Evening star., 1925-11-01

tie lighting flyer, Col. William
Mitchell, who went on trial before Il
general court martial for alleged yio-
lation of the ninety sixth article of
war The offense With which he Is
charged generally Is that in making
"a statement for publication in news
papers he was guilty of insubordina-
tion and conduct prejudicial TO the
service.
Col. N.tChelrs counsel Immediately
made things interesting on the open
Ing of the court by challenging"
three of its members. According to
military law, Il man tried Ivy court
martial may challenge members Of
The court who he believes are not
qualified to he his judges. The court
los. the services OF Maj. Gen. Charles
Z. Summorall. Maj. Gen. Fred W.
Sladen and Brig. Gen. Albert j..
Bovley through Mitchell's challenge.
Col. Mitcheils next move was to
'seek dismissal of the court on the
ground that it lacked jurisdiction to
try him, saying that he had violated
no law. but had only exercised his
constitutional rights of free speech in
making his criticism of the War and
Navy Departments. The court over
ruled him on this, and Col. Mitchell
rheu Contended that the recognized
JIo'euuGe DlONJueO loi Ncui MAJ liti -
Dad not been complied with. so the
Trial was irregular. This contention
also was dismissed. and the preiim-
inaries over, Col Mitchell pleaded not
guilty to the charges against him.
The real trial Will reopen tomorrow.
Another French cabinet went to
pieces last week on the rocks of
finance.
The cabinet headed by NJ. Pain
leve, as French premier, resigned
last week because its financial plans
failed of approval by the Radical and
Socialist parties, and the government
was faced with a possible failure TO
receive the Endorsement OF a majority
OF Parliament. This is the second
cabinet resignation to take place
within a short time in France, as the
cabinet which resigned was appoint
e,l only last April TO take the place
nf the cabinet headed by Edouard
I!erTiot. which also went down when
Parliament refused to sanction Its
financial policies.
. Notified of the cabinets resignation,
President Doumergue asked Premier
painleve to form another cabinet.
This he did, making himself minister
of finance as we'll as premier. He
succeeds Joseph CaillauX as minister
Of finance, whose policies In that posi-
ton brought about the cabinet
failure. NJ. Cailleaux, 1t will be re-
rnembered, recently came to the
United States as head Of the debt
commission which failed of its chief
aim. that Of agreeing on an arrange
snent to fund the French debt.
Interest In Washington is immedi-
stely concerned with the question of
whether the failure of the old cabinet
and the appointment of the new VIII
IN ary way affect the settlement of
Frances debt to this country While
opinion differs on the subject. 1t is
not believed that there will be any
affect, as the change OF cabinets Is
brought about by conditions in
France alone.
France has q multitude Of troubles
on her hands. A revolt Of natives in
Syria, which appeared as molehlll a
/. week ago, has developed a Slzaple
mountain, especially as a result or
the French bombardment of Damas-
Gus. during which American property
worth several millions OF dollars Is
understood to have been destroyed.
In addition official reports received
by the State Department indicate that
while French residents in Damascus
We're removed to barricaded positions
America rs and other foreigners We're
not notified of the impending lombard
ment. and that while there were,
fortunately, no casualties among the
Americans, there was property
damage, for which France will be
asked 10 pay.
The American Ambassador in Paris,
Mr.. Herrick, has been instructed to
make representations TO the French
government asking for the protection
of American property and life in
Damascus. The American Govern
nent last week sent two deStroyers to
Alexandria, in Egypt, and they are
ready to proceed to Beirut should fur
, ther protection to Americans be asked.
1t IS estimated there were about $50
Americans in Damascus or nearby
during the French bOmbardment.
Emile Daeschner, French Anbassa-
dor TO the United States, will be re-
called and Senator Victor Henry
Berenger will be appointed shortly to
I'LL the vacancy, an Associated Press
correspondent cabled from Paris last
week Some dissatisfaction is under
stood to have been held in France re.
garding Ambassador Daeschner's part
IN the recent negotiation here for the
settlement of the French debt, and
his expected recall will probably be
the outcome.
The League of Nations scored a VIC
tory last week, as far as present signs
sndicate, when it quelled a possible
war in the Balkans between Greece
and Bulgaria and set the wheels in
motion to arbitrate peacefully their
dispute.
The league council. meeting in
Paris Monday. ordered that Greece
withdraw her forces from Bulgarian
territory by s o'clock Thursday morn
Sng. Eight hours before the time set
Greece had complied with the order
and removed her troops from Bulgar-
r!an SOIL.
After four days session in Paris.
enxiously awaiting word as to whether
fts orders would be respected, the
league council adjourned, dedicating
the closing meeting to Woodrow VIII
son, who, in the words of Aristide
BRAND, president of the council, PRO
posed and realized the League Of Ma
tions." Speakers at the closing session
of the council took the opportunity TO
declare that in averting war between
Greece and Bulgaria the league had
been tested and found not wanting.
Greece and Bulgaria were also praised
for their willingness to abide by the
leagues ruling.
A commission from the league is
now investigating the clash between
Greece and Bulgaria, and will submit
its report on the trouble at the next
meeting Of the council.
Speaking at the dedication OF a
statue of Gen. Jose de San Martin.
sometimes referred to as the George
Washington of Argentina" President
Coolidge last week made plea for the
arbitra zion of all disputes and praised
the Latin American countries for the
spirit Of adjudication they have shown
in settling their boundary disputes.