The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-08
By Associated Press

Washington, April 7.-Lieu- tenant Colonel Ansell, former judge advocate general and one of the leaders in the contro- versy over courts-martial pro cedure, has been directed by Secretary Baker to p-epar. and submit bill which in his opinion would correct defici- ences in the existing military justice system.
 The secretarys order, under date of April 5. was made public today by the war department At the same time an- nouncement was made that Secretary Baker had refused for the second time to make public the recent communica- ton from Colonel Ansell replying to state ments made by Major General Crowder, judge advocate general.
 The secretary's order which is in the form of regular departmental commit nication, signed by the adjutant general, through whom it was transmitted, fol lows:
 TEXT OF ORDER
 The Secretary of War acknowledges the receipt through military channels of the first paragraph of the endorse ment made by Lieutenant Colonel Ansell under the date of April 9, dealing with the subject of proposed changes in the system of military. justice The sugges- tons made by Lieutenant Colonel Ansell are entirely appropriate in form and substance and merit earnest considers ton, which they will receive. With many of the suggestions the Secretary of War finds himself in hearty concurrence. if
 In fact, existing statute law is defec- tive in the particular suggested by the proposed changes. In order that the sub- ject may be fully considered and the views of Lieutenant Colonel Anscll adc- auately studied it is directed that Lieu tenant Colonel Ansell prepare and sub init to the Secretary of War at the earli- est possible date draft of such T bill as in his opinion would be adapted to carry into effect the ideas expressed in the first paragraph of his endorsement.
 With regard to the second paragraph of the endorsement which calls for this memorandum, the secreta of War de- ciincs to receive officially the communi- cation herewith returned. The communi- cation in question has already been pub lished and there is, therefore, no point
 In seeking to use Tie Secretary of War as a medium of publicity. The resort to personal comment in connection with this subject matter was not begun by Gen eral Crowder 1t plainly would have been more fitting and appropriate if never be- gun by anybody. It has certainly been carried far enough by everybody.
 'The Secretary of War assumes Lieu tenant Colonel Ansell's earnest desire to concentrate public attention and official attention upon the improvement of the system of military justice, and is quite sure that single minded and unbiased consideration of that subject can best be assured by the abatement of further personal discussion and unanimity of ef- fort to work out the best results for the system which we all desire to improve"
 The publication of this order by the department follows the unauthorized pub lication of the secretarys note return ing to Colonel Ansell the communica- tion submitted by the officer in reply to certain statements made by General Crowder Tn that communication MT. Baker declined to receive the paper as not being in proper form and not ad- dressed to the discussion of the subject of military justice. but to personal de- fies between the two officers
 Colonel AnselPs second communication primarily devoted to a restatement in positive terms of his objections to the army legal system was. published at the same time as was Secretary Bakers note. The second paragraph of the second An sell communication to which the state- ment today refers, again urged that the department make public the letter in re- ply to General CroWder.