New-York tribune., 1919-07-22
Senator Chamberlain Offers
Bill to Free Fighters of
All Convictions Less Than
Felonies During the War
Clemency Board Attacked
AnselI, Who Quit Army to
FIGHT Present Methods, Is
Thought Co-Author of Act

WASHINGTON, July 21.-A proposal
to chalt off all sentences imposed upon
American lighters by courts martial
during the war, except for crimes that
would be tried as felonies in civil
courts, was submitted to the Senate to-
cay ir bill introduced by Senator
Chaml erlafn, Democrat, of Oregon.
The provision ana purpose of the
bill, IS outlined by Senator Chamber
lain, Ire:
"Fiist-It restores to the service
soldiers, sailors and marines who have
been sentenced by courts martial for
conv ctons not felonies, and discharges
them automatically upon their own
application, as though they had not
been convicted.
"Second-It restores to these men
the rights of citizenship as though
they had not been convicted
"Thrd-It refunds pay and allow
ances forfeited upon conviction.
"Fourth-lt provides for a board Of
clemency and review. consisting of
three persons versed in the lava who
shall have power and jurisdiction to
review, revise, modify, reverse, or
aanul sentences imposed by courts
martial, since April 6, 1917, in case of
Crimes involving felonies.
"Fifth-The measure applies equally
10 all engaged in the military or naval
service and who were subject to cour,
martial"
Bill Framed by Ansell
Colonel Samuel 7. Ansell, formerly
Acting Advocate General, assisted SEN
ct 10 he, .1aiD IN ha rot ion
of his bill and supplied much of the
material upon which it is based.
The bill calls for proclamation by
the President, Immediately after he
sfhxes his signature to the act, restor
ing all soldiers, sailors and marines
convicted on all charges other than
felonies during the war to the colors
end to duty. Thereafter. they are to
be hororab!y discharged upon their
own application, and all the rights OF
citizenship, of which they have been
deprived, res stored.
The clemency hoard provided by the
till to pass on felony cases is TO be
made up of one civilian, one army Off
Ger and one navy officer to be appointed
ty the President. Three million dollars
is appropriated.
Chamberlain Explains Bill
II am advised" said Senator Cham
berlain, "that the total OF the sentences
imposed by courts martial during the
world war upon American soldiers
was about $4,000 years. A clemency
board has been appointed by the Sec
Ietary of War without any real author-
ity except to make recommendations
for reduction of sentences. This board
tas recommended a reduction of SEN
tences which brings the total down to
tbout 500 years that American SOL
diers must serve in prison.
"The stigma of conviction is not re-
moved by action of the clemency board
and under the construction placed upon
the law by the Secretary of War and
some of his military advisers there is
practically no revisory power over
these sentences where the courts mar
tial had jurisdiction and the proceed
ings have been regular
THE stories that are coming to me
many of them being verified, of out
RACES committed against young mel
through the instrumentality of court.
martial are so horrible that some legs
lation ought to be acted upon prompt,
to obtain relief.
Calls Vcrdicts Too Severe
"The fact that already the clemenc
board has reduced the sentences j,
the aggregate from $4,000 years to G.
700 years is proof the sentences wer
out OF all proportion to the crime
committed.
ut will have 10 run counter to
strong military machine, but | believ
the American people, when the fact
are presented, will appeal to Congress
to pass a measure which will remov
the injustices which have been com
mitted by courts martial, and the NOR
terrible things that are being perpe
trated while men are serving their sen
tences in France and possibly in som
cases in this countryo'