Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-09
WAR DEPARTMENT
IGNORES KINGS
TALK TO sol DIERS

Continued from First Page.l
many wished to establish a submarine
| base in Haiti, virtually took over the
| government there and supported a
new government by United States
| Marines. He is said to have stated
! that within two days after the arrival
/ of United States Marines in Haiti
1850 innocent IIaitians" had been
slaughtered. to say nothing of good
American lives which were given to
protect loan made by American
! bankers to Haiti.
| One report of the gist of Senator
Kings speech was to the effect that
he discussed generally the American
relations with China, Haiti and Santo
Domingo and opposed the use of Ma
rines for the protection of capital
lsts." He also deplored what he said
was the policy of the Government Ito
grab everything in sight for the sake
of the wealthy few" according to
version of his speech.
Reply Made by Officer.
First Lieut.. S. D. Talimadge, Quar-
termaster Corps, who heard Senator
King speak, is reported to have told
the soldiers afterward that while Sen
dIOI Aiiis, SGGllAGQ OliS NACR VI 49,
situation, there was also another view,
and that those who heard the Senator
should not form an opinion until they
had heard some one of equal impor-
lance give the other view.
1t was said today that Senator
Kings remarks aboard the transport
were no different from what the Sena-
tor had said in effect on numerous
occasions before, both In the United
States Senate and elsewhere, and that
he addressed group of soldiers who
had been in the Army for many years.
The possible deleterious effect upon
the soldiers who heard him was dis.
counted strongly, and it was added
that even had he been addressing
group of raw recruits, his words would
have done no harm.
Senator Admits Talk.
Although admitting that he made
a talk to soldiers on the transport
in which he discussed relations be-
tween the United States and Haiti.
Senator King denied today that he
had beard any criticism of his ad-
dress and said that he had no knowl-
edge of any reports having been
made to the War Department as
a result of the incident.
81 have not seen the report, IL one
has been made to the War Depart
ment. with reference to my re-
marks" Senator King said, 80 ]
cannot categorically answer yet.
can state, however, what was said
and if any report is made contrary
to the same it is inaccurate"
The Utah Senator then explained
that the chaplain on the transport,
who is an Army officer, stated that he
and the soldiers were DESTROYS that
the Senator should address them. He
said he asked the chaplain upon what
subject it was desired he should talk.
Senator King said the chaplain re-
piled that there had been considerable
discussion among the soldiers concern
ing Haiti and the reasons for the ex-
clusion of the Senator from that
country and that it was desired to
have him speak upon that matter.
Says He Spoke 20 Minutes.
Senator King recalled that he spoke
for about 20 minutes, devoting about
half of that time to opportunities
which the soldiers had of serving their
country and of visiting various parts
of the world.
He said he explained his attitude to-
ward the keeping Of American forces
Haiti had the right to self determine
ton and to decide for themselves what
kind of government they wanted and
what persons they wanted for their
public servants.
Senator King said that at the con-
clusion of his remarks an Army Off
Ger whom she did not know said a
few words to the effect that Senator
King had stated his position, but
that doubtless there was another side
open mind on that as we'll as all other
controversial questions"
U. S. Withdrawal to Be Urged.
Senator King announced that as
soon as Congress meets he would in
troduce his resolution providing for
the withdrawal of American forces
from Haiti.
According to Senator King the peri
cd Of service of the soldiers he was
addressing, was drawing to a close.
He said he told them they undoubted-
ly would be welcomed back into the
civil ranks, where there would be full
opportunity for additional service to
their country.
Senator King said he told the en-
listed men that in 1904 the Haitian
people had established a republic by
throwing off French control and that
they had maintained government for
more than a century which had dis
charged its international obligations.
He said in his talk on the transport
that the Haitians had adopted re-
publican and liberal constitution pro.
Viding for a national legislature some