Arizona republican., 1919-03-10

WASHINGTON. March 9.-Differ- cnces between Major General Enoch II. Crowder judge advocate general. and Brigadier General Samuel r. Anseu, former acting judge advocate general were explained, and the ordering or u thorough investigation by the inspec- tor-general of the army into the whole subject Of the administration of mili- tary justice during the war, was dis closed in letter from General Crowder to Secretary Baker, made public today at the war department.
 Accompanying General CrOwder's letter was one from Mir. Baker asking the judge advocate general for com plete statement as to the operation of military justice. The secretary wrote that his own acquaintance with the facts convinced him that the cOndi- tiOns implied by recent complaints do not exist and had not existed" but that "it was essential that the families of all those young men who had a place in our magnificent army should be re- assured
 tp reply General Crowder made general defense against recent criu cisms in congress and elsewhere, con corning court martial cases, and charged that General Ansell. without his knowledge and consent. had sub- mitted a brief Co Secretary Baker. early in the war, urging revision in the military justice system.
 crowder Bames Ansell
 General Crowder also said that about the same time that this brief was sub mitted, General Ansell without con- sulting the secretary of war. obtained an order from the chief oi staff. dp- pointing Ansell acting judge advocate general This was after General An sell had requested General Crowder's s aid in getting such an order and had been told by the latter to take mp the matter with Mir. Baker The order was revoked by Secretary Baker before il was published, after General Crowder had called it 10 NIT. Bakers attention.
 The judge advocate general said the supposed controversy between him. self and General Ansell as to military justice had been magnifed since the real issues and the only ones were in differences of opinion. as to whether the power to review and overturn exc Cuted verdicts of general courts martial existed and whether that power should be exercised by the judge advocate general or the president
 Turning Co criticisms that the sen
 
 have been atrociously severe. General Crowder wrote that this was not a criticism of the system of military ius- tice and not a criticism Of his adminis- .,ration of that system.
 Object to Death Sentences 'lt is @ criticism he said ''Of the Ot- ticers who imposed for Instance. sen tences Of death for senLnels convicted of sleeping on post. for soldiers wilmlly and cOntumaciously refusing Co obey the direct orders of their commanding officers. and for desertion in time of war and it is criticism of the con gress which authorized a death penalty in plain statutory terms Co be assessed on convictions for these offenses. do not mean 10 say that. if criticism iI the connection is due, I am immune. a. not. [ agreed with the state ana shall defend it. but I am not respon sihle for it.
 Considering the situation from th, standpoint of the officers who assesse, the sentences. let us see who they are They are men taken ll a general drag net throughout this nation. They COm' from every walk of life. There arr goo, 1000 of them. They comprise faith ful cross section of our whole people and our national life.
 What is this charge or severity b. them? We have seen that it canno be an indictment Of the system. It i simply a difference of opinion of wei meaning and human critics. far re moved from the scenes of the offense punished, and with only partisan inadequate and highly colored state ment of that case to guide them. am the opinions Of men who considered tn facts under the solemn obligation O an oath to be honest. impartial am fair. who lived in the environment O the offense and were steeped in tn reasons making it grave, and who as sessed the sentence on the performance of the highest civic duty of man-th defense of home and country.
 No one Executed.
 These men cannot merit the indict ment and diatribe that has been heape, on their action. To us at home in com fort and perfect peace. it is next t
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