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| Brig. Gen. Jacob Smith. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, July 17, 1902.
SENTENCE CONFIRMED.
General Smith Reprimanded and Retired by President Roosevelt
FOR HIS KILL AND BURN ORDER.
Review of Findings of Court Martial by Secretary Root—Explains Leniency of Sentence by Fact that Order Was Not Carried Out by Subordinates.
Washington, July 17.—The following is the review by Secretary Root of the findings of the General Smith court martial:
"War Department, Washington, July 12.
"To the President:—
"I transmit herewith the record and proceedings upon the trial of Brigadier General Jacob H. Smith by court martial convened under your order dated April 21, 1902, and now brought before you as reviewing authority.
"General Smith was found guilty of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he gave in the fall of 1901 to Major L. W. T. Waller of the marine corps, then serving with a battalion of marines under his order as commander of the Sixth Separate Brigade in Samar, the following oral instructions:
"'I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better you will please me,' and further that he wanted all persons killed who were capable of bearing arms and in actual hostilities against the United States; and did in reply to a question by Major Waller asking for an age limit designate the age limit as ten years of age.
Court's Sentence Lenient.
"The court sentenced him to be admonished, by the reviewing authority and the court appended to the sentence [with] the following explanation:
"The court is thus lenient in view of the undisputed evidence that the accused did not mean everything that his unexplained language implied; that his subordinates did not gather such a meaning; and that the orders were never executed in such sense notwithstanding that a desperate struggle was being conducted with a cruel and savage foe.
"An examination of the evidence has satisfied me that the conviction was just and that the reasons stated for the very light sentence imposed are sustained by the facts. General Smith in his conversation with Major Waller was guilty of intemperate, inconsiderate and violent expressions which, if accepted literally, would grossly violate the humane rules governing American armies in the field, and if followed would have brought lasting disgrace upon the military service in the United States. Fortunately they were not taken literally and were not followed. No women or children or helpless persons or non-combatants or prisoners were put to death in pursuance of them.
"An examination of the record and proceedings upon the trial of Major Waller, which immediately preceded that of General Smith, shows that the instructions in question bore no relation to the acts for which Major Waller was tried, and were not alleged by him as justification for those acts. Major Waller was tried for causing certain natives, who had acted as bearers or guides of one of his expeditions, to be put to death for treachery without proper trial; and he defended his action not upon the ground of any orders received from General Smith, but upon the ground that as commanding officer he was justified by the laws of war.
Cruel and Treacherous Savages.
"General Smith's written and printed orders, and the actual conduct of military operations in Samar, were justified by the history and conditions of the warfare with the cruel and treacherous savages who inhabited the island, and their entire disregard of the laws of war; were wholly within the limitations of general order No. 100 of 1863; and were sustained by precedents of the highest authority. Thus, in 1779, Washington ordered General Sullivan in the campaign against the Six Nations to seek the total destruction and devastation of their settlements. He wrote 'but you will not by any means listen to overtures of peace before the total ruin of their settlements is affected. Our future security will be in their inability to injure us, the distance of which they are driven, and in the terror with which the severity of the chastisement they receive will inspire them.' The Fort Phil Kearney massacre in 1866, for base treachery, revolting cruelty and the conditions of serious danger which followed it, did not approach the massacre of Balangiga in Samar in September 1901. There the natives had been treated with kindness and confidence; liberty and self government had been given to them. Captain Connel, the American commander, was of the same faith and had been worshipping in the same church with them. With all the assurance of friendship our men were seated at their meal unarmed among an apparently peaceful and friendly community, when they were set upon from behind and butchered and their bodies when found by their comrades the next day had been mutilated and treated with indescribable indignities. Yet there was not such severity by American soldiers in Samar as General Sherman proposed towards the Sioux after Fort Phil Kearney.
"It is due, however, to the good sense and self restraint of General Smith's subordinates and their regard for the laws of war, rather than to his own self control and judgment, that his intemperate and unjustifiable verbal instructions were not followed and that he is relieved from the indelible strain which would have resulted from a literal compliance with them. It is the duty of a general officer whose age and experience have brought him to high command not to incite his subordinates to acts of lawless violence, but to so explain to them the application of the laws of war and the limitations upon their conduct as to prevent transgressions upon their part and supplement their comparative experience by this wise control. In this General Smith has signally failed, and for this he has been justly convicted. Although the sentence imposed is exceedingly light, it carries with it a condemnation which, for an officer of his rank and age, is really a severe punishment. For this reason and for the further reason that General Smith has served his country long and faithfully, has exhibited high courage and good conduct in many battles, has been seriously wounded in the civil war and in the war with Spain, and is about concluding a long and honorable career as a faithful and loyal servant of his country, I recommend that the mild sentence imposed be confirmed.
"Should you approve the findings and sentence of the court in accordance with this recommendation, I feel bound to say further that, in view of the findings and sentence, and of the evident infirmities which have made it possible that the facts found should exist, it is no longer for the interest of the service that General Smith should continue to exercise the command of his rank. His usefulness as an example, guide and controlling influence for the junior officers of the army is at an end, and as he is already upwards of sixty-two years of age, I recommend that you exercise the discretion vested in you by law and now retire him from active service.
"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War."
The president has so admonished General Smith and retired him under the law, which provides that officers having reached the age of 62 years may be retired at will by the president.
THE ITHACA BAND
Gave Two Splendid Concerts at the Park to Large Crowds.
The celebrated Ithaca band was at the Cortland park yesterday for two grand concerts, and was greeted by enthusiastic audiences. The crowds were not quite as large as last year, but were no less appreciative, and they were about as numerous as the Traction company could handle with ease. The car service was excellent and the people had little difficulty in going and coming when they so desired.
This band is one of the finest that ever comes to Cortland. The programs were of a high order, including both classical as well as popular music and it is rendered with a technical skill as well as with a spirit that is inspiring. The program last night included such numbers as the overtures from Zampa and from William Tell, selections from Il Trovatore, Gems from Maid Marian and Reminiscences of Scotland embracing a great number of the well known Scottish airs. Nearly everything was encored and it was a late hour before the program was concluded.
It is quite probable that this band will be heard in Cortland again before the close of the season, as negotiations to that end are under consideration.
DEAL IN REAL ESTATE
Dr. Carpenter to Build at Corner of Clinton and Charles.
Dr. P. T. Carpenter has bought of Messrs. C. W. Collins and J. L. Watrous the lot at the east corner of Clinton-ave. and Charles-st. and expects very soon to build upon this a handsome dwelling house and a three-room office.
Mr. J. G. Jarvis also expects to build a house on the vacant lot on Clinton-ave. between Dr. Carpenter's and the residence of Mr. Watrous. The photograph gallery and the old stable are to be removed. The appearance of this street will be greatly improved by the change.
The Colored Excursion.
There were 275 people this morning on the colored excursion from Elmina to Sylvan Beach. Thirty joined the train al Cortland. There was a colored band on board the train.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Cuba Needs the United States.
There is no doubt of the fact that Cuba needs the United States. This has already manifested itself in a number of instances in connection with the workings of the new Cuban government. The Cubans lack energy and thoroughness, and unless a strong power is behind them to keep them moving they will soon be back again in the old ways.
In no particular has this laxness manifested itself more than in the sanitary condition of Havana. That is fast becoming what it was before the Americans took control there. Evidences of this fact are to be seen throughout the city. The splendid system inaugurated when General William Ludlow began the work of cleaning Havana is being superseded by one as lax as his was stringent. The prominent thoroughfares and conspicuous parks are of course receiving good attention. The grass is kept mowed and the promenades swept, but these were never sources of danger to the public health.
The back streets, markets backyards and sewers, where the real danger lies, are being neglected. Plumbing work is no longer being done as it was before the 20th of May of the present year. Then the engineer and sanitary departments were kept busy and the owners of unsanitary places were forced to comply with requirements which freed the city from pestilence and made it one of the most healthful places on the globe. The first month's regime has seen the death rate of Havana increase enormously and the conditions which existed prior to 1899 gradually but surely returning. So evident is the change for the bad that the present chief sanitary officer has given the alarm and cited in the public press the increase in the mortality. The government pleads poverty and thus the impossibility of maintaining the sanitary condition at the standard where the Americans left it. As a matter of fact, however, all that is necessary or that will be necessary for some time to come, besides the usual street cleaning, is an honest and competent crew of sanitary inspectors who will see that the people do as ordered.
The Platt amendment provides specifically that the same standard of sanitation inaugurated by the government of intervention must be maintained by the Cuban authorities and it is probable that a vigorous protest will be sent to Washington by those who have the welfare of the country at heart and who appreciate what havoc another yellow fever epidemic would play with commercial interests of the island which are already at low ebb.
WEDDING BELLS.
George Oscar Bowen and Nina Jane McCarthy Married
AT THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH.
About Four Hundred Guests Present— Church Beautifully Decorated—Reception Followed at the Home of the Bride—The Presents—Their Wedding Journey.
The First Methodist Episcopal church was at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon the scene of one of the prettiest and most impressive weddings that has taken place in Cortland of late. Mr. George Oscar Bowen and Miss Nina Jane McCarthy, both of Cortland, were the central figures in the ceremony. About 400 invited guests were present to do honor to the occasion.
Decorations of the Church.
The decorations were among the finest that have ever been seen in the church. They were in green and white brightened up with touches of pink. They were arranged under the supervision of Mrs. Julia J. Twiss and Miss Helen Walker.
As the guests entered the auditorium pathways of ferns down the center aisles were first noticed. Pockets at the ends of the pews held jars filled with the ferns, and the effect was extremely pleasing. The chancel was elaborately trimmed. In the center was a large bank of daisies, and directly over these was a large and beautiful bunch of white lilies. Over these and hanging from the arch of the chancel were ropes of daisies. On either side of the center piece was a jardinière of beautiful hydrangeas, and outside of these were tall and stately palms. The front of the pulpit platform was bordered with snow-on-the-mountain and pink roses, while the railing was trimmed with smilax. The altar rails were covered with asparagus and arranged in front to form an open gateway, before which the bridal pair marched for the ceremony.
The Music.
At the organ Mrs. F. W. Melvin presided, and while the guests were assembling she gave in a delightful manner three numbers, "Entree Du Cortege," by Dubois, "Norwegian Wedding March," by Soederman, and "Bridal Song" by Jensen. At the close of these the Lohengrin Wedding March was begun, and immediately the bridal party entered the auditorium.
The Bridal Party.
The bride entered from the north main entrance and was preceded by the ushers, Messrs. W. H. Hoerrner and F. S. Cox of Binghamton and Harry A. Jennison and Elmer T. McCarthy of Cortland; by the bridesmaids, Misses Ellen S. McCarthy and Lena Rivers Bowen of Binghamton, sisters of the bride and groom respectively, and by Irene E. McCarthy, the flower girl, and Oscar Bowen Taft, the ring bearer. Rev. Dr. O. A. Houghton of Clifton Springs, formerly the pastor of this church, and Rev. Dr. David Keppel of Cortland, who assisted in the ceremony, came in from the north pulpit entrance and took their places inside the altar rail. The groom and his best man, Mr. Nelson Sherman of New York, entered from the south pulpit entrance and met the bridal party at the altar. The bride and groom stood before the open gateway of asparagus at the altar. The ceremony was performed with the ring and was very impressive,
The Costumes.
The bride, who is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. McCarthy, 21 Reynolds-ave., was very becomingly attired in ivory white lansdown trimmed with real lace and pearls. She wore a heavy bridal veil which was fastened with bridal roses, and carried a shower bouquet of bride roses. The bridesmaids, Misses McCarthy and Bowen, wore gowns of dotted mull and organdie, respectively, and picture hats with pink roses. The flower girl and ring bearer were dressed in pure white. At the close of the ceremonies the bridal party marched out to the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March and sweet violets from the flower girl's basket were strewn in the path of the bride and groom.
The Reception.
After the ceremony at the church a reception was given at the house to a large number of relatives of the contracting parties and to a few of the intimate friends. The rooms were very tastefully decorated in pink and white under the direction of Mrs. Edward Alley. The guests were received by the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy, Miss McCarthy, Miss Bowen, Mr. Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Bowen of Binghamton, the groom's parents, and Mrs. M. D. Crandall of Elmira, grandmother of the bride.
Misses Angeline Cummings of Preble, Anna Saunders, Ruth and Jessie Hill, Florence Lund, Grace Pearson and Pearl Hall of Cortland, Mina Crandall, Alice McKinney and Elsie Thurston of Elmira and Bessie LaMotte of McLean assisted and Mrs. N. G. Markley had entire charge of the refreshments. The bridal table was trimmed in pink and white.
The Wedding Presents.
Many valuable gifts were received, including silverware, cut glass, furniture, table linen, etc. An aunt of the bride, Mrs. Uttrich of Kingston, Ontario, who could not be present, sent the bride an English sovereign. A family heirloom in the form of a silver teaspoon, a wedding present of the bride's great grandmother Nancy Brees, and marked "N. B.," was given the bride. This is particularly appropriate to fall to Mrs. Bowen, as these are her initials. The First M. E. Sunday school board gave an elegant rocking chair, and the chorus choir, of which the groom is the popular director and the bride a member, gave a solid silver set of table and carving knives and forks. The groom's parents gave an elegant set of table linen. A fine diningroom table was the special present of the bride's father. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Alley presented a fine etching. The bride's Sunday school class gave a splendid cut glass piece. The bride's presents to her attendants were silver hatpins. The groom's present to the best man was an elegant scarf pin and he presented each of the ushers with gloves and ties.
Some of the Guests.
Aside from the out of town guests previously mentioned there were present at the function, Messrs. Harry Crandall, Norman Thurston and Elmer McKinney of Elmira, Mr. and Mrs. James Crandall and Miss Emma Crandall of Breesport, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hollenbeck and Mr. and Mrs. George Turner of Cayuta, Mrs. Charles Paige, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Miller, Mrs. Edward Tripp and Mrs. Martha Barlow of Elmira, Mrs. Lottie Rockwell of Horseheads, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Bowen of Binghamton, Mr. George Taft, sons Harry and John and daughter Hazel of Homer.
The bride and groom are both well known and popular young people of Cortland, and it is gratifying to their many friends to know that they will make Cortland their home. Mr. Bowen has a large class of vocal students here, is director of music in the Homer and Marathon schools, and is director of the large chorus choir of the First M. E. church. He will open a new studio in Cortland about Sept. 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowen started last night for Binghamton at 7:09 and go from there today to Westfield, Mass., where they will spend the summer at the home of Mr. Bowen's uncle, Dr. C. W. Bowen, and where Mr. Bowen will both teach and be instructed in a summer school. They will return from Westfield and visit in the southern part of this state for about two weeks before coming to Cortland about Sept. 1.
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| Crimson Rambler Roses. |
More Crimson Ramblers.
The crimson rambler rose has become one of the most popular of flowers in Cortland. Many people are now raising them and there is a prospect that there will be still more in the place. Surely nothing could be richer in its beauty than a great bush of these dark crimson cluster roses upon a green background.
One of the handsomest bushes in the city is that upon the place of Mr. S. M. Benjamin on West Court-st. The bush is 5 years old. It stands in the back yard near the stable and is almost half as high as the building itself and proportionately broad. It is no exaggeration to say that this year it has borne thousands of roses. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin and Mrs. and Mrs. Waters are very generous with their roses and the homes of many of their friends have been beautified by huge bunches of these beautiful flowers, and one can scarcely see in looking at the bush where they have been cut from.
Another of the Rambler bushes which attracts much attention is that at the corner of the porch of Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Meager, 59 Groton-ave. The bush extends from the ground to the roof of the porch and its position is such that it can not escape the notice of passersby. Forty-seven blossoms were counted in one cluster.
W. C. T. U. PRIZE SPEAKING.
Miss Anna Hull Wins the Demorest Medal for 1902.
On the evening of July 15, a Demorest medal contest was held at the pleasant East Side Mission chapel, conducted by Miss Elva Caswell, county superintendent of contest work, one of the educational departments of the W. C. T. U. There were to have been live contestants, but on account of illness, Florence Dilthey was unable to take part. The four competing for the medal were Olive Cogswell, Florence Grant, Ina Latimer, and Annie Hull.
The pieces were all remarkably well rendered, and this was their first effort along this line. Great credit was due to Mrs. Edith Latimer who had the drilling of this class as it required patience and a large expenditure of time and labor.
The judges, Rev. James Rain, Mr. Eugene Davis and Mrs. Grace E. Hubbard found it quite difficult to decide in favor of any one of them, as there was such a slight difference in the marking, but that little difference won the medal for Miss Annie Hull, Rev. Mr. Rain making the presentation speech in a few profitable words.
The piano music by Miss Bergene Watson and the mandolin music by Miss Beth Short, together with a solo by Mr. D. W. Brown gave added pleasure to the occasion.
W. C. T. U. Press Reporter.
THE WEATHER FORECASTS
Get Pretty Near to the Truth—Are for Next Day.
The forecasts sent out by the United States weather bureau and displayed by flags upon the Standard building and sounded upon the Cortland Forging company's whistle each morning at 11:30 o'clock do not often fail in accuracy. A gentleman crossed Main-st. yesterday and looked up at the "showers" flag displayed, looked at the blue sky and said to a friend, "That flag is all off. There isn't a shower within 2,000 miles of Cortland and we won't have any more rain for some time." It didn't at that time look like a shower, nor feel like one, but the shower got along on time this morning.
People should remember that the forecast is for the period ending at midnight on the day following the one when the flag is displayed. It is not for the current day. There is no use in putting up a flag to indicate what the present weather is. Every one knows that for himself. The weather bureau brings together hundreds of observations from all over the country before issuing the forecasts and then having taken all the circumstances and conditions into consideration issues to each place a bulletin for that particular place for next day, and if the critics would remember the forecast of the previous day while taking note of the present state of the weather they would see how fully they might rely on the forecasts for the prospect for tomorrow.
THE NEW YORK TIMES.
It Lives up to its Motto "All the News that’s Fit to Print."
We invite the attention of every one who appreciates a thoroughly up-to-date newspaper to the advertisement of the New York Times in another column. The various merits of The Times, and they are many, are there set forth at length. It is clean, strong, enterprising, independent and comprehensive. Its present management took it when its fortunes were at a low ebb, and has made it one of the greatest of modern newspapers successes, not only from a financial but from a literary and journalistic standpoint as well. Its Saturday review of books and art is unexcelled, and its various other features are as good as trained talent and liberal expenditure of money can make them. It is a paper, as a whole, which is a safe and valuable visitor in every family which it enters.
Condition of John Dwight.
At last reports the condition of John Dwight of Taylor, N. Y., who attempted suicide with a knife, was unchanged. The unfortunate man is now anxious to recover, but the physicians do not hold out much hope of the possibility.
Died from Diphtheria.
Ida May Thompson died at the home of her father, Mr. John Thompson of Polkville, at 6:30 o'clock last evening from diphtheria, aged 16 years. Burial will be made at Blodgett Mills at 2:30 o'clock today.
BREVITIES.
—New display advertisements today are—Cortland Fish & Oyster Co., Fresh Fish, page 5.
—Mrs. F. Daehler entertained a number of lady friends at a thimble bee this afternoon at her horse on Tompkins-st.
—The executive committee of the First Baptist Sunday school will meet at the home of Mrs. E. H. Wilson, 81 Lincoln-ave., Friday evening at 8 o'clock.
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