Evening star., 1925-10-28

possibly influence his desire TO see
justice done the accused.
In view of this statement" Col.
Moreland asked, does the chief coun-
sci for the defense desire to withdraw
the challenger"
we wish to reiterate the charges,
and request that Gen. Bowley pc re-
moved from this court" Mr.. Reid re
piled with emphasis.
The court was declared closed at
1920, its members retired to an
ante chamber aud Gen. Buwley was
left To face a mercilesS battery Of
cameras that had already surround
ed him. Twelve minutes later the
court returned and Gen. Summerail
quietly announced the challenge Is
sustained and Gen. Rowley is re-
Eeved from further duty in this
court.
With that same slow, determined
motion. Nh Reid again rose. and
looking squarely at the president of
the court, announced in measured
tones:
Challenges Summerall.
I'VE wish to challenge the right
of Gen. Summerall TO sit as a mem
ber of this court
If the first challenge had staggered
the spectators. this attack on the
president of the court that was 10
Try Col. Mitchell ali but precipitated
riot. Gen. Summerall alone seemed
to maintain his composure and
waited for Col. MitchelIS chief of
counsel 10 proceed.
Mr.. Reid began by saying that last
September Gen. Summerall had de-
Clared in a speech that it was UNI
fair for any one to intimate or de-
clare that the Army Air Service was
improperly trained and inefficient. He
was further quoted as saying: There
is nothing to support the eXtrayagant
claim for single aviation unit. The
public is being n sled" This state
ment was read from The Evening Star
OF September %.
In further explanation of Col.
Nitchel's desire to see Gen. Sum
neral removed from jurisdiction in
the court, Mr.. Reid read part of the
report of the air officers inveStiga-
tion Of aviation forces in the Ha-
Waiian Islands in 1928 AT that time
Gen. Summerall was commanding of
ficer at Honolulu. In his report Col.
Mitchell declared the Hawaiian air
forces to be inefficient and made
quate; he said there we're plans at
headquarters for their use in the
event of war and recommended com
plete ganiZation of the air forces
at Honolulu To this Gen. Sum
neral sharply replied through Gen.
Patrick, chief of the Air Service,
taking issue with Col. Mitchell. who
was then assistant chief of the Air
Service.
SummeraIl Gets Out.
Mr.. Reid continued that Col. Mitchell
further wished to recall testimony
given before the congressional lnves-
tigating committee last Spring, in
which he declared that there was so
much animosity between the Army
and Navy staffS in the Hawaiian
Islands that the two would not even
attend the same social functions. IN
view of these verbal controversies. the
defense held that Gen. Summerali
could not possibly participate in the
trial of Gen. Mitchell without bias.
THE statements made by the de
Tense are probably correct Gen:
Summerall replied. 81 do not recall
the words used by Col. Mitchell at
the time, but I assume they are all
right. ! learn here for the first time
of Col. Alitchells enmity toward me-
! had never before thought there was
hostility in the report he mentioned
and therefore entertained no enmlty
toward the accused
The report was untrue, unfair
here Gen. Summeral hesitated Ior al
most Il full minute, bit his lip NeNa-
tiously and replied with frank anger
-.and ignorant This is not the
place. however. to prove the efficiency
of the Hawaiian Air Service, but IN
view of Col. NitCheli's personal bitter
hostility toward me ! cannot consent
10 sit longer as q member or TINS
court. and 7 ask that l be excused.
The court !, declared closed.
Again the generals comprising the
cn,,rt tmartia! retired 70 their ante
chamber, but this time they returned
in less than four minutes.
Gen. Howe, next in serlorltE 70
Gen. Summerall, announced upon re-
f,,rn,n,r. THE challenge is sustained
and the challenged member is accord
irrIz- excused" Gen. Summerall inn
rnedistely rose from his chair, bowed
10 the court and left the room.
Sladen Excused.
Cen Howe was then made preSi-
DEM of the court and he asked the
defense if il had further challenges
20 announce. Mr.. Reid replied that
he defense wished to lodge pre-
errntol.v challenge against Gen.
Siaden As. under military law, it IS
unnecessary to subStantiate such q
challenge, Gen. Sladen was auto
maticary excused and MIR. Reid ar
nounced that the defense was then
satisfied with the court as 1t stood.
II had been an ordeal for spectators
and members of the court alike.
Nervous tension had gripped the al
ready far-stretched nerves OF those
nresent. and each challenge was met
with a new reaction from the crowded
Al. HniH'c Gnrlara ion hat Cni.