New-York tribune., 1912-02-16
SHMSON REMOVES
GENERAL A|NSWORTH
adiutant GeneraIOf Army Facing
Court Martial on Charges
of INSTRUMENTATION.
cl AsHED WITH GEN. WOOD
cacretarv of War Administers
Caustjc Rebuke to Deposed
oficial-A Sensational
Result of Line and
staff Fight.
1rrn,n The Tribune Rurcau. !


washington, Feb. 15.-rhe War Dc
..ment has under consideration the
T., nv court martial Of Major General
4,.5 c. Ainsworth. adjutant gen
-, ~ the army. This is implied in a
t,,1r delivered to-day TO that officer by
der NJ President Taft, relieving him
,rou duty at tho head Of the adjutant
.ororars office. and directing him TO re-
Ii, IN Washington pending disciplinary
,,,oospres. which are regarded by the
c.,retarv Of War as justified by alleged
i.s,,bordinate official communications
Cor which General Ainsworth is response
bic.
In summing up his letter of suspension
cecretarv Stimson does not mince words.
rse,,ng that ne had been attacked he
s,ys he had not deemed himself nj 10
tiLa judicial action, but had laid the
.n,,re matter before the President, who
ordered that the adiutant general be
repeved a once The Secretary says;
vour present action. which, because OF
,b. prior warning received and the length
:. Jim. consumed in the preparation OF
vour present memorandum, must be
J..r,ed deliberate, is therefore but the
.,I,,ination of a series Of outbreaks eVi-
d,neino such intolerance OF suoord'na-
i'm and such readiness to impusn either
,,. motives or tho intelligence of those
LIN whom il is your duty to work IN
.,s.eiation. as, if uncorreeted, to destroy
yo,,r usefulness in your present ONCE
- is impossible that the business OF the
government shall be properly conducted
g official communications are made the
oeeasior for contemptuous comments
and aspersions upon fellow officers ana
ior insolence to superiors. Under such
circumstances seIf-respect would forbid
that co operation which Is necessary to
effective service
Colonel Mccain Succeeds Ainsworth
rromediately on receiving the letter
General Ainsworth went to his apart
rnents and would see only few intimate
friends. He was instructed to await
orders IN this city. Colonel H. P. Mccain
was appointed acting adjutant general
snd Immediately assumed his duties.
The action created profound sensa-
ton IN the War Department, where
however. the incident was not wholly
,inexpected by those who realized the
growing acuteness Of the relations be-
tween the adjutant general and the
Chief Of Staff. Major General Leonard
Wood. The War Department has been
practically demoralized over the contro-
persy which has prevailed for some time,
snd the President has had under con-
alteration for the last month various
propositions to relieve the vexatious
situation. It has been under contem-
plat,on TO send General Ainsworth to
the Philippines on an extended inspec-
ton tour. It was also suggested that ne
be assigned to the command OF the Cen
trail Division, with headquarters at chi
csgo. Il being found that this could
be done under existing law The pend
ing army legislation, Incorporated IN
the army appropriation bill, includes
much which meets with opposition In the
War Department, and the charge Is
made that General Ainsworth Is largely
responsible for this. Indeed, the charge
az conspiracy between General Aims
worth and Mr.. Hay, the chairman OF
the House Military Committee, was
made on the floor Of the House to-day
in the debate on the army bill.
The outcome Of the relief Of General
Ainsworth is the subject Of animated
discussion tonight among army officers
IN Washington. Some of them do not
conceal their gratifcation at the incl
dent. Others perceive in the affair
trouble for the Chief Of STAFF ana the
Srcretary of War. especially IL there is
a, resort 10 court martial proceedings.
II * said, for example. that the friends
e General AinswOrth i'm Congress and
eieewherc will urge an investigation Of
the methods of the General Staff. II is
certain that If there is a court martial,
the developments will he interesting
The War Department is understood to
be considering tho assignment of Cap
tain Samuel r. Ansell, of the infantry.
who is an acting judge advocate on duty
at Governors Island. to duty in Wash
ington in connection with the possible
court martial.
Result OF Line and staff Fight.
q fucral Ainsworths removal is con-
SHSred the outcome of many years Of
atruGGlc for control between the line and
tic stan OF the army. General Wood