New-York tribune., 1919-02-15
Reports Not Exaggerated

or Sorah asked the members OF the
Mill airy Affairs Committee whether
me reports in to-day's papers We're
correct Senator Knox assured Sena-
Tor Borah that the accounts were not
exaggerated, but. on the contrary, had
not presented some of the most anaz-
ing cases brought to the attention Of
the MEMBERS.
General Ansell," said Senator Fre-
ing nuysen. appeared before the COM
mitfec recommending wider powers of
rev w for the judge advocate gem
IRA Office and made some statements
20 he committee regarding a number
Of cases where he believed grave in
Justice had been done, and that owing
% ne system it was impossible for
me judge advocate general TO review,
revise or mitigate the sentence.
The committee asked for the names
Of the soldiers who had been convicted
and il was decided by the committee
that their names should be withheld
from the records, but they should be
given to the chairman Of the COM
mit-ee.
Names of Officers Can BE Had
The names Of the officers Of the
court martial who imposed the penal
lies were not asked | will say to the
i mat information Is desired II can
De procured from General Anscll, Who
.s the acting Judge Advocate General
~ want TO know" said Senator
Horah. the names OF these men who
sssessed these unconscionable judg-
ucnts against the delinquents, so that
20 may know who they are. We may
POSSIBLY have reason to deal with
tnem."
4 think" said Mr.. Chamberlain,
"slat when the Senator from Idaho
reads the very able discussion OF the
.yal side. the legal phases Of the
articles of war, he will oe very much
Interested in General Ansel's testi~
rnory.
"A the last analysis one Of the very
nat difficulties is a difference be-
.9ren lawyers as to the construction
pt a certain provision Of the law.
Gsneral Ansel and those who agree
s1th him insist that the judge advo-
ate generals department has power TO
rsviSe and review the proceedings of
the courts martial. while others in the
same branch OF the service still hold
rat the law does not give that power
Twenty Years for One Boy
Il have now IN my possession said
enator Borah, "information which
ZONES to me direct from an authority
the War Department who examined
nc records and who knows whereof
le speaks such as this: a boy was
rdered TO peel potatoes, which he de-
lined to do, and he was sent TO the
lenitentiary for twenty years by
ourts martial
THE man who assessed that punish.
nent ~ dangerous member OF 80.
iety. He would commit murder If tho
miserable coward would not be inter,
epted in his deed. Il is that man
nat ! want to reach"
should like to call the attention
the Senator from Oregon" said Sen
a'or Knox, ito the fact that | do no
fegard the difference Of opinion be
ween General Ansell and Genera
der as TO the appellate jurisdic
-,of or the right % revise by tn,
ucee advocate generals Office as n
~ involved IN this matter.
General Crowder's construction o
ne law did not procure theee exces
I'VE and barbarous sentences, which
Tere imposed upon our men in Frame,
Or IN this country. The whole ques
ion j. whether these excessive sen
ier,es can be reviewed The fact i
iat they we're reviewed. and in al
- these very extreme cages the gen
'eness were very much reduced"
General Ansell appears before tn
ee,1mittec again tomorrow
Also Discussed in House
Discussing the court martial expose
preventative Moore. Of Penpsylvanja
q. in the House:
After reading the testimony with re
fafe 70 the barbarisy Of certain Ameri
fig ofHeers~- shame upon them an,
hose of their Kind who have no regar,
fof the flesh and blood Of the sons o
America, i would go 80 far ~ IN i'm
Jeaeb some Of those in power. Az on
Hember Of Congress pledge nysel
4ew . keep ny @ye upon this situation
. that We nlay say u human brufes
nose who arc paradipg ip the Uniform