The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-09
ropose Reforms in
United States Army
Court Martial System

washington. March s--One OF the
M first. rseces of legislation TO be taken
M. ia the house when congress re-
Fl xynnyenes will be sili providing Tor
n reforms in the army courtfnaruai
system, An informal agreement 20
this effect was reached today by the
Republican committee on committees
REPRESENTATIVE Royal G. Johnson
Is ss !lscso , l3lanl rST ett1!i12si Sofsr 30
she fsria9 line in France, brought the
matter IN. III the discussion whicn
~rsued. the position he has taken IN
ina houss. with regard to needed
changes in the courr1artial procedure
taken unanimously approved.
While IL was not in the province
u the committee To take formal
action, II was agreed by all OF the
thirty-six members, representing as
Is snany states that the conditions re-
rcaled by MIR. johnson and hrigadier-
General Ansnli in his testimony ce-
fore the senate military affairs com
mfrtee. demanded Immediate remedial
legislation
Mr. johnson gave tire committee
names and facts IN cases ii which
.rave !n5ustices have been done an
Frni,tee. com prjsfne the leader OF
zach Republican delegation, to take
sS,n the question Of reforms when the
Ss4ext house meats. viii mean thht
Nhatever legislation Is called UP VIII
she insured Of favorable action IN the
Mower branch.
In the senate a tentative agreement
go take I'D. TIE Chamberlain court
.,.Yartiel bill also has been reached.
NJ
sEake- today. Representative Johnson
k6emp~sfAd an explanation OF the demo-
s1ion Of General Arseil 70 his regular
army rank ~ lieutenant colonel which
ssvss announced last night. Mr.. John
saon'xn}e;tsr 20 the secretary follows;
Representative Johnson's Letter.
with respect 10 the delhotion OF
ss-er1rai s7ser which has been the
skuh3s-se 81 previous correspondence
s.giih vou. note your public state
zsnent 81 Yesterday in which you are
sncere 3steys with having said that;
sfaA@ General Ansell was denoted NJ
.xrsN. 8.rygln se~v routine Of demohilizine
slr.-ar1lly.~ ard that the demotfon had
fHsY -epe-ets 10 the ntroVersy ~hloh
Hi sisted with regard to tho admin
ssistraf.on OF military justice and Glenn
saaes
fE - -- ,prieadier General Kreger has
NIoited States. and In the absence OF
itseneral Crowder In Cuba, Genera
ss1Srerer. as sorIfor officer Of the judge
fndvocatr generals corps. will be nos
tt;snatcd as acting judge advocate
sFs<neral
-sf General Ausel Will continue u
Ebe chairman If the CiemerCy board
Il The question In which the publi'
Ia and ought to be. Interested
hHaU
,noted because OF his Stand upon al
administration Of military justice. fo'
aeuy The evidence seems flnt1y u
tsun tradict you, unless this he ono o
sfhose rare Instances where that ap
.snears as compelling evidence turn
fcut. upon explanation 10 DO rar
confidence =.
Il, 81 regard IT as due to yourself; Z
me as a member Of congress and 7
'ahe public at large. that you shout
frsespond to the following queries.
Already In Office.
.A-~why did you sent to Franc
.{br n needed brigadier- general VINE
One was already in the office
s .B~-Had not General Ansen bee
fieroted. would General Kreger, upo
his arrival at the office. have pee
fhe senior officer Of the judge ao
Tocate generals CORPSE
~ .'C--Was not General Ansell senio
10 General Kreger as hrigadicr ger
Araf by about seven months
ssT~-Was not General Ansel1 l
ss,,arre OF the office throughout tn
s4rrnater mart of the war, and not IA
tservices in that capacity SUCH as
scause you to award him the ois
s9snpuished sery ce medal just pre-
.Tmlouslv To his testimony before IN
4 Ezienate committee on military affairs
.eE-HaNe you ot recently author
Bed an increased by new appoint
siYnants 10 the office OF the judge af
syocate- genernlF
- '.F--Is rot General An=ell the fir
seeneral officer in tho Judge advoca'
4 s.KeneraFs department to be demoteu
"C-Was not General Sreser 81
q sFHsr.alfv aunointed % brteadier Reneri
s4cr an office in France which yo
snbolished the day YOU ordered M
Nome In amy event, upon tf
.sDbolishr1cnt Of his office. was he nj
evhe logical officer Ia he denoted
e "H-You say that General Anst
oMe3Ii continue to %" chairman OF II
ssr!emency board Now that he IL @
snnoteI Is he The senior officer on "
hoard and II rot the senior offic'
ffnder existing law what authority ca
sHHe exercise over the board1
I Senior TO General kreger.
SIN tho face OF the fact that Gener
sArsell was Ti1e senior TO Gener
Ereger In his own corps and
seericr In the grade Of brigadier get
s@ral bv the larger part Of the entll
eTst; and OF be fact that General Al
f1eli had served with, and for the no
sFart as the chief Of the office :
Mould by virtue OF his seniority. ha'
.sfsrcceeded % he headship of the o
lfsce AZ thc absence Of General Grow
sHer Notwithstanding The presence
gsDnerai Kreger in tho office, ~ u
further tact thai General AnsHll
Views are opposed NV the Judge AZ
soeate genei ana hv yourself ar
stsaat Just before hc rove his test
s,nony sou had awarded him med
for most distinguished service as ac
b sjng head Of ths office, but shortly a
Ser he haq testified. indeed, the ds
safter conGgeaS ijourncd, you o