The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-07
MAI. KOEHLER ON STAND
CHARGES A CONSPIRACY
Angered Officers, lie Says, By
Closing Club Into Which
They Took Others Wives.

NEW LONDON, Conn.,. March s.-Ms3or
Benjamin NJ koehler. late commander q
Fort Terry. now under court-mart!a, On
charges OF grave immortality. vas on tho
stand all Of to-day In his own defence ard
withstood cross-examination without
break
He was required to account for himself
on half dozen different occasions In tho
last two years. day and night These
were the times and places mentioned In the
charges. His story Of each was explicit
In addition he was asked by the judge
advocate. Capt James J. Mayes. to a.
count for himself on a dozen other days
scattered over q period OF six years. He
was able 10 do this too
These were occasions not mentioned IN
the charges against him but brought ouA
from witnesses for tho prosecution. They
were at military posts AL the way from
Preside. San francisco. to Fort Terry.
guarding Long Island Sound. Official
records Of the Long Island Sound district
kept at Fort Wright and records from
other posts reQusitioned by tho court In
many instances bore out Major koehlers
accounting FOR his whereabouts.
Major koehler seldom hesitated in h!s
replies. Twice a deep flush showed under
the tan OF his face when he was detail
ing disputes he had had with officers
under him. He showed distress and indig-
nation once over sharp query thrust 1T
the heart of the charges against him.
The accused officer outlined what he
contends IL conspiracy to compass his
ruin
~ excited the enmity Of cer>ain osficep
under me by closing the Officers club.
he is reported to have said.
II closed the club because these officers
We're there with the wives OF non-comme
stoned officers. should have presset
charges against them. A moment OF re-
lentng was the grave mistake that made
1T IL "a conspiracy to Dust me from
the army and SO blacken my character
that I would never be able to look man
In the face again.
Gentlemen. don't consider mo I. 20
sacrifice me is necessary for the good
name Of the army. But consider, l pray
you. VINO really has stained tho ar7ny's
honor In this"
Col. Harry ]. Hawthorne ard sani-ei
II. Hudson, koehler's lawyers, hsN,
dozens OF kilograms from army officers
and from enlisted men all over the cor"
try who volunteer testimony to aid Mao
koehier Not many Of these witnesses ~!
be called because OF the time and expense
/; would take to bring them 10 Fort Terry
II Major koehler 10 acquitted there VII
be several courts-martlal 10 follow, u 10
said.
Some one from the War Departmer. e
Washington Is investigating things around
Forts Wright and Terry. This MAKES
about the nth investigation growing out
OF the secret court martial. II IS re-
ported that Washington Inquire a"d
been looking into the issuing OF passes Q"
the Government boats between the th-e"
forts and New London.
The Fishers Island Navigation Goa
pany has complained vigorously 20 O..
War Department against laXity on thee.
boats. alleging that they are used
ferries to the detrment OF the company
own business
Passes TO the three forts are .ssued b'
Fort Wright by Capt, Claudius NJ Sea
man. ad1utant OF the district. They are
supposed TO be Issued with the perIn!ss!1
Of Col John ID. Berrette