The sun., 1919-03-12
CITES ARMY ORDERS
TO COMPUTE BAKER
Representative Gould Says
War Secretary Misstated
Ansell Case Status.
special Despatch 10 THE suN

| special Despatch TO Tbs sU>
| WAsHlNGroN, March 1i.--Representa =
| tive Gould New York; made another
contribution TO correspondence on the
Ansell case to-day by pinning two al
legged misstatements OF Iact upon Secre-
tary of War Baker in letter which
hristled with criticism. The letter fol-
lows:
DEAR Nh. sEcRkrARY-Reply TO your
letter OF March 6 has been delayed
because the statements contained, therein
| appeared TO me so widely at variance
with certain facts that felt bound TO
confirm my recollection before replying.
The utter lack of franlSncos. to put II as
kindly as possible, which characterizes
your letter is only less remarkable than
the entire Ansell case.
You state In your letter that pendir 2
the return OF Judge Acknowledgement
Crowder from Ohio:
Gen Kreger. senior to Gen. Ansell
In the Judge Advocate Generals Corps,
has been directed TO return from Europe
| and be designated as Acl'ng Judge Ad-
lvocate-General'
Ansell Appointed in 1917.
You continue: Gen. Ansell will con-
tinue in charge of the work OF reviewing
the court martial records OF cases aris-
recommending reduction OF sentences
and such other notifications by way OF
clemency as seem appropriate
THE records of the War Department
show that Samuel T Ansell was APP
pointed as Brigadier-General IN the
Judge Advocate Generals Department
by the President to rank as such from
the NTH day OF August 1917
The came records show that Edward
A Un Ri
General in the Judge Advocate Generals
Department by the President TO rank
as such from the 18th day OF February,
1918
by the records OF YOUR department
therefore, Gen. Ansell was senior to Gen.
Kreger by six months and thirteen days
at the time OF the formers reduction TO
bis Regular Army rank OF Lieutenant
Colonel To urge that Gen. Kreger had
served longer in the Judge Advocate Cen
erals Department prior to the war
would be begging the question. II length
OF service were to be the determir ing
factor in promotion and reduction why
was not Gen. Kreger given his tenn
porary rank before Gen. Ansen? And
can you ray that the law Of seniority
has been similarly applied in all cases
where reduction Of temporary rank was
involved?
Army Orders Are Quoted.
las to your second statement that
General not Lieut.. Col. Ansell will con
ttnue in charge Of the work of review
ing &c, I call your attention to office
order No. 80 Judge Advocate Generals
Department dated March 8, 1918 which
reads:
81. Col. Easily Smith. !. A. is hereby
appointed member OF the board ere
sd -
uary rs. 1919, vice Col. John II. Wig
more, hereby relieved
'Office order No. is referred 10 above
creates the so-called clemency board in
the following language:
I'm order to comply with the direc-
tions OF the Secretary 81 War for a re-
view of sentences imposed for offences
committed during the war period with
view not only to equalizing punish
ment but 10 adjust that punishment 10
present disciplinary requirements,
board to consist OF 90 Brlg.-Gen Sam
uel T. Ansell, Judge Advocate Generals
Department, CD Col John II. Wigmore.
Judge Advocate, (3) Major Stevens Heck
sdher. Judge Advocate is appointed to
undertake the work outlined by the Sec
rotary OF War and the submission OF
recommendation for clemency In order
to accomplish the equalizlng OF punish
ments and the adjustment OF penalties
to tho present disciplinary requirements
desired b. him
Asks for Explanation
How, Mr.. Secretary, can YOU recon-
cile your statement that Gen. AnselI will
continue in charge OF the work OF re-
Viewing the courts martial records
with the fact that the day before you
wrote this statement an officer had been
appointed to that board who ranked
Lieut-Ccl Ansell by a full grade end
who under army regulations must be
responsible for and in charge OF the
work of that board?
From the facts involved and from
the general tenor and tone OF your let
tiers on the subject ] am unable to esca pc
the conclusion that the War Department
has deliberately and ruthlessly adopted
this method OF Furnishing a public spir-
tied and efficient officer whose sole Of
fence was against a powerful and self
centred clique In your department in
that he answered a summons which he
could not decline and told the Congress
OF the United States the truth about a
matter which II was clearly the duty OF
Congress 10 inquire into.
I'm fulfilling his clear duty under his
the United States Army Gen Ansell
made enemies who feel themselves pow
erful enough TO faunt Congress in
avenging their personal and official
pride. Yours truly, y, j. GOULD"