Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-02-15
Army Court Martial
Scandal Aired in Serd.c

washington. Feb. lS.--An exposure
by Gen. samuel 7. Anseli assis'"h'
i,,as. advocate general OF the army OF
the Injustice OF courts martial under
Inc administration of Secretary OF war
BAKER. which Is alleged to have sen.
hundreds, II not thousands, OF eh'su,"
men 10 the penitentiary illegally CON
yicted or sentenced 10 unduly severe
punishment for trivial offenses stirrsa
the military affairs committee OF 'hs
senate. -.
General AnseIl, who himself braves
punishment for his temerity In uncover
ing the scandal pronounced "shoeS.
inr- and '"intolerabie- the methods OF
administering military justice durins
,he war. The committee summoned
the general 10 testify in connection
with Chairman Chamberlain OIL 10
reform the system ON military Justice
To Call Crosder and Baker.
Judge Advocate General Crowdefr
whose reappeintment was sent TO the
senate today and Immediately con-
firped also will be called before the
committee. as will be Secretary OF war
Baker.
As General Anseil detailed case AFTER
case OF the injustice and harsh treat
ment accorded enlisted men tried pE
court martial in indignation OF the
members Of the eommittee-democTats
as well as repuhlicans-Nas eNinoec
by explosive utterances.
Practically ali Of the members are
strong believers in adequate prepar-
ednes. and they are fearful that the
prnctices Of the courts martial, unless
exposed and checked. will have a disas-
trous effect on the future national de-
Tense program.
Nenpartisan Resentment.
I'VE haven't struck bottom yet,
said Senator Chamberlain as the COM
mittee recessed tonight.
II can see now why II Is so difficult
for US to get an adequate army In
peace tina" said Senator Thomas
democrat
In the midst Of the hearing the au-
thority Of the secretary OF war 70 re-
lease the conscientious directors, as he
has been doing recently, was question
ed and the committee determined 10
summon Mr.. Baker TO explain.
Senator Frelinghuysen had been
moved to comment upon the strange
contrast between Mr.. Bakers atttu de
In uphoIding a court-martial system
resulting In Illegal and inhumane pun
ishments while svincirg SO tender
regard FOR the men who had refused
to fight for their country. He told
the committee he is receiving numbers
OF letters from troops in camps COM
planning that the conscientious object
ors are being dealt with lightly, that
they are being discharged and sent
home with "a new suit OF clothes. s4c0
in money, and a bouquet"
Conscientious Directors.
What has been the policy OF the
war department toward the coascien-
tious ob5ectors?" asked Senator Ere
linghuysen. Had the secretary of wal
authority to release these men,"
May Be excused from answer
ing" Gen. Ansell asked. II would be
embarrass tng-"
The secretary Of war can tell Us
about 1t. Wen have him up here and
ask him" Senator Chamberlain said.
Maybe he'll have objections" com
mented Senator Knox, OF Pennsyl-
vania
conscientious objections, I sup.
pose" observed Senator Frelinghuy.
sen.
AnselI Cites Punishment.
Here are n <ew Of the many cases
cited by Gen Ansell as disclosing tn,
system of punishment in vogue durin:
the war:
The death penalty was imposed upon
an American soldier in France who
pleaded guilty 10 the charge Of refus.
Ing to obey an order to drill. The sol
der claimed he was Ill and physically
unable to obey. The military autho.
rites in France insisted upon the ea.
ecution OF the sentence. but the mar
was saved BY executive clemency
A court martial. sitting IN this coun-
try. ordered abe death penalty intict.
ed upon a soldier who went 10 the bed.
side Of his dying father without leave
He returned 10 duty as soon as MS
father died The man was saved D!
interference from Washington.
A sentence Of forty years was i'm
posed upon a young soldier. in tht
army only a few days, because ne re-
fused to give up package Of cigarer!
TO his superior officer, a second lieut.
enant A company row" was the way
General Anseil characterized the in
cfdent. =
Dishonorable discharge. forfeiture 9
pay. and forty years imprisonment
afterwards reduced TO ten years, va
the sentence pronounced upon a maj
for absenting himself without leave.
A private who went home withou
leave 10 see his wife and sick baby. Il
destitute circumstances, was sentenced
10 fifteen years Imprisonment. Tim