New-York tribune., 1920-10-14
Harding Charge Justified
by Official Report of
$3.50 Natives Slain by
u. S. Marines and Police
Barnett Shocked
Beyond Expression
Inquiry Ordered i'm Octo-
ber, 1919; Facts We're
All known to Daniels

From The sTribuae's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.--The charge
by Senator Harding that the marine
control of Hayti had resulted in the
killing of thousands of natives was
substantiated officially to-day by Sec
retary Daniels in making public the
report of a comprehensive investigation
in Hayti made by Major General George
Barnett, formerly commandant of the
Marine Corps.
General Barnett changed that "prac-
tically indiscriminate killing of natives
had been disclosed as a result of an
investigation which was made when a
native prisoner was killed by marine
General Barnetts report, which
totaled 100 pages, admitted that $3.50
natives were killed either by the Amerl-
can marines or the gendarmere (nativc
constabulary) during the period of oc-
cupation by United States naval forces
The report also disclosed that evil
dence Of "practically indscriminate
killing Of Haytian natives by United
tenton of Colonel John H. Russell
commanding the marine forces in the
island, by General Barnett in con-
fdcntial letter in October, 1919. In
this letter General Barnett called for
an immediate and thorough investiga
tion of conditions in Hayt and warned
the commanding officer that abuses
must be corrected at once.
Daniels Informed of Conditions
1t is also disclosed that Secretary
Daniels was informed of conditions in
Hayti in January, 1920, and that he ap-
proved of the investigation ordered by
General Barnett. General Barnett said
that while Colonel RUSSELL made a
special report Of his investigation to
Secretary Daniels on March 20 it was
not received by the general up to the
time he was succeeded as commandant
of the corps by Major General John A.
Leieunc on June 80.
EvideAcc given at the courtmartial
of two privates for the alleged unlaw-
full execution Of captive Haytian ban
dts gave General Barnett his first
knowledge of the conditions COM
planned of by Senator Harding.
General Barnett's letter to Colonel
Russell directing an immediate inves-
tigation said that he was "shocked be-
yond expression" to hear of such con
ditions in Hayti and ito know that it
was at all possible that duty could be
so badly performed by marines of any
class"
AS result of the investigation in
structions are issued by Colonel Rus
sell to all marine officers and officers
of the native gendarmerie that condi-
tions disclosed in the evidence of the
court martial proceedings "be correct
ed at once" and the "guilty parties
brought to justice" Another result OF
the investigation ordered by General
corvee (forced labor) system in Hayti
Further referring to the court martial
evidence General Barnett said
81 think this is the most startling
thing of its kind that has ever taker
place in the marine corps, and | dom
want anything of the kind to happer
again"
Return of Witnesses Ordered
Later correspondence between marine
corps headquarters and Colonel Rus
sell showed that, at the latters re
quest, testimony of marine corps of
fccrs in the United States who hat
served previously WAS secured anC
forwarded to Colonel Russell. Genera
Barnett also informed Colonel Rus
sell that he had ordered the return tt
Hayti of "such people as may seen
necessary" adding that he would b.
Uniformed by radio when they start.
Whether any marines were returned
to Hayti as a result of this order wa!
not revealed in the report.
The letter of General Barnett wa
written to Colonel Russell following
the evidence adduced at the trial o
Privates Walter E. Johnson and Johl
J. McQuilkin jr. 1t follows:
"(Personal and confidential,)
October ,, 1919.
"NIy Dear Colonel:
"Since you left here several thing
have come to my notice with referenc
to the affairs of Hayt, especially il
relation to the duties of the gen
darmeric in the interior. The cour
martial of one private for the killing
of a native prisoner brought out
statement by his counsel which showe'
me that practically indiscriminat
killing of natives has gone on TO
some time. I had General Long writ
you about this matter few day
Continued on page four