New-York tribune., 1920-12-19
Marines Given
Clean Bill in
Hayti Inquiry
Naval Court Asserts That
Charges of Illegal Killing
of Natives Are Unwarrant-
ed: Praise, Not Criticism
Barnett Faces Reprimand
Report Declares That All
Acts of Violence by Amer
leans Have Been Punished
From. rns ~rssure's washington Bweau

From rhe e~,oure's WASHINGTON Bl4requ
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1S.-Practical-
iv complete exoneration of the Ameri-
can marines Of charges of Illegal kill
ing Of native Haytians is contained in
the report OF the Mayo board of in
ouiry, made public to-day by Secre-
tsry of the Navy Daniels.
The court found that two unjusti- /
fable homicides and sixteen other seri-
Gus acts of violence were chargable to
marines since the occupation Of the
island in July, 1915. and that punish I
men. had been meted out by naval
courts for each act.
No proper grounds for the statement
made by Brigadier General George
Barnett, former commandant of the
Marine Corps, that practically indis- I
criminate killing Of natives has been
going on for some time" were found by
the court. On the contrary, the courts
investigation disclosed that the Amer (
lean army of occupation was worthy of
the "highest commendation."
Barnett May Be Disciplined
The report of the inquiry carries the
broad inference that disciplinary ac-
ton may be administered to General
Barnett, whose reference to the "in-
discriminate Killings" coupled VITA
the outspoken criticism of the con-
duct OF the marines in Hayti by Pres-
dent-elect Harding during the cam
paign, resulted in the appointment OF
the Mayo board.
Secretary Daniels declined to make
any comment to-day on the findings Of
the naval court. He said that he would l.
60 over the report with the Judge Ad-
vocate General of the Navy before de-
Gliding future action.
Ine courts report was signed by
Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo. as presi
dent, and Major Jesse F. Dyer, as Judge
advocate. Under the. heading 'fnd-
ings Of facts" the court said;
"The court finds that two uniusti
fable homie des have been committed. (
one each by two of the personnel Of /
the United States Naval Service, which /
has served in Hayti since July IS, 1915, |
and that sixteen other serious acts of
violence have been perpetrated against
citizens of Hayti during the same
period By individuals of such person
mel.
Offenders Tried and Sentenced
"The court finds these offenses were
all isolated acts of indiv duals, and /
that IN every case the responsible T
party was duly brought to trial before
general court martial, convicted and /
sentenced.
The court has found no evidence of
the commission Of any other unjusti-
fable homicides or other serious IN
justifable acts of oppression or of vio-
lence aga nst any Of the tizens Of
Hayti or unjustifable damage or de-
struction Of their property caused by
any of the personnel in question.
In view of the fact that the only
unjustifable acts found by the court to
have been committed are those wherein
disciplinary action has already been
taken and where no further proceed
ings could be had in the matter, the
court has not deemed it necessary to
report further upon the question of re-
sponsib.lity."
In giving its conclusions the court
said
II is the conclusion of the court that
there have been no proper grounds for .
the statement that practically indis-
criminate killing Of natives has been
going On for some time as alleged in
the letter from Br.gad er General .
George Barnett to Colonel John H. Rus
SELL"
Task Dangerous and Thanlless
Touching IN the general conduct OF
the marines during the occupation, the .
court said:
"The court does not consider that /
the small number of isolated crimes or
ofenses that have been committed by .
few individuals Of the service are en-
titled to any considerable weight in /
forming a conclusion as to the gen
eral conduct cf sucn personnel. It was .
inevitable that some Offenses would be [
committed. However, considering the
conditions OF service in Hayti, If is /
remarkable that the ofenses we're 50
few in number and that they all may
be chargable 10 the ordinary defects
OF human character, such defects as
result in the commission Of similar .
ofenses in the United States and else /
where in the best regulated com
munities"
The court declared that tranquility .
and security of life and property now
prevail in Hayti for the first time in
more than hundred years. ard that
The Haytian people welcomed the
coming OF our men and are unwilling
10 have them depart" The task Of es-
raolishlng good oIder in the republic f
Ia described in the courts report a q
dangerous and thankless task" which !
he marines tave performed with /
fdelity and great galantry."
Charge Thoroughly Unwarranted
In ccaclualng It's report the court
declares:
after a careful study Of the mat
ters in issue. based not only on the
EVIDENCE in the record, but also upon I
other original and reliable sources
o. inforr alton. and the courts own
obseryations While in Hayti, the court
fegares the cnarges which have been
published ~ ill-considercd. rcgrettablc
ana thoroughly unwarranted reHec-
,l>ns on norton II The United StAtca
hsrire Corps which has performed
riheplt, dangerous and delicate duty
N haytI in 4 manner which. instead of
cs,tr2 1or adverze criticisrn, is on
o''ed 10 the highest cor1mcndation"