Evening star., 1925-11-27
MITCHELL PARTLY SUSTAINED
BY ARMY'S FIRST WITNESS
Allegation That Hawaiian Maneuvers Were Marred
by Lack of Cohesion Right, Gen. Eltinge
Testifes on Stand.

court what war plan is. but Mai.
Wfiby insisted that the question be
answered, because the defense has
said there were no war plans In
Hawaii"
Col. Winship then let the question
he answered and ne witness gave the
following definition:
"A war plan embodies four things:
First, an estimate of the possible
means that might be brought against
the United States; second, estimate
of the means that might be required
to meet such an attack: third, outline
of method by which necessary means
would be established for the defense.
a ssembled and turned over to the vari-
GUS units. and, fourth, schedule of
routes and times of movement OF the
material and personnel
Explains Plans Differences.
State the difference between A
war plan and plan of tactical op-
Grafton"
"A tactical plan is used for en-
ployment against an enemy after his
strength and condition have been de-
termined." replied the witness.
rs 1t customary TO have tactical
plans on hand in time Of peace?"
Mr. Reid objected to Maj. Wilby
witness was put on the stand to dis
cuss war plans. The question was
wrong in form and substance, he
contended Col Winship overruled
the objection and the witness replied
1T was not customary to have tao
tical plans on hand in time of peace.
What is a major army project?'
Again Mr.. Reid objected, but Col.
Winship thought the witness was
qualified to discuss this. Maj. Wilby
said the purpose Of the question was
to show later why all Army projects
have not been carried out by the
War Department.
Objection Overruied.
Wen be glad to stipulate that,
said Mr.. Reid, but Maj. Wiiby thought
that was not the point OF the matter.
MIR. ReidS objection was oVerruled
and there followed a protest against
the decision and a mild argument
among the prosecution. the law mem
ber and the defense. In the end Mr..
Reid withdrew his objection. and the
question was answered by the wit
ness, as follows:
"A ma jor Army project is an
estimate of means required to carry
out a national defense act"
When Mai Wilby endeavored to
have the witness state how many
Army projects existed MIR. Reld OBJ
jected and the question finally was
not answered. Then the witness was
asked what were the duties of the
general staff and again Mr.. Reid OBJ
jected on the grounds that official
documents were the best evidence of
the official duties. Col. Winship al
lowed the witness TO answer SO tar
as his duties with the general stan
were concerned and Gen. Eltinge an
nounced that he was allotted certain
projects outlined in various docu-
ments. Mr. Reid protested this an
swer, declaring that the documents
should be introduced. and the law
member of the court expressed the
opinion that Mr. Reid probably was
correct.
Counsel i'm Wrangle.
There ensued a wrangle, during
which Col Moreland broke in with
the assertion that II what Mr.. Reid
said held true it would be necessary
TO bring a horse into court when
blacksmith was testifying about
shoeing horse. Maj. Gullion also
joined in with the remark that
apparently Mr.. Reid was entering a
field with which he was not familiar
and said it was regrettable that
Mitchell's chief counsel didn't con-
fer with his eminent military coun-
sci, Col. Herbert A. White.
The question finally ended with
permission of the court for the wit
ness to state what he did while
member of the general staff. with a
cautioning against going too far in
such matters.
did you have charge of the de-
fense project for the Hawaiian
Islands?" asked Maj. Wilby.
Yes" replied the witness.
Did you have anything to do with
the preparation of the defense plan
for the Hawaiian islands," inquired
the prosecutor.
Reid Again Objects.
Replying in the negative. Maj.
Wilby then asked the difference be-
tween a defense project and defense
plan. An objection by defense coun-
sci was overruled by the court, and
Gen. Eltinge explained that the de-
fense project provided means for car
rying out a defense act while a de-
fense plan was a local provision for
carrying out phases of the project of
local concern.
At this point Maj. Wilby announced
that he wished to show the court a
secret uOcUlileIl WHICH lie ucCldI cu
was the defense project for the Ha-
waifan Islands. AS the custodian Of
records gathered up a foot-high stack
Of typewriter sheets Mr.. Reed pro-
tested against this move unless he
was permitted to see the document
and learn it's date, contending that
otherwise 1t was merely bundle of
papers"
Maj wilby started to have the wit
ness identify the document and state
its date, but Mr.. Reid continued to
object when Gen. Eltinge admitted
having seen this document previously,
but expressed uncertainty as to it's
date.
Il object to the witness testifying
about anything which is uncertain.
He should testify to something he
knows to be a fact. 1 can find the
date myself if you let me look at the
papers," shouted Mr.. Reid.
Col. Winship then ordered the mass
of papers turned over to the defense
for examination, and the court went
into informal recess for about Is min
utes while Mr.. Reid. Col. White, Col.
Mitchell and other defense assistants
divided up the papers and scrutinized
them.
Plans for Oahu.
When the court assembled Mr.. Reid
announced that IAN inspection of this
bundle of papers discloses they are
not war plans for the Hawaiian
Islands, but defense plans for the
Island Of Oahu. I think the prosecu-
ton will admit that"
Mai Wilby reDlied tho titIo IN tbo