The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-30
Army Courts Martial and ourts Of Hopo,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE StN-Sir In a vary
sensible editorial In your issue of Oct ~ Won
referred to the unnecessary severity Of army
tribunals and the disposition of Officers In
the navy to protect and shield one another
Not only is this true upon the part OF The
former, but there Is a remarkable Indifference
10 the fate Of the victim Of hastily prepared
or unjust charges. which are sustained and
pressed in all their llteralness,
II is Il well known fact in natural history
that when certain lower animals are wounded
their fellows Immediately set about to devolr
them. Whether this is a process Of pat,r.
to favor the survival OF the fttest, or an evi-
dence OF inherent cruelty. il a matter OF specr.
lntion. 1t seems to have an analogy where
II would be least expected-in profession
where fair play is always looked for, and usr
ally found. The findings of recent courts
martial bear more than mere suggestion
to this zoopophagus process. and the history
OF the operations OF these, especially when
social offences are concerned. is familiar To
most old army officers. who have a fund Of
"reminiscences which illustrate the arbitrary.
tactless and usually cruel exercise Of power
especially when the trouble is fonented by
woman in the garrison
During the past few months manv brave
officers have been arraigned for compare
lively petty offences. and others for gross
financial irregularities. and even forgery. IN
one case. alleged neglect OF duty" led to
the infection Of sentence on a Lieutenant
Colonel. who was reduced to the foot OF his
lineal rank and condemned to be kept there
during the remainder of his active service "
Is needless to say that such a merciless and
unconstitutional sentence WAS dsapproved
by wise commanding officer.
-, Another case which suggests Itself and
illustrates the injustice Of summar procedure
is that of "A young Lieutenant Of infantry who
was sentenced TO dismissal for an alleged
insult TO woman. and whose sentence
dent, although a minor and very severe pun
lshment was substituted. Through the pub
licity given charge of doubtful importance
and its appearance in the sensational press
which arraigned and convicted the victim
even before the President had a chance to act
the young. officer has been cruelty misrepre
sented and will have to live down the vague
charges that have not been made public but
II they were might impress a large number of
people as comparatively trivial.
All this injury is due to the non-existence
OF some local tribunal where the quarrels Of
garrison and regimental life might be ad
Justed. II possible. before the yellow journals
could get chance to ruin the person on trial
In the German army exists what is known as a
Court of Honor. which is provided especially
for this purpose SO that disputes are settled
insults explained. and dirty linen Ia washed
in private; and the offending officer is afford
ton. or resign under compulsion. As it is
now. man without pride may take the
chance of ventilating his own wrongs crafty
ing his revenge and running brother officer
when there has been no Intentional insult.
but perhaps an innocent Jest made after din
JUSTICE.
NEW YORK. Oct. 20.