Viewing page 69 of 75

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

ARMY GENERAL STAFF ASSAILED IN CONGRESS

Black Proposes That Mitchell Court Findings Be Ordered Canceled.

Post 12-20-25

TRAIL DECLARED "INSULT"

By JOHN EDWINS NEVIN
The propaganda of the army general staff, arrayed against the contention that the court record in the case of Col. William Mitchell is perfect from the War Department viewpoint, came in for assault in Congress yesterday. 
Emphasis was placed on the fact that the claims of the convicted officer that the court was ordered to "get him" seemingly was founded on fact. 
The Mitchell case has assumed all of the proportions of the Dreyfus case which convulsed France for years. The general staff, through its representatives and agents, insists that its record is complete. Congress already challenges this assertion.
The crisis leads directly to the White House. What action is to be taken is directly up to President Coolidge. He will get the record very soon. Then he will say whether it and the sentence are to stand, be modified or set aside. 
The "propaganda agency" of the War Department, which, regardless of the revelations of the trail, is a real necessity because only through it can the liaison between the army and the people of the country be maintained, has suggested that the verdict and sentence are just. That, of course, is an assumption. It reflects the viewpoint that William Mitchell is no longer entitled to air his views along any line of military procedure. to use the vernacular, he is "well gagged." 
It is true that Col. Mitchell does not need to take his cap in his hand—the very cap with which he flew over the lines of the enemy durin gthe war—and hold it out for contributions from a charitably inclined public. But there are many men in the army, who, were they in a similar position, would have to do it. 
Army officers notoriously are underpaid. They can go out at any time and earn much more money than they draw down for their sacrifices in their restricted lives. Few—probably none today on the active list—can meet their monthly obligations without a depletion of their bank accounts to the lowest possible figure. And with this particular precedent in mind future courts will be able to impose sentences that will reduce accused officers who soemingly felt that the right of free speech was guaranteed by the Constitution of the United Stated to downright beggary. Should this verdict stand, Col. Mitchell is of the army, without it, and made to work anywhere else. 
Mitchell does not face this. Through his counsel he has suggested that he is not troubled. He has indicated that be believes President Coolidge will be able to determine the issue at stake. Probably the President will. In any event he hardy will approve this latest development which emphasizes a red tape control of the defense of the United States without calling for the real reasons. Should he read the record he will secure an indictment for the suggestion he personally made when, at Swampscott last summer, he assailed the general staff for its manner of "manipulating" facts to make good its own assertions. 
Mr. Coolidge has had personal experience with the manner in which the general staff attempted to take advantage of the budget officer of the United States. The presidential spokesman, with a peculiar smile on his face, had occasion to refer to just what was behind suggestions that came from a high ranking officer who, at the Mitchell trial, contemptuously refused to reply to questions by Col. Mitchell's counsel, in his assertion that the army would go to the "demnition bowwows" unless it was able to have its own estimates and not those of the budget chief approved by Congress. 
Therefore, when the Mitchell verdict and sentence came to him, he may call for the record of the trial which covers statements by certain members of the court and by high ranking officers of the staff to determine what degree of faith may be placed in them. 
Representative Reid, of Illinois, left last night for his home to pass Christmas with his family and to rest up a bit. He knowns what he will do, but naturally withheld intimation of his plans until the President feels he can act. It is unlikely that Mr. Coolidge will pass upon the verdict and sentence for a fortnight, at least. That he will materially change the decision is a growing belief in Washington because of his past record for actual judicial interpretation and action, as opposed to personal belief. 
Regardless of the Mitchell case, it can be st ated as a fact that the general staff of the army will come in for investigations before a committee of Congress within the next month. It will have to defend itself, and also will have to say flatly whether it is a fact that, with aviation as an unknown quality, Brig. Gen. Hugh A. Drum and certain of his associates were right in telling the Mitchell court that the decision made, reflected the general defence act, is irrevocable. 
Representatives and Senators who have no axes to grind say they want this statement explained. If it is true then they fill a new General Stadd with elastic views is necessary. Should there be a disposition in the War Department to consider everything settled on time because of an agreement years ago, then they feel that there is little reason whatever to have an army or navy. Modern weapons change daily, but the General Stadd told the Mitchell court-martial board that, so far as aviation was concerned, it is a finished subject.
Several times during the debate in the House yesterday there were bitter criticisms of the decision of the Mitchell court. Representative Black of New York, flatly proposed that Congress assert its rights and order the verdict and sentence cancelled. He presented a formal resolution to restore Col. Mitchell to his rank and pay. Representative Tillman of Arkansas also denounced the whole case in strong language. He characterized the proceedings as "shameless and cruel." It is an "insult to free America," he insisted.

GLORY'S PRICE COMES HIGH
[[image]]
[[THE COURT FINDS THE ACCUSED GUILTY AND SUSPENDS HIM FROM THE ARMY FOR FIVE YEARS-]] 
MAJ. GEN. ROBERT L. HOWZE
President of the tribunal that tried Col. "Billy" Mitchell, of the army air service, for conduct prejudicial to the good of the service, as he read the sentence that suspended the ace from the army and ended one of the most military trials in Americal annals' which flashed and fumed for seven weeks. 

Here's What They Did to Col. Mitchell
Suspended him from army for five years. 
Stripped him of all rank for that period. 
Denied him every cent of pay or allowance for quarters. 
Subjected him, nevertheless, to the orders of the War Department, which can move him anywhere and muzzle him as it pleases. 
Virtually ended his flying career, as he will be more than 50 years old when five-year period expires. 

[[image]]
COL. Wev MITCHELL 

Query: Will the "Flying Colonel" complacently submit to this punishment or hand in his resignation?