New-York tribune., 1919-04-22
Ills Bar Association Com
nifsee Its Methods Pre-.
clude Full Report on
Military Trial System
vs. He Has Been Ignored
VS. He Should Have Been
Called and Given Oppor-
sunity TO Bring Witnesses
Neu York Tribune
IFQ.shirotou Bureau

~ QSNbnGlOn bureau
WASHINGTON. April 21.-What
iounted TO sweeping arraignment
Lieutenant Colonel Samuel r. An
Il, of the handling of the investiga-
IN Of the court martial system in
army by the special committee of
american Bar Association, resulted
much acrimony at the committees
ssion to-day
Judge S. s. Gregory. chairman of the
mmittee, interrupted Colonel Ansell
me after time in the midst Of his
aiding OF a prepared statement at
king the committee, to deny Colonel
SELLS attacks.
You have a peculiar attitude of
,picion," said Judge Gregory, "and
! do not seem 10 have the capacity,
ich an older man would have of
tting yourself in the other fellows
ice. You have narrowness of
w in approaching this whole ques-
n, rather than the breadth of vision
itch You should take."
lnterruptins a little later, just after
lionel Ansell had commented sarcas-
tally on the calling of all tho ex-
jcretarics of War Judge Gregory told
~ he WAS mistaken, that the COM
Attee had merely notified the former
iSeretaries 1T would be glad to hear
pm them # they had any suggestions.
matter of. fact, he said. he had not
ard from any one Of them. and did
now expect any Of them to testify.
Promises Somc New Facts
olonol Ansel insisted that he was
ing to give the committee some new
It's, although you are we'll in
smed"
AT late date in your hearings"
olonel Ansell said, "you have asked
G to appear before you. I do so
illingly and with pleasure, even ex-
'essing regret that you have not seen
to cali me sooner.
You yourselves, so far as I am
are, have never defined the subject
are to Investigate or framed the
sue you are to answer The logic
the situation, as we'll as public
lnlon, 1t seems to me, has defined
for you. There are those who hold
G view and have said that the existing
Fstem Of military justice is archaic,
l-American, oppressive and leads to
s1ch injustice as to require immediate
ana radical reformation. Such is nv
slf of 1t and l perhaps am regarded,
uhlic opinion at least, as the most
ounced exponent.
IN The OF her side arc fhoSa in \ ;c-b
G. military authority who strongly
defend the system and who have en-
deavored by the use of the organized
power Of government and otherwise to
have the people believe that this sys-
tenn IS modern, liberal. has not resulted
in Injustice and is worthy of popular
esteem and confidence.
Is Conflict of Principles
Such, should suppose, is the state
nent OF the issue. 1t involves no per
sonalities in any such sense as woulc
Justify you in avoiding them or the
issue. 1t involves persons only in the
tense that conflicting principles at
tempted to be established in govern
ment must involve those who respec
lively support and advocate them. Ane
the merit Of contending principles can
not best be understood by avoiding
hearing either set OF supporters.
you took up the investigation O
4he system Of military justice doubt
less by reason and in the light OF tn,
criticisms | had made Of it. 1t woul,
seem natural, logical, in accord Wit
Che usual methods of legal investiga
tion, as we'll as the only method o
getting at the truth, for you, at tn
outset, TO have offered me the fulles
and fairest opportunity to present I
sou my specific criticisms, my evi
dence OF the deficiencies Of the exist
ing systems and my views Of tn
proper remedies, and I should hav
IS been given reasonable opportunity t
have you hear at least those person
who shared with me the burdens o
the actual administration of the offic
Of Judge Advocate General for tn
greater part Of this war And ther