Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-20


fenced him to suspension Of rank,
command and duty, with forfeiture OF
all pay and allowances for Il period
Of five years, and adjourned sine die
late Thursday evening. The sentence,
which is Yet to be approved by Presi-
dent Coolidge, was unexpected. Re
duction in rank or possible dismissal
from the service had been forecast.
Now the question remaining is
whether Col. Mitchell will accept the
oblivion into which the sentence has
sent him or again break Army regu-
btions by continuing his attack on
his SuperiorS in both services. Two
courses are open to Col. Mitchell. but
the Army must eventually indorse
his choice. Al the end of three years
he may retire from the Army. having
completed the necessary service Tor
retirement, or he may resign, as the
law permits Army officers TO do in
time of peace. He may neither retire
nor resign. however, as long as he Is
undergoing punishment, so that some
special action by his superiors would
be necessary.
Col. Mitchell has declined to com
ment on the sentence, taking the
view that it would be out of place
before the President has approved it.
Fis chief counsel. however. Repre-
sentative Frank X. Reid of Missouri,
commented at some length. issuing a
statement to the effect that the trial
was the latest attempt by the Army
general staff to get" Mitchell, and
that he will continue TO fight TO
the end
While Col. Mitchell goes into tenn
porary retirement, his battle prob
ably will be fought out on the floors
IF Congress. where aviation is already
becoming "A popular subject for de
bate, comment and report. The first
move in this direction came the day
after the sentence was made public,
when Representative La Guardia of
New York introduced a bill designed
to curb the authority of courts-mar-
tial in trials for violation of the ninty-
sixth article of war. Under this bill 30
days suspension from the Army
would he the maximum penalty which
could be incurred for violating the
article.
The press of the country, editorially,
in general commends the action of
the court martial i'll upholding the
necessary discipline of the Army.
Before packed galleries, with women
predonlinating, the Senate began last
week its consideration of the pro-
posal that the United States shall adj
here to the World Court. Debate got
under way Thursday, when Senator
Swanson of Virginia, author of the
resolution to rarify the World Court
protocol with the Harding Hughes
Coolidge reservations. delivered a
four-hour address, emphasizing that
the World Court is independent OF
the League of Nations, and stressed
it's Importance as an international
agency to avert war. Senator Swan
son was followed in debate by Sena-
tors Leuroot of Wisconsin and Walsh
of Montana, who spoke in favor OF
ratification, and Borah OF Idaho. The
last named, chairman of the foreign
relations committee OF the Senate, Is
the leader of the forces opposing
ratification.
While there is little doubt that the
World Court resolution will be passed
by the Senate, the small but well or
ganized opposition TO the measure eN-
poets 10 stave off Il Vote for some
time to come. With the rules OF UNI
limited debate in their favor, together
with the fact that the House Will be
pushing along the important tax bill
for the Senate's consideration, as we'll
as other important legislation. it is
evident that the opposition Will sue
coed in postponinS the vote.
The policy TO which this country is
committed as regards foreign reia-
lions is full cooperation with Euro
pean powers for all legitimate pur-
poses, but strict avoidance of Ell
ropean politics. This Secretary OF
State Kellogg declared last week at
a dinner given in his honor in New
York by the Council on Foreign Re
iations Secretary Kellogg outlined
the policies OF his department and de-
Tended it against recent criticism,
especially as it concerned foreign
debts and loans and exclusion from
the United States of all foreigners,
whether prince or peasant, who seek
70 preach radical doctrines.
The inability OF The French 10 agree
on any plan for financial recovery
and the inability OF any cabinet or
finance minister so far to draft plan
which even appeared hopeful of adop-
ton brings to the forefront again the
lalll which gains momentum daily
he speculation over whether the
present French Government system
can survive--and the belief, expressed
IN some quarters, that France must
surrender to a dictatorship under the
Guidance of some all-powertu! man 20
Load her from the wilderness.
The past week Witnessed another
.hange OF personnel III what has come
. be u long list of men seeking 20
find a way of putting France on her
feet Louis Loucheur, put forward
ONLY Il few days ago as minister or
finance under Premier Brands cahi-
net, met defeat when his proposals
for financial reha biiitatlon failed TO
meet the approval of the Chamber Of
deputies, and he was forced to get
out. The prime minister then APP
rointed Senator Paul Doumer to this
difficult post, and The world sits back
and waits to see the outcome.
NJ. Doumer is described as a solid,
sober personality who inspires conf
dence among most of the parties in
he Chamber of Deputies. He is
known to be averse 10 the many COM
plicated and sometimes visionary
Snhemes which have been advanced
lately and believes that the answer
to Frances troubles is simply-in-
creased taxation
EVERYWHERE observers of the
French situation are quoted TO the Ell
feet that France must suffer by in
creasing her taxes If she would
emerge from the morass which has
held her since the war. But until
she does decide to suffer and submit
- high taxation, as other countries
have, she will stick behind and sue
Cun-b to a fate as Vet unknown.
The invitation to the United States
70 take part in the proceedings of the
committee of the League of Nations
10 make plans for disarmament
question has been received and made
public in Washington. 1t disclosed
nat the subjects to be discussed in
cIude all related phases of air. land
a nd sea ornaments. The invitation
expressed the hope that 1T viii be
? bie to count on the full and direct |
ion of the limited States for |