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MITCHELL RENEWS TREASON CHARGE ON WITNESS STAND Wash. Star - 11/23/25 Declines to Accuse Individual, But Levels Attack at Army System. COLONEL IS DEFIANT UNDER HOT GRILLING Declares Statement Under Fire Contained "No Fact," But Only Personal Opinion. Subjected to a rapid cross-fire of questions from the Government, Col. William Mitchell, resuming the witness stand in his own defense this afternoon reiterated his charge that the War Department's administration of air forces is "almost treasonable." Determined efforts of the prosecution to get Col. Mitchell to place this charge against some individual were met by the emphatic declaration of the fiery witness that he was attacking no individual, "only the system of administration." "I believe that the War Department's system of administering air power is almost treasonable because it doesn't give aviation the place in the national defense plan that it is entitled to, and this is vital," Col. Mitchell shouted into the race of Maj. Allen Gullion, assistant judge advocate, who had taken over the prosecution. The accused admitted after a brisk interchange between counsel over the propriety of the line of questioning, that a "fair interpretation" of his charge was that he meant "the criminal offense of treason." Phraseology Important. The prosecution evidently place considerable weight on the approval of the witness on this phraseology, the indication being that the prosecution would use it against him later. The defendant continued this afternoon his open defiance of the general staff and its array of military lawyers and advisors, and regarded with evident contempt the vigorous efforts of the prosecution to tear down his credibility before the court. Maj. Gullion was frustrated at several points when he tried to show the court that Mitchell himself gave inaccurate testimony before a congressional committee, as Mitchell had charged other high-ranking officers with doing. The court held that the questions put to the witness in this connection were irrelevant. Taking the stand this morning, the fighting air colonel repeated his charges of negligence on the part of the Government in looking after its air forces and then defiantly stood off a broadside of pointed questions hurled at him by the prosecution in an effort to riddle and make ridiculous his famous San Antonio statements of last September. The appearance of the accused in the role of witness, a longed awaited event, fully met the expectations of the large crowd of spectators in search of excitement. The bristling assaults on the good faith of the witness and on the accuracy of his charges, led by Maj. Alien Guillon, assistant judge advocate, failed utterly to disturb the sangfroid of the defendant and his curt replies rang out with staccato-like regularity. More than once the prosecution drew from the witness the reply: "I don't know," in reply to questions concerning the technicalities of naval warfare. In the end the witness admitted that there were "no facts" in his September 5 statement but that the charges made therein constituted his personal opinion. The prosecution apparently laid great weight on this admission on Col. Mitchell's part, and emphasized repeatedly the latter's statement that there were "no facts, only my personal opinion," in the San Antonio statement, given out to the newspapers. Maj. Gullion stressed this so much that Representative Frank R. Reid, counsel for Col. Mitchell, protested that the cross-examination was being "colored," and the court admonished the prosecution to ask plain questions without embellishment of that sort. Repeats Charges. When Col. Mitchell first took the stand for direct questioning by his own counsel it appeared that the spectators who had filled the courtroom long before the hour of the convening were not going to share in the fireworks they had hoped would take place. All of Col. Mitchell's direct testimony was a direct repetition of assertions contained in the opening statement of Mr. Reid. The "edge" had long ago been taken off this line of evidence presented by the defense and for the first half hour the witness was content to sit and reaffirm himself, that everything his counsel has preliminarily stated to the court about recommendations he had made for the Air Service were "the truth and nothing but the truth." Replying in a matter of fact tone to the long succession of questions concerning his plans for the betterment of the air forces, Col. Mitchell curtly enumerated more than 100 official recommendations which he testified he had presented either to the chief of the Air Service or the Secretary of War, most of them without result. When Mr. Reid asked if he had recommended that new racing planes be built for the 1924 air races Col. Mitchell straightened up and said that he had, and that is his recommendations had been carried out it was "probable" that Capt. Burton E. Skeel and Lieut. Alexander Pearson would not have met their deaths in those races. Mitchell Told of Rights. Col. Mitchell took the stand immediately after court convened. Col. Blanton Winship, the law member, the read from the manual addressing the accused that he could remain silent; he could testify under oath and subject to cross-examination, or he could make a statement either oral or in writing not under oath. "Do you understand these three rights?" asked Col. Winship. "I do," replied the accused. Col. Winship then informed the witness he could take time to discuss what procedure he would adopt with his counsel, and Mr. Reid arose and said: "In view of the fact that witnesses have proven all of Col. Mitchell's statements 100 per cent. I desire to submit him to a full barrage of cross-examination by anybody in this case." Col. Sherman Moreland, the trial judge advocate, then asked the witness, "Do you desire to be sworn?" "I do," replied Col. Mitchell, and he was duly sworn. Reid Begins Quiz. Mr. Reid then began direct examination with the purpose of qualifying the witness and by his brilliant service record to prove the accused was familiar with the subject he has so aggressively advocated and supported. The questions by Mr. Reid drew the following service record from Col. Mitchell: He enlisted in the Wisconsin Infantry as a private in 1898, and following the Cuban campaign saw service in the Philippines. Then as a second lieutenant he went around the world inspecting various military systems, and returned to the United States shortly after, to be sent to Alaska, where he worked for three years in erecting telephone lines under the Signal Corps. He organized the first field signal service in the United States, developed the first motor transport unit and the first held radio set. He was graduated from the school of the line at Fort Leavenworth, Kans. in June 1908, and rated as a "distinguished graduate" meaning he had an average of more than 95 per cent in his studies. He also was graduated from the Army Staff College, then saw service in the Philippines, where he commanded the only organized signal company. He was an American military observer in the Russo-Japanese War, and in 1911 was appointed to the Army general staff here. He said he was not a graduate of West Point. Learned to Fly While Here. During his tour of duty here he took instructions in flying at a civilian school in Norfolk, making a weekend journey by boat to the Virginia city, flying all day Sunday and returning to Washington in time for his duties Monday morning. He went to Europe in March, 1917, as an observer, first stopping off in Spain to determine that country's resources in the event it joined Germany in the war. Arriving in France six days after the declaration of war, he entered organization work in the Signal Corps and Aviation Corps and went to the front with the 4th French Army. He participated in an infantry attack with the French and received decorations for this. His honors include the distinguished service cross, the distinguished service medal and decorations from France, Italy and England. He read into the record commendatory letters from Gen. Pershing and also his American citations. He declared he flew in all of the major operations of the war whenever there was an opportunity, and he always made these trips over the lines alone and in fast, single-seated planes. Before returning to this country after the close of the war, Col. Mitchell said he consulted his companions in the allied air forces "with the view of determining what the future use of airpower would be." "The result of these conferences was an absolute unanimity of opinion on the part of all flying officers that future conflicts would be features by two things: Submarine campaigns against the enemy and air attacks on the nerve centers of hostile states. The armies would not be called into operation because they would be entirely incapable of arriving at a decision except at a slow, laborious and dangerous pace. Just before the close of the war aeronautics had developed to the stage where nerve centers were being attacked far inland in Germany and plans were afoot to carry on a vigorous campaign still further inland." After relating that he commanded the largest air force in the war and the world, for that matter, in the St. Mihiel offensive, Col. Mitchell said he returned to the United States as director of military aeronautics with the uncertainty of continued peace in the East or East. "It behooves us to arrange our aeronautical program because of this," he said, "and we lost no time in telling those in authority how aviation should be organized to meet our specific needs." Describes Program. He then launched into a discussion of the many recommendations he had made, both to the chief of Ari Service and to the Secretary of War, few of which, however, were carried out. Among these recommendations was on for development of civil aeronautics as an indirect means of securing the national defense. Commercial aviation, he said, not only would guarantee pilots for war service who were 90 per cent efficient and mechanics 100 per cent, but would keep an an aircraft industry. "If the industry is not kept up we are put in the hands of foreigners for our air power," said the witness. "Does that condition exist now?" asked Mr. Reid. "It is absolutely our condition at the present time," responded the witness. Asked New Type of Plane. Among other recommendations recited Col. Mitchell, most of which he said had not been carried out, were: That as a general proposition the DH model of airplane be discarded and an entirely new model developed. That 300 of the DH-4 type planes be modified to change the position of the gasoline tank forward in order to increase the safety factor in case of a crash. That provision be made to give mechanics in aviation a status different from that of the ordinary soldier in order to obviate the necessity of subjecting the lives of flying personnel to unnecessary risk. That air transports be made available for the carrying of air units That combined maneuvers be staged to test coast defense. That methods of protection against air raids in inhabited localities, including alarm signals, refuges, rations and medical assistance, be worked out. That provisions be made for meteorological service in the Air Service. Urges Weather Data. That telephone and telegraph lines be used to get weather information for fliers. (The witness explained that funds for this purpose have been cut off by the Government.) That the Chemical Warfare Service and the Air Service co-operate closely. That amplibian planes be provided for first aid work, equipped with life preservers, fresh water, food and medical supplies sufficient to meet nay emergency. That all-metal bombardment ships be ordered immediately. That the following projects be studied with a view to their execution as soon as practicable: A flight through Central America to Panama; a flight through Mexico to South America; a flight through Alaska to Asia and around the world; a flight through South America and the Antarctic to Africa. That a route be developed through Alaska for aircraft operations. Asked All-Metal Planes. That all airplanes be made of all-metal construction. That speed boats be furnished the first pursuit group at Selfridge Field so that fallen planes and pilots could be rescued from the lake there. That skiis be used on the landing gear of ships, so that the wheels could be discarded and the skiis substituted in case of necessity. That bombardment ships with three or more engines be developed at once, so that the United States will not fall behind other nations in this respect. That a system be inaugurated of helping schools, such as the Culver Military Academy, to give a status of flying cadets to those undergoing flying instruction. That more study be made of the most recent development in lighter-than-air craft--their use as airplane carriers. Propeller Change Sought. That a special study be made of propellers with a variable pitch, so that aircraft can meet varied conditions of the atmosphere at certain altitudes. That the Government purchase latest European planes so as to obtain ideas in construction. That inadequate data and poor communications be corrected so as to save the lives of the personnel. That every airplane be equipped with a self-starter, to avoid the danger of killing men performing the present manual operations. That quicker means of servicing airplanes with gasoline be devised and installed. That aerial torpedoes be developed. That new speed planes should be built for the 1924 races. (The witness expressed the opinion that if this recommendation had been carried out Capt. Skeel and Lieut. Pearson would not have been killed in those races.) That arrangements be made with Canada for airways through that territory to Alaska. Sought Skiis for Planes That skiis be devised for Winter work for all types of airplanes. That all flight officers should be made to fly over the airways. That Winter flights should be made by all personnel in the coldest weather. That a definite system of air defense be adopted for the Pacific. That apparatus for use in flying through fogs be developed. The questioning turned to the Curtiss Eagle plane crash in 1921 between Langley and Bolling Fields with the loss of six lives and which the prosecution several days ago endeavored to hold Col. Mitchell responsible for on the ground he was he highest ranking officer at the Virginia field when the Eagle started on its fatal flight. "Were you in command of Langley Field in May, 1921?" asked Mr. Reid. "No, Maj. Hensley was," replied the witness. Saw Plane Taking Off. "Did you have any connection with this plane taking off." "I would like to read the report of the Eagle crash," said the colonel, rising from his chair and going to a mass of documents of the defense table. "Where were you when the Eagle took off," interrupted Mr. Reid. "I was taking tea in the Officers' Club and saw the Eagle in the air on its way to Bolling Field. Now the opinion of the board inquiry is," and her Col. Mitchell read: "The crash was due to unusual violence of winds accompanying a storm which the plane encountered. Neither blame nor censure is attatched to any individual." The report was signed by four members, Lieut. Col. James E. Fechet being chairman. Col. Fetchet now is assistant chief of the Air Service, having succeeded Col. Mitchell. The witness then told how he took off in a single-seated plane about two hours later and encountered a severe storm near the mouth of the Wicomico River. He saw he couldn't get through and worked up into Virginia. His plane was accompanied by a DH flown by Capt. W. C. Ocker and these two were the only ones to get through that day. Describes Bomb Tests. The witness then told of the bombing tests on the Virginia Capes and which were arranged so as to make the pilots encounter "unnecessary risks" in flying more than 100 miles over water. On another occasion when the airmen were ordered to bomb from 10,000 feet the witness said it was his opinion that "it was a direct attempt to interfere with the efficiency and nullify the proceedings." Mr. Reid asked the witness if he ever had ordered anybody to do anything he wouldn't do himself and the colonel replied: "Not to my knowledge." A brie story of how he and three other Army pilots--Capt. W.C. Ocker, Lieut. Col. H.E. Hartney and Lieut. Pat Logan ha worked out an airway between Washington and the Middle West was given by the witness. Their labors showed that airplanes could go anywhere in the Alleghenies and "get away with it." The successful operation of the airway also showed that an air force could be shifted from one side of the continent to the other in a short time and Col. Mitchell declared was the forerunner of the air mail lines, the Alaskan lines and the world flight. Turned Over to Gullion Mr. Reid then asked the witness to name the major American and French engagements he had participated in and when these were enumerated he was turned over to Maj. Gullion for cross-examination. "Colonel, have you any idea of the estimated wealth of the United States," asked Maj. Gullion. "No," replied the witness. "The World Almanac of 1922, estimates the wealth at $302,803,862,000. Keep that in mind. The relevancy will come later." Mr. Reid objected but the prosecution was allowed to continue its questioning.
