The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-18
LAWYER AND WITNESS In ONE
IN ADDITION, CAPT. CHASE rs
THE PERSON BEING TRIED.

Army Omcer Puts NuestlO ms to Himself
Before COurtsmartlal and Then An
swers Them. Not U~nnaturally Develop
Ing .yuSt what He wants TO Bring Out.
Capt. A rthur Chase. T.. S. A.. devoted
a good part OF yesterday afternoon 70
talking 90 himself before the couTt-martial
which is trying him in the Army Building.
Capt. Chase il his own lawyer and hitherto
has contend his activities to examining
and cross-eXamining others. He created
a diversion yesterday when no asked 10
ba sworn and then SAT down 10 examine
himself.
The Captain had a paper on which he had
written questions and answers in Iull.
so the examination went along like this:
.. We're you. Uh November ,, exposed
10 the rain for a long period
\. Yes. 1 was.
u. During the early part of November
did YOU suffer from an ailment which might
be aggravated by bad weother?
4. Yes. 1 suffered from what l called
lumbago, but what the doctor said was mus
cular rheumatism OF the neck.
Capt. Chase asked himself ono question
which called from Capt. Chase the answer
The accused will answer in full" which
no ulu LOT SOME WDhDtulr' lVdNhh- 49,
his notes.
This kept up for a few queries and re-
sponses. until Judge Advocate johnston
objected. because he did not believe the
witness was entitled to have before nm
memoranda Of which we're rot
in any case notes taken at the time OF the
occurrences. This contention VAS nj hrst
opposed by Capt. Chase. but later the
counsel-culpri agreed TO look only AZ his
questions and TO say the answers out OF
his head.
In this way Capt. Chase went into hi-
own acts and motives at some length. II
gave him n chance to put on the record
without interruption many points that
were not emphasized before in the eXamt-
nation of other Witnesses. The expression
Of Capt. Glasses fears for his place ~ Fort
Howard was brought ont in one question
and answer alone bv This method.
When you were confined 70 the post ON
November u what was the impression pro
dnced by the letters you had rnceived'"
NV visit to the office to explain on No
vemhcr 4 to the adiutant and on November
= to explain that no blanks were 10 he had,
Inc maune Of the commanding officer,
these sharp letters. new 10 my experience,
The letter especially which followed my
ATTEMPTED explanation and the sentence
and he also directs you TO remain on post
until furthe orders q form of arrest. IKE
in the case Of Lieut.. I.anghOrst. all caused
me to believe that charges were 10 Ne pre-
ferred." =,
Cant. Chase's examination of himself
brought ont a version OF the scene when
he was ordered ont Of the Office OF the rom
manding officer. Lieut.. Col. Clarence Deems
When Capt. Chase went to the once thai
day he ATTEMPTED to eXplain why ne had
failed 70 yet in his reports Of small arms
practice. as ordered. ii seemed 10 .be
paving almost no attention to me. ana !
was telling him that | no chance 10
get the proper forms when he leaned TOT
ward. his face white and drawn win rage
and with a sweep Of his arm said. Go obey
the order at oncel' went ont as directed.
said Can't. Chase to himself. Tins con
tradicted the testimony of Lieut.. Hugh -
Brown. the post adlutant. VINO was prestMI
on the occasion and said that the oiohSi :
manner was not ~peTemptOTv and that hls
tones in Diminishing Capt. Chase were JUS
ordinary.
On cross-examination Capt. Chase was
not as good a witness. He failed 10 answer
the questions in the terms they called Ip,l
and the Judge advocate made some aoTl'
monious remarks. Col. Walter Howe. the
president Of the court. once HAD ~ can tOl
order between the two. Capt. johnston
questions were designed to show that two
matters complained Of 10y capt thase u
the letter which brought the Court-maTtia
on him were all right a they We're. lh'
Judge advocate tried 10 bring ON ma
JaDt. Chase had been reniiss IN his duties
in regard to filing the reports and further
That he had no cause OF complaint aRaiusI
Capt. Raymond. another officer who wal
suppossi to have been discourteous e
Capt. Chase.
Lieut.. Col. Deems was on the stand To
n brief time in the morning session to rom
nle,e his recross-examination. He wa
followed bv Cap'. Charles +. Morse. pos
surgeona Fort Howard. who told of Severs
> nhysltal difficulties from which Capt
Chase had suffered besides rheumat ism.
The cross-eSaminntion of Capt. Chas'
and the summing mp. it is expected. will
all he lone by the end of tO-dav's session
which begins at 1910 O'Clock this morning