The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-22
Japanese Sentry Admits Killing
American Officer Without
Reasonable Excuse
CLAIMS THAT RIFLE
FIRED BY ACCIDENT
Testimony Before Japanese
Board of Inquiry Confirms
Ante Mortem Statement of
Lieut.. Langdon


Washington, Jan. 17.-Lieut. w. IL.
Langdon, American naval officer who
was SHOT and killed 10y Japanese
sentry at VladivostOk) January s. was
the y!ct,m of an unprovoNcd attack,
dispatches to jthe estate department.
and to the navy department today
agreed.
Both sets OF dispatches were based
ON statements elected from the ac-
cused sentry by the board of investi-
gaiion and court of inquiry convened
by the Japanese government. The
sentry's statements were described
90 In agreement with the ante-mor-
tenn statement of the affair by Lieu
tenant l-angdOn In that the scutry
was the Grst % fire. The sentry. Who
previously had maintained that the
American officer fired first. also was
reported as having told the court og
inquiry that nc had discharged his
llfe bJ' accident.
The dispatches to the navy depart
mcnt filed by Admiral Glcavcs, COM
manfr' in chief OF the .Asatic fleet.
now eli route to VladivOstok with an
American naval court of inquiry to
investigate the shooting. added that
the sentry had been recommended for
cgurtmartial by the Japanese author
tiles.
While the dispatches received to-
day were more complete than any
that had previously reached Wash
ington. and while officials express
qualification that an agreement had
been reached as TO what actually
happened. no tendency was displayed
In official circles to relax the deter
minatiom to investigate the matter
thoroughly. and for that reason Ad-
rniral Gleaves with his court of in
qutgy will continue on his way to the
Siberian port. State department off,
: cie's a'so continued to await reply
TO the note sent the Japanese govern
ment requesting an explanation of
the incident and assurance that il
would not be repeated.
The state department was informed
In Its dispatches that Lan3don, who
IL described rs "a total abstainer"
was returning TO his ship early on the
morning OF January 8, using flash
light in order TO pick his way along
an Ice covered street. The sentry was
on duty before the headquarters OF
the Japanese Eleventh division.
THE final story and full adniis-
sion OF the sentry the summary of
tho report of tho investigating board
added. made after a thorough inter-
rogation by the Japanese board OF
investigation and court OF inquiry.
was that the sentry left his post and
ran across the street. three times
n.1toA - 1T n
ant Langdon did not halt The sentry
said that he then took position
three PAGES in front OF Lieutenant
langdon with his ride held at the
position Charge bayonets. Lieut.
tenant Langon then stopped. ac~
cording TO the sentry's story. and
shifted tho electric pocket lamp 10
hts left hand cropping with his right
hand In the pockets o. his overcoat.
The sentry asserted that he himself
then took the position For action and
qLeried Lieutenant Langdou with the
words. Russian OF American
THE sentry admitted that he was
very excited hut protested that he
did not intend To shoot Lieutenant
Iangdou but that his purpose was to
seize Lieutenant Langdons electric
nashlignt and compel him to accom-
pany him TO the guard house in or
der that he might ascertain who the
lieutenant was. Ho declared that he
then discharged his rife bv accident
and wounded Lieutenant LaugdOn IN
the breast. Lieutenant langdon firing
two or three revolver sl1ots at him
Admiral GlcuvCS' message TO tho
navy department today said:
Report OF Japanese Cour, Of in
quiry has been received by Allany
Court recommends trial by courtmar-
tiai for Japanese sentry who sho.
langdon. The sentry SO changed h,s
testimony during the court OF In
quiry. that his TESTIMONY and Lang
don's antc-mortcm statement prac-
!, tically coincide"
Admiral Glcaves also forwarded io
che department tho following dis
patch from Capt. L. G.. Richardson.
commanding officer of 'hc Albany.
Tomorrow afternoon General Oi
will call officially to deliver radio
(which. In substance. Will he as fol-
hiows;
q TO Admiral Gleavcs' wish to
<cxprcss my deep regrct and condo
Hence sat the death of Iicutculnt
Rnsdon. u. S ~. which was caused
a Japanese sentry. In spirit of
ness and good will / will make
y effort TO arrive at "a Satisfac-
conc'usion OF the affair and
md open investigation
yal Oi ~ tho Japanese COM
at Vladivostok.