Arizona republican., 1920-12-19
NAVAL COURT IT INQUIRY REPORT CLEARS MARINES IN HAITI PROBE
Report Says General Bar. nett's Charges HI Con. sidered And Unwarranted Marines Exonerated
Republican A. p. Leased wIrel


 WASHINGTON. Dec. 1S-The naval court of inquiry which investigated the conduct of the marines in Hayti report ed to Secretary Daniels today that there had been no proper grounds" for the statement by Brigadier General George Barnett former commandant of the marine corps, that the force had been guilty of practically indiscriminate killing" of Haitians.
 After careful survey the court, pre- sided over by Read Admiral Henry T. Mayo, found General Barnett's charges were ''ill considered, regrettable and. thoroughly unwarranted reflections" on the work of the marine corps in Haiti. adding that the corps had performed difficult, dangerous and delicate duty worthy of the highest commendation.
 The marines virtually were given clean bill of health by the court. which declined to recommend trial by court martial of Freeman Lang of Los An geles, and Doras Williams of Birming- ham, Ala. charged by native witnesses with the murder of Haitans- Indeed, the Lang and Williams cases were not mentioned.
 In all 'isolated'' cases of unjustifiable conduct by marines the court found disciplinary action had been taken
 The findings as made public were ap- proved by Secretary Daniels and Ma1or General John A. Lejeune, commandant of the marine corps.
 The courts findings follow: The court finds two unjustifiahle homicides have been committed, one each by two of the personnel of the United States naval service which has served in Hayti since July 2s. 1915, and 1 -txz afh aNfS of VIf- fence have been perpetuated against citizens of Haiti by individuals of such personnel.
 The court finds that these offenses were all isolated acts of individuals and that in every case the responsible party was brought to trial, convicted and sem tenced
 The court has found no evidence of the commission of any other unjus- tifiable homieides or other serious un- justifiable acts of oppression or ot violence against any of the citizens oi Haiti or unjustifiable damage or de- struction of their property caused by any of the personnel in question.
 Tn view of the fact that the only lunjustifiable acts found to have beer committed are those wherein disciplin- ary action has been taken and whert no further proceedings could be had 1T the matter, the court has not deemed it necessary to report further as to re sponsibility.
 Conclusions
 Referring to paragraph 2 of the pre- cept. it is the conclusion of the court that there have been no proper grounds for the statement that practically in discriminate killing of natives has beer going on for some time" as alleged 1T the letter from Brigadier General Geo Barnett. United States Marine corps to Col. John F. Russell. United States Marine corps.
 Referring to the amendment to the precept. calling for the conclusions l of the court as to the general conduel If the personnel of the naval service in Haiti, the court does not considei that the small number of isolated
 crimes or offenses that have beer committed by a few individuals of th' l service are entitled to any considera' bIe weight in forming a conclusion a. , to the general conduct of such per l sonnel. It was inevitable some or lenses would be committed. How
 ever, considering the conditions O
 service in Haiti, it is remarkable tha the offenses were so few in numbe
 and that they all may be chargeabl'
 to the ordinary defects of human
 character, such defects as result in tn
 commission of similar offenses in tn 2 United States and elsewhere.
 The general conduct of our troop I can be fairly judged by the result 0 : the occupation.
 @ Life Secure in Haiti . Now for the first time in more thai ] hundred years tranquility and SC