THE AMERICAN FLEET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2371, 11 December 1908, Page 5

THE AMERICAN FLEET.

OFFICERS COURT-MARTIALLED.

Both officers and men of the American fleet were loud in the praises of Australia and of the warmth of its hospitality; that hospitality, however, proved too much for _ some of them. Four of the officers of the fleet, as the result of their conduct while in Australia, have been tried by court-martial. Severe sentences, amounting in some cases to dismissal from the service, have been imposed upon most of them. Only one of the officers got into trouble in Melbourne. This was Midshipman Richard Bernard, of the Louisiana. He was charged with having- been under the influence of liquor whilst on parade in Melbourne. It- was on that hot, dusty Monday when the Americans marched from Port Melbourne to the Exhibition Buildings, and then sat down to a liberal luncheon. Bernard was dared unfit for duty after the luncheon, and was placed under arrest. He was tried at Albany by a courtmartial presided over by Captain Hugo Osterhaus, of the flagship Connecticut. The sentence of the courtmartial was that he should be dismissed from the service. Midshipman Bernard was regarded on the Louisiana as one of the most promising of the young officers in the. ship. Albany was responsible for the downfall of the other three officers. These were lieutenant Frank Taylor Evans, oi the Louisiana; Lieutenant Charles Burt, of the Georgia; and Midshipman Edward H. Connor, of the Minnesota. The first- two named were tried at Manila by a court-mar-tial which assembled on the AYiscousin, with Rear-Admiral Seaten Sehroeder as its president. Lieutenant Evans Avas charged with having been absent from his station while acting as officer of the deck., with having used profane and disrespectful language to a superior officer, and with, Paving been intoxicated. He denied the charges and made out a strong defence. He Avas found guilty on one of tho counts, and sentenced to be put back over 100 numbers in the promotion list, which means he will lose four years’ seniority. It is stood, liOAvever, (adds the Melbourne “Argus”) that Lieutenant Ev-ans has appealed to the President (Mr. ltooseu volt) against this decision. The result of Lieutenant Burt’s trial is not yet knoAvn, but Midshipman Connor ay as found guilty, and sentenced to dismissal from the service. He Avas charged Avith having been under the influence of liquor while the fleet Avas at Albany. W estern Australia. Midshipmen Bernard and Connor were transferred to the refrigerator-ship Glacier at Manila. They Avere to bo taken back' tq Francisco chat vessei.