The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-29
GENERAL PUT
UNDER ARREST
PENDING TRIAL
Formal Regrets Voiced to
MuSSolini'S Envoy by
Secretary Stimson.

WASHINGTON. Jan 29.-Sec-
rotary Of State Stinson today made
formal apology to Italy for state
ments made by Major General
Smedley D. Butler regarding Pre-
mier Museolini of Italy in speech
at Philadelphia last week.
The apology was made two hours
after Secretary of the Navy Adj
ANS had ordered Butler, one of the
most distinguished Of American ma
rtne corps officers, court-martialed.
Stimson personally made the for
NAL expression of regret over the
affair to Italian Ambassador Cha
como De MARITIME, who called at the
state department to receive the
apology.
StimSon explained to De MARITIME
that Buffers speech was an "unau-
thorized action" and informed the
Ambassador Of the navy's action in
ordering the general court-mar-
tailed
Placed Under Arrest
Butler, In answer to demand
from the secretary of the navy
Wednesday, had admitted he had
told an audience at Philadelphia
that an American friend had in
formed him Mussolini commented
"a single life is nothing compared
to the life Of The state" when Mus
solini's automobile allegedly ran
down a child.
Butler also was said to have Spo-
ken of mad dogs" threatening Eu-
rope, and to have commented that
AIussolini was among those await
ing an opportunity to start another
war
Buffers explanation to the navy
department was received late
Wednesday. Early today confer
ence was held among high officers
of the department and the court
martial decided upon.
Orders were dispatched to Butler
at Quantico, Va, marine base, to
place himself under arrest He did
so within fifteen minutes, turning
over command of his post to Briga-
dier-G General Randolph G. Berkeley
While under arrest he is confined
10 the limits of the Quantico reSer-
vation and is not permitted to dis
cuss the case with any one.
Arrange to Convene Court
Arrangements for converting the
court were begun Immediately in
washington, but it may be several
days before the court can be APP
pointed owing to the fact that the
records of procedure in such impor-
tant cases are buried deep in the
army and navy files.
Drew Pearson, in a signed article
today in the Baltimore Sun, says
previous intimations of the frank
ness of Buffers letter Of explana-
ton 'have reached Secretary Adj
ans, and caused him to say that 1t
was quite possible the letter would
never be made public"
The article goes on to say that
Butler IS understood to have adj
nitted his attack on Mussolini, and
to have named Cornelius Wander
bilt Jr. as the person who took a
ride with Mussolini.
The present reported friction be-
tween Butler and Adams, according
10 the Suns story, dates back to
July 80, 1880, when the secretary
was invited to Quantico by Butler
to see how efficiently the base was
operated. Butler. is was intimated,
hoped to be designated command
ant of the marine corps, a post at
that time vacant.
Insulted the Secretary
Adams before making the visit, was
primed with figures on the high
cost of operating Quantico by the
navy general board. which was re-
ported to dislike Butler. To every
remark of Buffers about the excel
lence of this or that feature of his
command, Adams was reputed to
have made some disparaging reply.
Butler, says the Suns story, fin
ally exasperated, was reported to
have told one of Adams aids the
secretary reminded him of distin-
guished visitor whom a southern
hostess was trying hard to please,
The guest didn't like the fried
chicken, declined the lima beans
turned up his nose at the damsons
Then the hostess asked:
well, do you suck eggs?"
According to Buffers friends, says
the Sun, that encounter at Quantico
lost Butler his promotion.
Vanderbilt IS ciInnf