The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

disciplinary action has already been
taken, and where no further proceedings
could be had in the matter. the court mas
not deemed IL necessary TO report fur-
Their upon the question Of responsibility
No Ground for Charges.
Conclusion: Referring to paragraph
of the precept. 1t is the conclusion OF
the court that there have been no proper
grounds for the statement that prac-
tically indiscriminase killing of natives
has been going on for some time, as
alleged in the letter from Brig. Ten
George Barnett, United States Marine
Corps. to Col. John II. Russell, United
States Marine Corps
referring to the amendment 10 the
recent calling for the conclusions or the
court as to the general conduct OF the
personnel of the naval service in Haltl'
the court does not consider that the
small number of isolated crimes or OF
fences that have been committed by
few individuals of the service during the
priod in question are entitled to any con-
Siderable weight in forming concur
sion as to the general conduct OF sucn
personnel. 1t was inevitable that SONIC
offences would be committed
"Howver. considering the conoitions
of service in Hayti, 1t is remarKapie
that the offences were so few In number
and that thy all may be chargeapie ~
tbe ordinary defect of human character
such defects as result in the commission
of similar offences in the United STATES
ana elsewhere in thes best regulated COM
munities.
"rhe general conduct of our troops or
OCCUPATION can be fairly judged by the
results of that occupation
"Nov for the first time In more than
q hundred years tranquility and secur-
ity of life and property may be SAID 10
prevail in Hayti.
"The Haytian people themselves well
coined the coming OF our men anu are
unwilling to have them depart
"The establishment and maintenance
~ tranquil conditions and then Of secur-
itv of life and property all over the Re-
nublic of Hayti has been an arduous and
dangerous an dthankless task. That
tasl, our marines have performed with
fidelity and great gallantry.
Marines Work Praised.
.oThe court cannot refrain from re-
cording it's opinion of much. and that
the most serious part, of the reflections
which have been made upon the officers
who have served in Hayti
1.-THE outstanding characteristic or
those officers, from the brigade command
er down, has been their sympathetic atti-
tude toward every step that would lead
to a betterment of the country and to
Improvement in the physical, mental
and moral conditions of the population.
with slender resources and made
uuate administrative authority, they
have accomplished much, where any
thing more than suppression of organ
iezd insurrection seemed impossible.
THE above remarks apply with par
ticular force to those officers and en-
listed men of the Marine Corps who
have been serving as officers of the
gesdarmerie of Hayti.
after a careful study of the matters
In issue, based not only on the evidence
in the record, but also upon other orig
inal and reliable sources of information,
and the courts own observations while
in Hayti, the court regards the. charges
which have been published as Ill con-
sdered, regrettable and thoroughly I'M
warranted reflections on portion or
the u. S. Marine Corps, which has per-
formed difficult, dangerous and delicate
duty in Hayti in a manner which, in
stead of calling for adverse criticism, Is
entitled to the highest commentator.
"The record of the proceedings of this
twenty-ffrst day of the inquiry as read
and approved, and the court having fin
ished the inquiry, then, at IL o'clock
A. NJ. adjourned to await the action of
the converting authority.
III. T. MAYO, Rear Admiral y. 8. Navy.
president:
Jesse F. DYER. Major. U. 8. Marine
Corps, Judge Advocate"