Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-16
WAS DlSCRETE.
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ton upon his own integrity and upon
that of other high officers in the de-
Hartment
Secretary Stimson's letter of suspen-
sion which was delivered to Gen. Aims
worth, this morning, took up incidents
as far back as October, 1909. in which
the secretary held the adjutant general
was unduly caustic in dealing with his
superiors and in criticizing them. Be-
ginning with last December the sec
rotary refers to his order to the adju-
tant general to submit to the chief of
staff his opinion on proposal 70 abol-
ish the present muster roll and to
modify certain other rolls,
Secretary Stimson felt that the adju-
tant general had used language that
impugned his own integrity and fair
ness. as we'll as that of other officers
Of the department. The record shows
that General Ainsworth remarked that
1t would be difficult if not impossible
to formulate any statement that would
carry conviction to any one unmind-
FIJI of consequences or so uniformed
as to the needs of the government and
the public.
It was assumed that he referred eth
er to the secretary or to the officers
OF the general staff. Again the adju-
tant general characterized the staff
proposal "As mere subterfuga of the
kind that would be scorned by honor
aole men" and that the proponents
had betrayed a lamentable lack of
Knowledge"
He als1 spoke of the cool assur
ance'' of other officers and remarked
that at will be worse than useless to
present further facts or arguments
here. 1t also is charged that General
Ainswcrth insinuated improper mo-
tives on the part of the chief of staff
in relieving certain recruiting officers.
Secretary Stimson in a note to Cen
eral Ainsworth said that rudeness and
III temper had become habitual on the
part of the latter He also declared
the Ainsworth report to be the eulmi-
nation of series of outbreaks evil
iencing such intolerable insubordina-
ton and such readiness to impugn the
motives or the intelligence of those
with whom it is your duty to work in
association as, If uncorrected, to de-
stroy your usefulness in your present
office"
REGARDING the attack upon himself.
Sec. Stimson said that he referred the
natter to the President who directed
General Ainsworths release pending
disciplinary measures.
General Leonard GOD, chief of staff.
has had many clashes with General
Ainsworth. ,AElWE
Col IA. p Mccain has succeeded
General Ainsworth.
Although rupture between the gen.
eral staff and the adjutant generals
office had been regarded for sometime
as inevitable, in view of the extremely
bitter personal relations that have ex
listed for some time and particularly
since the reorganization scheme re-
ported from the House committee on
military affairs in connection with the
pending army appropriation BILL to-
lays action of the secretary of war
and the President proved a decided
sensation.
Although General Ainsworth has re-
peatedly denied responsibility or au-
thorship for the legislation reported
from the military committee and OPP
posed by the administration, it was
believed that he at least was furnish
ing the ammunition for the congress
sional opponents of the war depart
ments policies, in proof Of which it
was pointed out that Chairman Hay
was in possession of much information
that must have emanated from the adj
jutant generals office.
Never before in the history Of the
e'.sa" hos 'no adJutant general been
courtmartialed.
In summing up his letter of suspen-
sion Secretary Stimson does not mince
words. He says that feeling that he
himself was attacked la did mt deo.7,
himself fit to take judicial action, but
laid the entire matter before the
| Pr sident, who ordered that the adju
tant general he relieved at once.
Not In many years has an officer of