New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-07
Accused Major Plans to
Show Conspiracy to Drive
Him from Service.
TWO PROSECUTORS
TO SIFT EVIDENCE
Judge Advocate Calls for AS
SiStance and Officer Is Sent
from Governors Island.

From a staff Correspondent Of Tn. Tribune.
New London, Conn, March s.-Major
Benjamin NJ koehler, OF the coast artil-
lery. whose court martial Is being con-
Quoted secretly az Fort Terry. Plum ISL
and, took the stand in his own defence
to-day. No other witnesses were called.
The weather to-day aided Colonel
Henry Kirby, president of the court, in
keeping the trial secret The government
boat was unable to go further than Fort
Wright on Fishers Island. A binding
snowstorm blowing in from sea made
navigation difficult. so the trip could not
be made TO put reporters ashore at Plum
Island.
II was learned however, that Major
koehler went on the witness stand almost
a soon as the court convened at o'clock.
He showed little or no nervousness a. he
made specific denials of the charges which
witnesses for the prosecution have made
before the court.
The closing OF the officers club. one
of the frame buildings in officers row at
Fort Terry. which occurred last fall fol-
lowing an open alteration between two
officers. was rehearsed in detail by Major
Koehler The immediate cause for his
actions. it was explained. was because
undue familiarity existed between certain
officers and the wives of enlisted men At
the post.
Major Koehler said he refused 10
n
order closing the club. 1t IS now occu-
pied by few unmarried officers stationed
al the fort Two subordinate officers. who
were known 10 be antagonistic 10 Major
Koehler. later took advantage OF writ
ten charge made by an enlisted man, who
bought his discharge 10 bring the IN
curry into Major Koehler's conduct, which
led to the court martial.
The greater part of Major Koehler's de-
fence. il was learned. was confined TO
establishing alibis for dates and hours
when witnesses called by the prosecution
alleged he was committing the offences
with which he Is charged. When the case
is resumed tomorrow Major Koehler Will
90 on the stand again and continue his
testimony.
Before 10 IS completed, ii is believed,
specific charges Of conspiracy on the
part Of a captain and a second lieutenant
Of a company OF coast artillerymen at
the fort 10 have him thrown out of the
service with his character permanently
blackened Will be made.
The testimony OF Mrs. H. NJ. Ewing
and Mrs. James Hall. wives OF non-com-
missioned officers, who went before the
court Yesterday in Major koehler's de-
fence. gave Captain James J. Mayes, the
Judge advocate, so much information 10
verify that he declared to-day he would
have TO have assistance. Persons whose
names had not been brought into the case
before were mentioned by the women
If Captain Mayes himself were to inter
view them. with a view TO summonlns
them before the court. il would mean an
adjournment Of several DAYS. Conse-
ouentlv an unusual procedure In court
roartials has been taken. and an assistant
nudge advocate will arrive here tomorrow
from Governors Island.
Instead of ending tomorrow, the trial.
il was learned to-day, will probably drag
along all next week and possibly well
into the week following. only Few OF
the many witnesses called by the prose
cut;on have testified, and It Is believed
that several are being held for the re-
buttal When Captain Mayess assistant
gets busy at the post next week ne may
uncover new witnesses.