Evening star., 1925-12-14
SUMMERAL | BACKS
: HAWAIIAN DEFENSE
Declares COL. Mitchell Did
| Not Know of Air SerV-
ice Program.

Defending his administratio as
ron7mandine general of the Hawaiian
department. which Col. Mitchell had
indirectly charged was guilty OF
almost trea sonahle administratl ton
because up to 1928 there were no war
plans for the employment OF the Ar
Service in protection of the islands
Mai. Gen. Charles +. Summerall. now
commanding the I'd Corps Area. tes-
titled before the Mitchell court-mar-
tial today that there were plans fof
the Air Service in defense OF the
territory that the accused on his
visit did not discuss with him.
Gen. SummeralL the courts for
mer president was relieved from sit
ting on the tribunal few moments
after the trial opened October 2S on
the challenge of the defense that he
was biased. The defense based Its
challenge on his refusal to comply
with the report made to him by Col.
Mitchell, then brigadier general.
after an inspection of the Air Serv-
ice in Hawaii in 1928. In reply 10
the challenge at that time. Gen. Sum-
merall stated in open court the re-
port was ''unsound unfair and ig-
norant.'
The proceedings this morning
hinged about the report Col. Mitchell
made in which he declared there were
no defense plans for the islands in
existence at that time. Gen. Summer
all, under direct examination by Maj
Francis &. Wilhv. assistant trial judge
advocate, testified he did not read
the report until Col. Mitchell had left.
J. then was forwarded to the chief Of
sir service with letter from him,
which was produced in evidence, that
was held TO he secret because II re-
terred to employment of troops in de-
fense of the islands.
Says Mitchell UNIFORMED.
Gen. Summerall took the stand after
Mai. l.. J. McNair. who testified Sat
urday, had completed his testimony
this morning. Maj McNair was at
taChed to Gen. Summeralls staff in
Hawaii and he also gave testimony
that the accused had not been made
acquainted with plans for defense of
the islands. Representative Frank r.
Reid contended today there were no
plans at that time and insisted they
We're field orders" as Maj. McNair
had termed them.
After Gen. Summerall was sworn
he was asked if he knew the accused
and, looking directly at the court and
not at the defense side. he replied,
TO point him out was omitted
Asked to outline his duties as COM
manding general of the Hawaiian de-
partment, Gen. Summerall said he
was charged with training. supply
and equipment of all military forces
In my comma nd: organiza ton of all
resources and military forces for war
and preparation of plans for employ.
ment as troops and execution in case
of emergency"
When the accused visited Hawaii
did he report to you on ARRIVAL"
asked Maj. Wilby.
He came to my office and saw me-"
Did he explain the purpose of his
visit?'
Every Facility Offered.
NO. There was no discussion of
the purpose of his visit other than
that l offered him any facilities he
might need in connection with. an or
der l had received from the War De
partment."
Did you render him every assist
ance?"
Yes"
Did you know the exact purpose
of his visit?"
An order had been received to the
effect that he would make an inspec-
ton"
During his visit did he frequently
come to your office and discuss it with
you?"
Il recall seeing him only three or
four times. He didn't discuss with me
any particular matter about his in
spection."
"At the time of his visit were any
war plans ir existence which included
the Air Service
Yes
Did he discuss them with you?"
No"
Says Air Force Increased.
Gen. Summerall then detailed the
development of the Air Service in
Hawaii at that time. A few months
before the accused visit, he said, the
Air Service had one observation
squadron, one pursuit squadron and
one bombardment squadron, all equip.
ped with DIS. Two general staff off
GERS visited Hawaii in 1922, and the
witness said, during our conferences
all recognized the need of increase in
>he Air Service there. They assured
me no other troops We're available
Sor assignment to Hawaii.
The only way to increase the Air
Service was to reduce the strength of
the other arms. The Field Artillery
was reduced and two squadrons of
air troops. one bombardment and one
pursuit, were added. This was made
effective in the Spring of 1928. When
the accused visited Hawaii we had
an organization of two bombardment
and two pursuit squadrons with new
equipment and one observation. They
were perfecting themselves with the
equipment and with the added per.
sonnel as a result of the reduction of
the Field Artillery
Asked if he consulted the Air officer
on the addition of Air Service troops,
the witness replied he had and did on
all other occa asions.