The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-09-10
Colonel Mitchell Says He is
Ready to Stand Any
Court Martial.
REFORMS OUTLINED
Meanwhile Necessary Reforms
in Air Defense Are Outlined
by Assistant Air Chief.
BULLETIN.


San Antonio, Tex )-Tf
the war department does not like
the statements | make, let Of
ficials take any disciplinary action
they want, court martial or no
court martial, but there will be
no investigation, no pleas, no de-
Tense on my part covering ques-
tion of that kind" Colonel Will
liam Mitchell said today, answer
ing a question as to what he in
tended doing if prosecuted by the
war department for his statement
of last Saturday.
fsThe investigation that is need
ed is that of the war and navy
department and their conduct in
the disgraceful administration of
aeronautics," he added.
Although Colonel Mitchell was
silent on the subject, fellow officers
called attention to the fact that
Colonel e. d. Scott of the inspcc-
tor generals department Is sta
toned Mt Fort Sam Houston. He
outranks either Colonel Mitchell
or Colonel George Nugent,
assigned by the war department
TO investigate Colonel MitchelPs
statements.
Colonel George Dumont of the
inspector generals department in
Washington lis member of the
coast artillery corps.
Colonel Scott is not. They point
out Ghe superiority of air defense
artillery and the air service is
keener than between any other
two branches of the services.
Colonel Mitchell often has pointed
out the superiority of air defense
over coast artillery to repeal an
invasion from the sea.
Washington, D. CO. AS tn
rar department moves to call Colone
William Mitchell to account for hi
ublic charges against administrator
f the army and navy air services, tn
ormer assistant army air chief ha
up his attack with length
liberation of what he regard
S necessary reforms in the nationa
efense system.
In the statement issued at his Sal
Tex, post yesterday, how
yer, urging a consolidated depart
lent of national defense, Colone
ficthell made no reference to tn
harges which have brought int
ction the disciplinary forces of tn
yar department.
The war department it was explain
d is concerned solely with the speci
C charges of the colonel, including
riminal negligence with administra
ion of the air services in moving t
etermine whether he has rendere,
imself liable to court martial pro
eedings under the articles of war.
A lapse of probably a week is ex
ected before decision will b
cached as to grounds for court mar
ial proceedings to determine whethe
iolonel Mitchell has been guilty o
nsubordination.
Urging in his latest statement tn
reation of a single department o
the army, navy and air branches
olonel Mitchell said, eve must ap
ly a remedy to the conditions exist
ng in our whole national defens
ystem and in our aeronautics il
articular." He urged also the crea
ion of the government and to consis
f the secretary of state, secretary o
he treasury and proposed secretar,
f national defense.
Colonel Mitchell, attributed wha
e described as the terrible condi
ions in our national aeronautics'
oday rs more or less the absolet'
ignorance of individuals than to thu
resent system"
Creation of a department of air de
ense also was advocated by Alvin
'wsley of Texas, former nationa
commander of the American Legion
4 addressing a convention of Legion
lembers at Eldorado, Ark, yester
ay. He said recent disasters t.
avail air crafts were due to thu
lunders of administrative officers
tho never few an airplane.
Detroit, Mich.- "A congress
ionaI investigation of the nation!
administration of its defense was urg
d by Senator James Couzens today.
"An investigation by the army anC
. ~n,r-- xryo,,ld ho 1ISnlpSs, he cold