New-York tribune., 1919-04-06
Amendments to Present
Procedure To Be Submit
ted When Congress Re-
convenes, He Declares
Foreign Systems Studied
Bar Association Also Was
Consulted; Champions of
Ansell Claim Nindication
Ne,g York Tribune
WnshinQton Bureau

Washington 0urcch
WASHINGTON, April 5.-A culmi-
mating and unexpected contribution to
the Baker-Ansell-C Chamberlain contro-
versy was Secretary Bakers announce
ment to-day that the War Department
viii reform the code of military JUS
tice. A programme of revision, he
said. was being drawn up and would be
presented for inclusion in the future
military code when Congress reassem
s.es.
gn addition to the reports and rec
concentrations of special agents as
signed to study the British and French
systems of army legal proceedings,
Secre tary Baker announced he person
ally would devote time en- route to
Europe and while on the other side to
study of the existing system and the
recommendations made to him.
The suggestions to be made by the
War Department will be based on an
inquiry by Brgadier General E. A.
Kreger, acting judge advocate general,
and a board of officers of the judge
advocate generals department, and the
opinion of civil lawyers of the Amerl-
can Bar Association committee, rein
forced by some recommendation to be
made by Judge Advocate General Enoch
H. Crowder and study of the French
and British systems by the Secretary
and Colonial William c. Rigby.
vindication of Ansell Seen
The admission by Secretary Baker
that the present administration of mil
itary justice is imperfect was taken
by friends of Lieutenant Colonel Sam
uel T. Ansell as complete vindication
of that officers criticism and suggest
ed reforms. In some quarters also
the expressed desire of Secretary
Baker to amend the present system
was intrpreted as a move to head off
any Congressional investigation that
criticism by Senator Chamberlain,
chairman of the Senate Military Al
fairs Committee, and Repre- sentatives
Gould, of New York, and johnson, Of
South Dakota, of the House, who have
been among the severe critics of what
they termed the military injustice"
of the present system.
In announcing his intention to de-
vote considerable time en- route to
Europe and while abroad tc a consid-
Grafton of reforms of the present mill
tary code Secretary Baker said:
General Crowder has made a
number of recommendations for
notifications in court martial regu-
lations which have grown up in his
mind. General Kreger is studying
these recommendations with board
Of officers, and I myself have gone
over some Of them and approved the
principles Of some Of the recon-
mendations.
Takes Data on Trip
'In addition to this, am taking a
copy Of the articles Of war and
court martial regulations abroad
with me. 50 I can devote as much
time as possible on the boat TO that
general subject, and when | am in
Europe I am going TO make some in
tens, and Colonel Rigby is being
sent abroad TO make a particular
study Of the French and British sys-
TENS 50 we can have all the light we
can get from that side.
1 nope TO be able TO get together
tne pest body OF opinion I can, from
ciVll lawyers, American Bar Associa-
Iloh committee, from Judge advo-
caIes and those who have had ex-
perlence IN the administration Of
military justice and from officers who
nave commanded IN the field and
nave had military experience in deal
ing with the subject, so that from
al points Of view am trying to get
every suggestion possible for analy-
SIS OF our military code MANY Of
the criticisms which have been made
nave been very helpful, and 50 far
as L know | have taken ADVANTAGE Of
eacn criticism. have sought 10 test
eaca criticism 70 find out whether il
4e4.c ~ltc mere breakdown of the
human element or whether the regu-
ia1Ion WITH which it concerned itself
needed changing.
nope that by the time Congress
feassembles TO have constructive
suggestions to make TO them about
tne substance Of the military code
ana about the procedure, and with
oGt waiting for Congressional action.
Wherever II seems that regulations
nsed improvement, | am authorizing
lnose regulations to be changed