Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-16
COurtmartiaI
 For AinsWorth
TAFT STRIPS ADJUTANT eENER-
 AL OF HIS OFFICE.
INSTRUMENTATION CHARGED
Climax of the Friction Between Offices
 of Adiutant General and Chief of
 staff-HObson Charges Conspiracy.

Washington, Feb. 15.-Major General Fred c. Ainsworth, adjutant general of the army, was stripped of his office today by order of President Taft and will appear before a courtmartial on charges said to embrace conduct preju- dtcial to good order and discipline and insubordinatiOn. His relief from duty was brought about in a letter to him from the secretary of war which bris- tied with sharp criticism.
 Sensation in Army Circles.
 The suspension of General Aims worth, the first that ever has occurred in the office of the adjutant general, caused 8 profound sensation in army and congressional circles. It was made the subject of a heated exchange on the floor of the house, where the army appropriation bill was being debated.
 Bad Feeling for Some Time.
 The action of the president was talk en after several conferences with Sec retary Stimson. For some time there had been friction between the adjutant generals office and that of the chief of staff. Clashes were not uncommon and there was almost a total lack of cooperation. The bad feeling culTni- mated when, in reply to Secretary Stimson's request for some statistical information, General Ainsworth made an answer which the secretary felt constrained to accept as reflection on his own integrity and upon that of other high officers in the department.
 Unduiy Caustic With superiors.
 Secretary Stimson's letter of suspen- sion, which was delivered to General AinsWOrth this morning, took up incl dents as far back 3s October 1909 in which the secretary held the adiutant general was unduly caustic in dealing with his superiors and in criticising them.
 Mccain Acting Adjutant General.
 Immediately on receiving the letter, General Ainswortn went to his apart ments and would see only a few inti- mate friends. He was instructed to await orders in this city. Colonel H. P. Mccain was appointed acting adjut ant general and immediately began his duties.
 Not Under Arrest.
 Although under orders not to leave Washington, General Ainsworth is not under arrest. He will be technically taken into custody when the military court is formed. At that time he will be served with eJ copy of zthe charges preferred against him, which are now being drawn oy the judge advocate general. He will be permitted to em- ploy counsel
 Hobson Shakes His Fist.
 When news of the suspension of Gen. eral Ainsworth was received at the capitol the house was debating the amendment in the army appropriation bill extending from three to five years the term Of enlistment. This amend ment had the endorsement of General Ainsworth, but was strongly opposed by the general staff.
 T charge that the information sup piled to the committee on military af- fairs has been misleading" shouted Representative R. P. Hobson of Ala bama, shaking his fist at his demo- cratic colleagues, that it emanated from the office of the adjutant general and that the edjuta1t general expected in return for his services to be made lieutenant general"
 Charges Conspiracy. He charged that there had been a conspiracy, but absolved Chairman Hay of any connection with it, how ever
 T claim that every noble impulse on the part of the chairman has been taken advantage off, said MT. Hobson. Then, referring to General Ainsworth, | he continued:
 T charge that he supplies his in formation in an irregular way; that he never sends any statement through the regular channels
 HObsOn's Charges Populated.
 Chairman 5Iay denied in positive ! terms that the committee has been traff1clling with the ad1utant general. He added that the charge of & con- spiracy was false, and said: | Every bit of information for which 1 the committee has asked was through | the secretary of war and was sent to me by the secretary of war" l Other members of the committee also repudiated MT. Hobson's charges. 1 The amendment extending the enlist ment term to five years was passed by | 8 vote of 101 to T3.
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