that winter, which
 badly handled" by Major Wells commanding officer ,the report 6nued:
 bring the months of November December 1918, and January 1919 ral bandit prisoners were illegal Eecuted at Hinche by Gendarmes Pg under orders of their officers
 there is strong evidence that per Jean. the notary at Maissade killed by the gendarme officer Puty at that place.
 making public the Russell re-
 today, Secretary Daniels said it
 first brought to his attention the report had not been received the department when reference made to it in the advance cor< of agazlne article submitted to him at once asked Brigadier General nett If he knew of it's whereabouts secretary said, and later. ordered farch of the department files. II
 not found and Major General pune then was ordered to Haiti nake another investigation of the Nrs, MT. Daniels said.
 eclaring it was unfortunate tha, erai Barnett should have address.
 personal and confidential" let. 10 Colonel Russell which did not gar in the official files MT. Dan.
 said the generals recent report
 the first intimation that eve,
 10 me that anybody had eve,
 there ever had haan f;rd;s..;