New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-04
ORDERS PUBLICITY
In KOEHLER TRIAL
Secretary Garrison Rules
That Newspaper Men
Must Not Be Barred.
MINISTER'S PROTEST
ON SUNDAY HEARINGS
Witness Against Accused Major
Testifies as to Alleged
Acts at Fort TOtten.

Iron STAFF Correspondent OF The Tribune !
New London. Conn March 3.-An en-
phatic order TO cease discriminating
against newspaper men was received to-
day az Fort Terry. where the court-mar-
tial of Major Benjamin NJ Koehler is in
progress. 1t came from the Secretary Of
War and declared that newspaper men
should not be barred from the fort The
trial. however. will remain closed to the
public
At a meeting of the New London Asso-
citation OF Congregational Ministers to- day
thirty clergymen protested against hold
ing the court martial on Sunday. The
Rev. Or. J. Romayn Danforth pastor OF
the First Congregational Church. OF New
London, said: Admitted that court mar
tials are held on Sunday when there is
exceptional need. we feel that a case SO
disgusting in nature might we'll be ad-
journed over the Sabbath"
The order to allow newspaper men on
Plum Island from which they have been
barred. while local basketball teams have
been accorded the privilege of going there.
was received by Captain Claudus NJ.
seaman. adjutant OF the Long Island
Artillery District. this afternoon II was
signed by Secretary Garrison and sent by
him to General Leonard Wood, who in
turn forwarded It 10 Adjutant General
William 4. Simpson, of the Department
Of the East. at Governors Island From
there II was wired 70 Fort Terry. In the
message the Secretary OF War expressed
in decided terms his displeasure at the
methods taken at the fort TO avoid pub
lefty. The officers there were ordered
10 Immediately cease discriminating
against newspaper men and to grant
those who showed credentials all the
courtesies and privileges extended TO any
citizen OF the country
The order overruled the decision Of
Colonel John d. Barrette, commander OF
the district, who refused newspaper men
transportation on the government boats
and forbade their landing from private
boats on Plum Island.
The trial Of Major Koehler WAS re-
sumed at 9 o'clock this morning, wit
nesses for the prosecution still having
their innings. One Of the first 10 testify
was Sergeant Bennett. of Fort Totten,
Whitestone. Long Island who said that
in the summer OF 1910 Major Koehler
was on recruiting duty In New York He
made his headquarters at Fort Totten,
Sergeant Bennett said, and while there
his actions caused his morality TO be
questioned by Bennett.
John w Barrett, private. who was re-
fro, -
a second class private at 800 a month by
Major Koeher for participating in a
petty gambling game, also took the wit
ness stand on behalf OF the prosecution.
He told Of occurrences in the stables at
the fort
Another officer who went to Fort
Terry to-day was Major Edwin O. Sar-
rett. also Of Fort Totten. There are con-
flcting rumors as to whether he is TO tes
tify at the trial or conduct an investiga-
ton at the garrison, which, 1t Is rumored,
IL TO be begun shortly. Lieutenants John
p Smith and Thomas Q. Humphreys, OF
Fort Monroe, other visitors TO the island,
are expected TO give testimony against
Major Koehler.
While II was generally denied to-day at
the fort that three prospective witnesses
escaped yesterday in an open boat. risk
ing their lives in the stormy waters. it
became known here that three privates
were reported as having left the reserva-
ton without permission.
Major Koehler's answer TO the accusa-
tons against him and his defence will lie
largely in the establishing Of alibs. His
counsel. Colonel Henry j. Hawthorne, and
Samuel II. Hudson. Boston attorney,
are attempting to pin witnesses 10 dates.
hours end places at which the acts they
alleSe were committed a general denial
of most OF the charges will be filed with
the court. while there will also be counter
charges Of conspiracy.