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

ICAilCAAibCl ALAS eoAAAo " ~ s~~O 49,
referring to plane resemblance, and
his plan opposed duplicating activities
of the Navy. :, I cited a pamphlet on
joint Army and Navy action in coast
defense and pointed out the Navy's
duty. and he replied to the effect the
Navy was no good and it wouldn't
do 1t in time OF need. and we would
have to do it anyway"
Mai McNair said there was no es
sential point IN the report which could
be accepted that was not already in
contemplation or. fully recognized ir
the plans for defense OF the island.
Denies Always Charge.
Another charge by Col. Mitchell that
there were no airways between the
islands In 1923 was answered by Maj
McNair, who said that a system was
In process of development at that
time.
Col. Mitchell's reference to the fac,
that flights could be made every day
in the year was challenged by the
witness. who declared If he had
seen some Of the storms we have
he would have qualified that state
ment. While he was there elaborate
arrangements were made for him &c
fly TO the Island of Hawaii. When
the time came to go he did not fly
for some reason and the plane was
taken to Hawaii by boat. 1t was
used bv him there and returned by
boat
The witness explained the plans for
the island constantly arc being re-
vised and rewritten, and at the time
of Col. Mitchell's visit they were un'
dergoing a change in accordance with
instructions from the War Depart
ment. Maj. McNair added the accused
did not see the plans, explaining II
he had he would have been aware of
II.
Documents offered.
Up-to-date basic projects for the
defense OF Oahu. approved by the
War Department In August, 1924
were offered In evidence. These and
other documents relating to the de-
tense question were held strictly con
fidential and no inkling of their con-
tents was given the court. Repre-
sentative Frank r. Reid, chief defense
counsel. objected to their admission
on the ground they were made after
Col. Mitchell's visit. Maj. Wildly re-
piled they were in answer to the
charge of almost reasonable ad-
ministration" by the War Depart
iiiCil. -ii. ANSio SAASIi ooto. - Roii Siio
understanding we will be very glad
to have them in"
Maj. McNair was preceded on the
stand by Maj. Gen. 0. G, Williams
chief of ordnance, who clarified the
charge of the defense that no heavy
bombing practice has been carried on
for the past two years. Gen. VIII
Hams said the reason for this was
expense and shortage Of the ammu-
milton. 1t finally was agreed to use
smaller bombs for target practice
The 2,000-pound bombs and the type
about half that size cost 50 cents a
pound. he explained. Antiaircraft Are
in his opinion, was "a good means OF
protection against aircraft. applica-
BILE only to bombing planes"
Admits Statement.
ment made during the first battle.
ship bombing tests that the bomb
that sank the Ostsfriesland will be
heard around the world
Capt. John T. Lewis Of Fort Tot.
ten. y. Y, who commanded the search
light batteries In the 9Th Aircraft
tests at Camp Dix, \. j., last Summer
testified today in direct contradiction
to contentious of the defense that air
planes were able to glide into a re
stricted area at the camp without be
ing detected by searchliEhts. Capt
Lewis declared that not one plane
got into the area set aside for the
tests without first being detected by
the searchlights.
The object Of the tests, he said, was
to have the planes locate this area
and drop bombs In the form of flares
without being detected either by the
lights or by listening devices. De
Tense witnesses had testified the
big bombers shut Off their motors,
glided into the area unseen and I'M
heard and dropped their flares.
Capt. Lewis declared not one fare
was dropped In the defended area be-
fore the planes were picked up by
the beams. Those bombs or flares
that were dropped, he declared, were
out Of the defended area. and meant
nothing.
: Two reports had been submitted OF
these tests, one from an Air Service
observer and the other from the senior
umpire The witness thought the wide
Discrepancy was due to the fact tha'
when the pilot saw a light on thu
ground he Immediately released hi:
iare.~while those on the ground gave
credit to the searchlight for picking
up the plane as soon as it got into
the defended area. He emphasized
that all the flares were dropped GU
of the area in question.
Trial End Seen Soon.
next week. it was confidently predict
ed today by both the prosecution ane
the defense.
Only four or five more witnesses re
main to be called by the prosecution
il rebuttal, and, although the accused
has been given the privilege by the
court OF having a final answer in the
form Of witnesses, not more than one
will be called. The defense feels thai
OF all the witnesses who have ap
peared from the War and Navy De
partments for the prosecution. the
testimony of one alone needs answer
ing. This is understood to be that Of
Capt. Howard G. Rath. Air Service
Reserve, of Los Angeles. Calf, who
charged Col. Mitchell, while chief Of
Air Service of the list Army, ordered
planes to fly in such severe weather
that loss of life and equipment re
suited.
Summerall to Testify.
OF the half dozen witnesses yet Il
be called, Maj. Gen. Charles p. Sum
neral. commanding the I'd Corp!
Area at Governors Island, n. l.
stands foremost. Gen. Summeral
was the courts original president, bu
his right to sit in judgment of Col
Mitchell was challenged and he wa.
relieved. The basis of the defens'
challenge was that while In commant
of the Hawaiian department Gen
SunlmeraIl made no effort to bring
the Air Service there into a condition
for war service. As result of tn,
challenge much Ill feeling has spruns
up between the general and Col
NifcbeIl Another irnoortant witness