The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-03-06
COURT MART|ALED
MAN STARTS SCANDAL
FORMER NEWSPAPER MAN CON-
VICTED BY COURT MARTIAL,
MAKES CHARGES

That the sensational charges that
American soldiers wer being mistreat-
| ed, abused and were dying by thou
sands because of unsanitary condi-
tions at Brest, France, where they de-
barked on arrival and embarked on
departure from France, were started
by former newspaper man of New
York who was tried and convicted by
court martial is the announcement of
General Pershing and the war depart
ment. In revenge for being disgraced
the man, Alfred w. Birdsall, is said to
have vowed vengeance and immediate
ly upon his return started a campaign
of charges that have wrung the
hearts of American mothers who
were made to believe the war depart
ment was neglecting the welfare of
their sons. Cartoons showing the
grave yard at Brest where it was said
thousands of American Soldiers are
buried because of neglect and unsan-
itary conditions" were made and sent
out for free use by newspapers that
would use them. General Pershing's
report and the statement of the war
department follow:
WASHINGTON-A cablegram from
General Pershing made public Tues
day at the war department, charges |
that a campaign of criticism against |
the handling of the embarkation camp |
at Brest, France, grew out of the trial |
by courtmartial of Major Alfred w.
Birdsall, formerly of the New York |
Evening Telegram.
The message said the violent
attacks" upon the Brest
camp began about the time Major
Birdsall returned to the United
States, after having been reprimand-
ed, reduced in grade and fined for
striking an enlisted man. 1t added
that Major Birdsall threatened bel I
lore he left that he "would get some
)ne at Brest."
Told in Detail.
General Pershing's message fol-
ows:
Preference P. 2155 Ca cabled in 4
yuiry from the Department. reference
criticisms against port of Brest, fol-
owing information received from In
diligence office at port:
"s(a). September, 1918, Major AL
red w. Birdsall, formerly of the New
FORK Evening Telegram and former
provost marshal of Brest, convicted
w general courtmartial of various
ffenses. t
"s(b). December, 1918, Major Bird
all ordered to Brest in connection :
With investigation of certain sup
,osed Irregularities. .
"s(c). January 4, 1919, Major :
,irdsall sails for United States after I
aving made threats that he would G
ct some one in Brest."
"t(d). February 1, 1919, (about) q
-iolent newspaper attacks begin I
The war department made public at r
he same time the courtmartial /
ecord in Major Birdsall's case. He c
yas charged with violation OF the
9Th article of war, the general ar
Gle covering conduct unbecomlng S
n officer. There we're three spec1- n
cations charging that in June, 1918,
[aior Birdsabl struck Corporal Harry
7 CIarens III an infantry head
uarters conrSany in the face with a
is hand; cursed Clarens, who was
ION a prisoner in confinement, and t
rdered him placed in irons in VIOLA A
on of army regulations. s.
Found Guilty. tN
Major BirdsalI was found guilty on
| specifications and sentenced to be
reduced to the foot OF
q list of majors of the quarter
aster corps for the period OF one se
ar and fined $500. IA
In reviewing the case the reviewing al