Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-05-01
By HUGH s. JOHNSON

COLONE LlNDBERGH'S
~ resignation from the air
corps reserve has been criticized
even by some strongly interven-
zionist editors who approve his
courage but disagree with his
sentiments. For example, the
New York Times thinks his
resignation was "petulant ac-
ton" The New York Herald
Tribune also thought his resig-
nation was regrettable.
These opinions, l submit, stem
from a lack of familiarity with
military ethics IN our highest
traditions. There is no obligation
whatever for the government TO
accept that resignation. On the
other hand, there was a distinct
obligation for Lindbergh 10
resign.
When a commanding officer
tells a junior that in the formers
opinion the latter is unfit 10
serve and especially when he
says that the disqualification is
for diSloyalty or. even worse, FOR
a kind of treason. that junior. in
our honorable military tradition
of the regular army, has three
possible courses.
One is to step into the next
room and blow out his brains.
A second is to demand a court
martial or commission of inquiry.
A third is TO offer TO resign.
THE hara-kiri aspect of the
Il first is among the oldest OF
Roman and Samurai traditions.
1t is harsh and somewhat the
atrical but it is not unknown to
our services.
Behind the scenes the mill
tary profession is a kind of cult
of honor in which death is a
consideration considerably below
that of dishonor. 1t must be so
if the stiff backbone of proper
armies is to be maintained. But
that rareSt and most bitter OF
remedial protests implies some
shadow of guilt. mistake or fault
obviously not possible in Lind
bergh's case
Under the articles of war,
while regular officers, or reserve
or National Guard officers on
active service. could demand, as
of right. a court martial or mill
tary commission TO investigate
and vindicate or condemn any
such charges by a superior, a
reserve officer not on active duty
has no such right As far as
Lindbergh is concerned, that
remedy Is out.
THERE remained 10 him no
i other course but to resign
his reserve commission and there
was no petulance about II. He
would be a heel if he hadn I
offered to resign. He had been
practically told by the c in {
that he was unfit to serve his
country.
If constituted authority really
believes that, It can accept ms
resignation. Otherwise. II can
refuse as usual. which does put
il on a tough spot. But II asked
for that spot.
A reserve officer below gen.
eral rank is in a quaint position.
He has no military authority.
no military obligations, no
duties. He is simply free
civilian who. without waiting for
anv draft board, any enlistment
ballyhoo, any pressure OF any
| kind has said:
Here are my name, address
and qualifications.
without regard to what
others may do or have done to
them, without regard to my own
/ personal fortunes or wishes,
with no period Of notice and
without further formalities,
promise to answer any call OF
my government to go wherever
1t may send me-"
Until such a civilian is called
~ he has the same right OF
free speech and expression as
any other American. After he
is called, it is a very different
matter. No officer on active
duty can be in a position OF
opposing or even criticlzlng his
superiors, of whom the presl-
dent is the highest of all
That about sums up the case
of Mr.. Lindbcrgh. The criticism
that was made al the White
/ House that he published has
temperate letter announcing his
resignation before it was re-
ceived in Washington, or there
was any chance to reply, seems
TO be completely answered by
the fact that the President un'
expectedly assailed him in a
public press conference without
giving him any hearing or any
chance TO defend himself.
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