New-York tribune., 1919-04-07
Sends Criticism Officially

o War.
Sends Criticism Officially
Accordingly, on April Colonel An
sell again communicated to the Secre-
+arv Of War. through military chan
neis. comprehensive statement of
conditions in the military courts,
charging the Secretary of War with
having. through publication OF the
crowder correspondence, attempted 20
prejudice the public IN favor of the
latter officers contentious.
AS q matter Of common fairness"
Colonel Ansen wrote, "inasmuch as you
published General Crowder's asper-
sions on me- in q statement which you
iavi ed him TO make and then made
nublic, you should not deny me, but
accord ne, my right OF defence before
the same public forum
Secretary of War Baker made no
public comment here tonight regard
ing the Anseu correspondence before
his departure for New York. where he
will sail on the Leviathan for France
tomorrow. It is anticipated that he
Will, however, issue some statement
prior 80 his departure.
Baker Orders Hands OF"
In the opinion of members of Con-
gress Interested in the fight Colonel
Ansen is making for reform of the
army court martial system, the stua-
ion has passed the stage where it is
possible for the Secretary o. War TO
suppress or ignore the facts as pre-
sented by Colonel Ansell. That the
Secretary Of War Is cognizant Of this
rising criticism Is evidenced, it is
said by his issuance of orders at the
War Department that he was personal
y handling the situation, which serves
70 prevent any comment on the matter
rom officers Of the department during
lae Secretary's absence abroad
There Is certain TO be an airing Of
the Anseu-Crowder controversy and q
.aorougn investigation OF the army
@9tr- martial system by the military
committee Of che next Congress. Sec
7efary Baker has virtually issued Il
naoAc challenge 70 Secretary Chamber
.ain, Of Oregon, retiring chairman Of
fna Senate Committee, TO INVESTIGATE
ne matter, and the latter, it is pre-
alced, Tlll accept ne challenge In this
ne Will have the support. il is certain,
o. the Republican membership of the
comma tee.
Un the House side there is an equal
strong disposition TO investigate tn-
situation, although this Is tempered in
some degree by propaganda circniatsd Ia -
by friends Of General crowdsr ni r.A '5u ~
@nlch X Is being represented that the
ae'sr made Colonel Ansell" and that
-S animated by motives Of person
a-1"1',on IN MS presen tattack on the
'''se ao7oeate's department.
Baker Returned Report
Secretary Bakers letter daclir4, 81
Seceive the Anseil report dared Ms~.S ~
81, vas as followst
Memorandum for Ideutsnsn+ ro1o
nsl s 7. ANGEL '0 ''e"e Noto-
,...,r me secretary Of War declines To
= - 'ne attached letter, and returns
SET" ehe suggestion that ne will
..eoane from Colonel Angell anv Oh
..1elons ne desires 70 roake. ejtbar
.o1gh ordinary military channels o7
mdsey iooking 10 amendments or
cd. sss5s~...ea'sons o. legislation or pro
ape..s snscting military justice.
r.l<,a9 9'.al controYcrsies between
sss - Hn8eii ard other officers can
~ Ds properly discussed ar a. losa4
-s'sfmined by nswspaO Der ps6ficift -
- fetore, 19Rxested that If Cnloual
m@ess .s'a oesifes an examination Into fhe
80 - nose coutroversfes he ayaii
49, " tnH remedies provided bv
e,rs ana ~ tne articles NJ war.
ee5s - herewith returned is MT
<Iicnsl1 useless and improper for
s'.@@..s.s~s'Dn, but IN ~ present farm
- '<k'f y =, y oe received by the gscrs-
'f 4" Mar officially.
"AkWTOS .. BAKER,
s"cretAry " War"
'''ss Through "IiIitary channejsv
sspiy 70 this. under date of April
-pipnsi Anseii sent tnn fofIowlnv
~ - '4N'eat'on ~ tho adlntant general
aois 's y. army, through military chan~
ts,v sg5 %, consideration Of the gecre-
~. .~gsa.ilng foyseB ~ ths authority NJ
ae,s ~syys Es memorandum, | will state
feag pl'sny M obEervations. rs they
anf ~. ~ 4eohd Ia various memoranda
- sefnents Of mine within the de
ths I'm, ssD cohcernlng the deficiencies Of
tes. ~'"s'"g system III military jun
vI... srss speaking generally, and Of
~. s which in ny judgment dsst e v"a W
sr assurance og Justice.
esx. .De iaws Of Congress Of an oryanf,
sksd &. should accord with and oro-
fss+" =" IRftneyance If the fundamental
ssds shat courts martial are inher-
sass., eo9fts, their functions are inher-
5sI laaleial and their powers fo,iat h,.
ssala'i3 se.sa1 exercised, and guch lava
h. AZ, ~, unaef penalty II need be. forbid
xa,a 1@ftfaent ard tne army ~ digre~
~ duties and functions. '' -
IT, D~hganie ~ Et@tute should require that
s,s. sxstsm De Law controlled. and nor
49, h,ssollea as II now is by men, and mil
M mea ut That, whose training ix
Nsnss sway from Judicial aDpreeia.
rsie law should require that the