The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-22
CHAMBERLAIN BILL
ANNULSSENTENCES
Extends CfemsnCy'to Service
Men Convicted by Courts
Martial.
RESTORES THEIR PAY
Grants Honorable Discharges
and Names Board to Pass
on Felony Cases.
RESTORES THEIR PAY
spactal DsspafnA 90 TIE sur.

bpecfdt DespdfoA 20 TIE Sun.
WASHINGTON, July 91.--SenAtor Cham-
berlain tore) introduced in the Senate
to-day bin extending general ciemency
to soldiers, sailors and marines who
have been court-martialled during the
war. This is the upshot of the Ions
and determined fight against the pres
ent system Of administering military
Justice. Despite the opposition OF the
higher officers Of the army Congress has
been deeply impressed with the extreme
severity Of the penalties inflicted az
means to maintain discipline.
The Chamberlain bill provides tnat all
court-martialled men shall be forthwith
restored to the colors and their rccoi d.
shall stand as II they had never brS
prosecuted unless they were convicted
of crimes equivalent to a felony under
the Federal statutes. All forfeitures OF
pay and allowances shall be repaid II
them at once. They shall be given hon
orable discharge and any forfeited ciu-
zenship rights shall be restored.
A board of clemsncy and review would
be created. composed Of three members,
versed In the Law. appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate.
1t would review, revise, modify or annul
ell court-martal determinations since
April 6. 1917. in which the crime charged
was equivalent to felony under the Fed
eral law.
Senator Chamberlain explained he had
personally prepared the measure without
assistance because of his deep convlc-
ton that 1t was necessary to establish
Justice. He asked that the bill be read
to the Senate. and then said
81 am advised that the total of the
sentences imposed by courts-martial dur
ing the world war upon Ameri-
can soldiers was about 5000 years. A
clemency board has been appointed by
the Secretary OF War without any real
authority except to make recommends;
tons for reduction of sentences This
board has recommended reduction OF
sentences which brings the total down TO
about 600 years that American SOL
diers must serve in prison. The stigma
Of conviction is not removed by action
OF the clemency board and under the
construction placed upon the law by the
distinguished Secretary of War and
some Of his military advisers there is
practically no revisory power over these
sentences where the court-martial had
Jurisdiction and the proceedings have
been regular
THE purposes of the bill which have
Introduced cannot be more briefly stated
than they are in the bill itself.
The measure applies equally TO all
engaged In the military or naval SER
vice and who were subject to court
martial
The stories which are coming to me,
many OF them verified. OF the outrages
being committed against young men
through the fundamentally of courts
martial are so horrible that some legis-
lat!on ought to be acted upon promptly
to obtain relief. I may little later
pat n part of these ca SEES IN the record
THE fact that already the clemency
board has reduced the sentences in the
aggregate from $4,000 years to $500
years is proof positive that the sen
toHces were out OF all proper 'on to the
crimes committed. These 5000 years
ought TO be wiped out or placed at an
ir educible minimum.
The bill will have to run counter Ia
strong military machine, but l believe
thu American people when the facts are
presented will appeal to Congress 70
pass a measure which will remove the
IT, justlces which have been committed
against the young men by courts-mar-
tal and the more terrible things that
are being perpetrated against them
while they were serving their sentences
in France and possibly In sonl0 cases in
this country"