New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-26
'KOEHLER DEFENCE
in M'COMBS'S CARE
Partner Of Democratic
Leader Confers with
Accused Major.
STERN WARMING
BARS REPORTERS
Secrecy Surrounds Court Martial
at Fort Terry-Begins Work
Lacking One.

LdNNiliS OhN'
! From star CORE porien Of The Tribune
New London. Conn Feb. sJ.-FredericlS
Il. Ryan, law partner Of William r. Nc
Combs. chairman Ok the National Demo
cratic Committee. went to Fort Terry this
afternoon to confer with colonel Harry
J. Hawthorne. military counsel for Major
/ Benjamin T. Koehlor. who IS facing
court martial. Upon returning to this
city on his way to New York Mr. Ryan
stated that it was probable that Mr. Nc
/ Combs would come 20 Fort Terry to de-
fend Kochler.
/ 81 am here in the interests Of Major
Koehier at the request Of Mi McCombs,'
Mr. Ryan said on landing from the gov
eminent boat from the fort Il did not
, leave the boat but while it was at the
! landing | talked with Colonel Hawthorne,
who for many years was Major Koehlers
! immediate superior. The law firm Of Nc
| Combs, Ryan e Gordon has been retained
! 20 assist in his defence, and it is very
come here at once
81 intended TO say over at Fort Terry,
but a telegram awaiting my arrival in
! structed me TO come back to New York
at once"
! When asked why Mr. McCombs was in
terested in the case Ryan replied:
"He was retained by friends OF the
major. / am not certain if he is a friend
of Koehlcr. or If he is personally ac-
quainted with him. but know for GER
tainty that he is a friend of Congressman
| Koehler. brother Of the accused officer.
1T is quite possible that it was through
/ him that Mr. McCombs was brought into
I the case"
! In reply to the question as to whether
! the connection of the chairman OF the
National Democratic Committee i'm the
case did not signify that the administra-
J tion had interested itself in the trial, in
; tending that Major Koeher should be
Z impartially dealt with. Mr.. Ryan declared
! he was not at liberty TO state
Neither can | tell the specifications Of
the charges for which Major Koehler has
been arraigned," he said 1T was my
purpose to stay at Plum Island for a day
, or so. but was recalled to New York TO
confer tomorrow with Mr.. McCombs,
who is staying at the Hotel Vanderbilt
Nothing can be given out regarding
the nature of the charges against the
major, but | am free TO say that ii is my
opinion that certain people at the fort are
making a mountain out of molehll."
! Mr.. Ryan arrived here at $3.50 o'clock
this morning and registered at the
Crocker House, expecting TO take an early
boat to Fort Terry. He was unable to
leave. however. until this afternoon.
! After delay of day the court mar
| tial proceedings against Major Koehler
were begun shortly after 10 o'clock this
morning. Lieutenant Colonel Sidney 5.
Jordan. of Fort Strong. a member of the
! court, whose absence delayed the proceed
| ings Yesterday, did not arrive to-day, so
the case was opened without him. \
court martial is legal when eleven to
| thirteen members of the court are in at
| tendance.
The secrecy which has marked the trial
| since its first announcement, was MAIN
tanned to-day. Soldiers from Fort Terry
were denied permission to visit New Lon
don when off duty, so zealously is the
| government attempting to prevent the
! slightest intimation of the nature of the
charges against Major Koehler from be-
coming public.
! Upon attempting 10 approach Plum
Island on tugboat late this afternoon
reporters We're warned that an attempt
to land would be made at their own peril.
Second Lieutenant Austen c. Frick,
! formerly warm friend of Major Koehler,
| refused over the telephone to-day TO deny
the reports here that he was to be one OF
| the leading witnesses for the prosecution.
! Il have nothing TO say whatever he
said Indignantly.
The business of the court martial to-
day was confined to preliminaries. The
order for the trial was read. and steps
! taken were TO have the first of the thirty
! five witnesses from Forts Terry and
! Wright called tomorrow.
When the boat bearing Mr. Ryan
reached the wharf at Plum Island this
afternoon il was met by Colonel Ilaw-
thorne. who was attired in full dress uni
| form. and Major kOehler. who wore the
uniform of his rank. without side arms.
The major appeared in the best OF spirits.
! greeting the New York lawyer cheerfully,
and spent more than an hour in a con-
/ ference i'm the chart room of the boat
| Lieutenant Frick was not graduated
| from the United States Military Academy,
but is a friend of the Du Pont family Of
I Delaware
! William l.. McCombs told a Tribune re-
porter last night that he had not yet de-
cded Just what to do I'm regard TO the
/ Koehler case.
Il am pretty well tied up with my work
+ just now" he said. hut just as soon as
/ can find out how much Of my time this
trial will demand I shall make my de-
cision. I'll probably let Colonel Hawthorne
know tomorrow or next day"
EYES NEW LURE AN ORANGE