Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-16
BOARD IS NAMED /.
TO INQUIRE into
HAITIAN WRONGS
May Meet Here Next Week to
Hear Witnesses, Daniels
Announces.

|
states Marines in Haiti" and particu-
iarIy the reference to 'indiscriminate ,
klllings" in Brig. Gen. Barnett's con-
haential letter of a year ago to Col.
'ohn II. Russell, marine commander
/ in Haiti
me board. which is composed of
nea1 Admirals Henry I. Mayo and J.
otVer and Brig. Gen. J. Fl. Pendle-
ION OF the Marine Corps, has been di-
rected to "sift every bit of evidence"
MI. Daniels said. Ito the end that any
luan IN American uniform guilty of
"I9hedotng shall be brought to trial
and punished"
Burnett Called Back.
Gen; Barnett. former commandment of
.he Marine Corps, who left Washing
ton Thursday for San Francisco. has
peen recalled to Washington, Score
uay Daniels said. to appear before
1he BOARD as witness.
board May Meet Here.
The board will meet here next week.
secretary Daniels announced today,
witnesses before going to Haiti t.
continue the inquiry.
me Secretary said he assumed that
Inc hearings would be public but
to determine.
search for an former members Of
the Marine Corps implicated in un-
lawful killings of bandits in Haiti
py the testimony of witnesses heard
by Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune. com
mandant of the corps, in his recent
investigations there was instituted
ihmeol ately upon Gen. Lejeune's re-
Turn 10 washington, Mr.. Daniels said.
ne added that it was hoped that these
oefore the board
me naval Secretary also announced
that the judge advocate general of the
navy without waiting for the findings
u me board, would institute court
martial proceedings in all cases where
there was already sufficient evidence
to warrant it.
another announcement was that
rear Admiral Harry S. Knapp. who is
now making a study of Conditions in
Haiti. would be sent to Santo Domingo
20 investigate and report on the sit
uation there. Mr.. Daniels said this
INJURY was not occasioned by any
ievlaence of misconduct by marines
Istatloned in Santo Domingo.
Secretary Daniels also made public
Col: Russelrs report on the investi-
gatlon ordered by Gen. Barnett Al
lnough directed to the department un-
never reached there. the Secretary
said. until brought back by Maj. Gen.
John A. Lejeune, commandant Of the
corps, on his recent return from
HAITI; A joint report of Gen. Lejeune
and Brig. Gen. Smedley B. Butler, who
accompanied the Marine Corps COM
mandant to Haiti, giving the result of
supplementary investigation made
oy them during their visit to Haiti,
| also was given out.
Col. RusselPs Report.
Col. Russelrs report of last March.
giving the result of the investigation
ordered by Gen. Barnett as a result of
| evidence adduced at the trial Of two
Marine Corps privates. which showed,
the general said. there had been
OF captive bandits. placed the re-
sponsibility for Conditions In north
ern Haiti on Maj. Clarke H. Wells,
VINO mad previously been in command
Expressing doubt as to whether evil
! dence secured in the investigation
was sufficient to warrant trial by
general court-martial on charges Of
recommended that the evidence be
placed before the judge advocate gem
erai or the Navy. for determination as
to whether the officer should be tried.
Court-MartiaI Urged.
While agreeing with Col Russell
as to Maj. Wells responsibility for
conditions. the report of Gems. Lee
1eune ana Butler recommended court
martial proceedings as well against
all persons implicated who can be
brought within the jurisdiction of the
! court"
That there had been illegal execu-
ton OF prisoners" in northern Haiti,
known to Brig. Gen. A w. Catlin,
then commanding in Haiti, when he
made an investigation the following
March" the two generals reported
He transferred the officers against
whom charges were made, but took
no further disciplinary action"
| Declaring examination of witnesses
showed a serious bandit situation"
in northern Haiti that winter, which
was badly handled" by Mai Wells
as commanding officer, the report con-
tinued
Told to Report "Quiet."
"A number of these witnesses also
stated that the above mentioned Off
Ger gave his subordinate officers or
ders to report everything quiet in
spite of the fact that collisions with
the bandits were frequently taking
place. These witnesses also stated
that. in their opinion. this officer de-
sired to conceal the true state Of af-
fairs from his superiors SO as to pre-
went the gendarmes (native constab-
ulary) under his command from being
superseded by the marines, who, at
that time. were concentrated at Port
au Prince and Cape Haitian. Some
evidence indicates that his orders to
officers were partly responsible for i'll
legal executions.
During the months of November
and December, 1918. and January, 1919,
several bandit prisoners were illegal
liy executed at Hinche by gendarmes
acting under orders of their officers.
and there is strong evidence that
GARNER Jean, the notary at Maissade,
was killed by the gendarme officer on
duty at that place.
! we deem it appropriate, however.
! to state at this time that the conduct
above outlined is not indicative of
| the general state of affairs in the
gendarmerie of Haiti. but that it
| constituted an exception to the gen.
(, eral rule of good conduct on the part
! of its officers and men,"
| Ordered Search OF Files.
In making public the Russell re-
| port Secretary Daniels said il was
I first brought to his attention that
the report had not been received at
| the department when reference was
made to it in the advance copy Of a
magazine article submitted to him.
| He at once asked Brig. Gen. Barnett
F., II he knew Of it's whereabouts. the
| Secretary said. and later ordered a
| search of the department dlss. 1t
was not found, and Maj. Gen. Lejuene
then was ordered to Haiti to make
another investigation Of the whole
! AFFAIR, Mr.. Daniels said.
Declaring 1t was unfortunate that
Gen. Barnett should have addressed a
..personal and CONFIDENTIAL letter to
Col. Russell, which did not appear in
the official files. Mr.. Daniels said the
generals recent report was "the first
intimation that ever came to me that
| indiscrimiAate killings by marines
-. tho pendaYmerie in Haiti"