New-York tribune., 1919-03-05
PersI'i,lg Ayers
Spite Caused
Brcst Attack
Major Birdsall Threatened
TO "Cc. Even" for Court
Martial, lie Says in Gable
Once on N. Y. Telegram
Managing Editor Summers
Declares Man Accused
Was With ''N. Y. Herald"

WASHINGTON, March L. A cable
gram from General Pershing made pub
lie to-day at the War Department
charges that a campaign of criticism
against the handling of the cmbarka-
ton camp at Brest, France. grew out
of the trial by court martial of Major
Alfred W. Birdsall, formerly of "Tho
New York Evening Telegram
The message said the "violent news
paper attacks" upon the Brest camp
began about the time Major Birdsall re
turned to the United States after hay
ing been reprimanded, reduced in grade
and fined for striking an enlisted man.
II added that Major Birdsal threat
ened before he left that he "would get
some one at Brest'
Pershing Sends Cable
General Pcrshing's message fol
lows
reference p 2t55 (a cablcd in
ouiry from the department). refer
rnce criticisms against port Of
Brest, following information re
caived from intelligence officer at
port:
"'(A Septcmber 1918. Major AL
fred W. Brdsall, formerly Of "The
New York Evening Telegram" and
former provost marshal Of Hteai.
convicted by general court martial
bf various offences.
"'lH December, 1919. Major bird
hal ordered tu nfest IN connection
with invest CATION Of certain sup
posed irregularities,
"'(ci January 4, 1919. Major bird
sail sails United States after having
made threats that he "wouid got
some one in firesi"
"'tpl February |, 1919 (aboub,
violent newspaper attacks begin
The War Department IA hde public
ht the same time the court martinl
record ia Mpjor Birdsnll's cnso. lle
was charged with violation of the 96tn
article of war, covering conduct uE-
tecom nE an officer. There were three
specifications charging tLat in June,
1918, Major Brdsall struck Corporal
Harry W. Clarens Of an infantry head
quarters company in the face with his
hand; cursed Clarcns, who was then
q prisoner in continement and ordered
him placed in irons ~ violation Of
krmy regulations.
Guilty on All Counts
Major Birdsall was found guilty on
All specifications and sentenced to he
reprimandcd. reduced to the foot Of
the list Of majors of the qLartcrmas-
ter corps for the period o. one year
and fred 5000.
In reviewing the case the reviewing
officer reported the sentence "totAlly
dsproportionate TO the gravity of the
offence committed by this officer" but
ndded that in order that the officer
should not escape punishment, chow
ever Inadequate" the sentence was
approved.
Records at the War Department
show that Major Birdsall vas in the
service at last reports and was sta
toned at Garden City. Long Island.
s. II. Summers, managing editor of
"The Evening Telegram" said last
night there was no foundation for Cen
eral Pershing's charge that that papers
attacks on conditions at the Brest en-
barkation camp had been inspired by
Major Alfred w Birdsall. Mr.. Sum
rners also said Major Birdsall was not
and had never been an Evening Tele-
gram employe, but before joining the
army in September, 1917, was head of
the stereotype room of "The Herald"
~ have not seen Major Birdsal for
several weeks. and do not know where
ne now is" Mr.. Summers added, an
swering a question.
Major Birdsall is said TO have come
here from Chicago and to have been
employed by r. Hoe & Co., printing
press manufacturers, for a short time
before he went TO The Herald" 1t
was said last night that he had re-
turned to Chicago.