New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-05
Trial of Accused Army Off
Ger Still Held Behind
Closed Doors.
DISMISSAL WORST
SENTENCE EXPECTED
Major Andrew Moses Star Wit
ness When Defence Has Its
First Inning.

rFrom a stan Correspondent OF The tribune J
New London. Conn, March 4.-Ihe tria'
Of Major Koehler, L. S. A., was continued
behind closed doors to-day. in spite or the
presence OF newspaper men, who were
permitted 70 visit Plum Island, where
thcy were shown every courtesy by the
military authorities. They we're permitted
10 wander at will about the Notifications
every spot on the government properly
being omen 10 them except a wing OF the
gymnasium and library building. where
the court martial is being held.
II was learned, however, that the de-
fence had its first say to-day. the star
witness being Major Andrew Moses, com"
,nander of Fort VI. G. Wright. sister tort
of Terry. and a West Point classmate OF
Major koehler. The testimony OF VII
nesses for the prosecution is all in, unless
some coup which has been held back VIII
he used in rebuttal.
The stories told by complaining VIII
nesses, IL is said on good authority, do not
actually incriminate Major Koehler. The
missal from ths service.
One of the most damaging narrations 20
show Major Koehler's guilt was thrown
out bodily. it was learned to-day, because
Of the past record of the witness, a former
Canteen sergeant.
When the noon recess was taken Colonel
Henry Kirby, president of the court, and
Captain James ]. Mayes, the judge advo-
cate. told the newspaper men that the
trial was secret and secret II should be
until the very end.
THE interests OF justice. the service. the
defendant and all concerned demand that
the trial shall be closed" said Colonel
Kirby. THE court has decided to give no
information out. We are trying TO do our
duty as we see it,"
Major Moses said he had known the &C
Cused officer for twenty years, and he had
never by any word or act of Major
Koehler's been led TO suspect that he was
the sort OF man witnesses have sworn he
is He was astounded.
Major Mosess testimony is expected 70
assist materially in establishing an abb
for Major Koehler for days and hours
when many OF the acts with which he is
charged were said by witnesses TO have
taken place. On many OF those dates
Major Moses hopes to show he was in
Major Koehler's company at places re-
n,ote from the scene of the alleged prac-
tees.
Another witness to-day was Lieutenant
Thomas o. Humphreys OF the artillery
school at Fort Monroe. He also did much
to discredt tho stories detrimental 10
Major Koehler. Witnesses who may yet
be called for the prosecution. II was de-
termined to-day, are Sergeant Kirkman,
of the ssth Company, coast artillery. and
Private Fairey. stationed at Fort Terry.
Word received here from Washington
this evening established that Major
Koehler telegraphed to his brother. Repre-
sentative Koehler, to-day, asking If he
thought II advisable that he take the
stand in his own defence The Repre-
sentative replied. IL is understood, that the
major should rely entirely upon advice Of
his military counsel, Colonel Harry J.
Hawthorne, and his lay adviser. Samuel
II Hudson. a lawyer from Boston.