Evening star., 1952-10-04

The Court Martial-First Day
Steve Maryk's spirit failed hin
In the very first moments of tn
court-martial, when the member
OF the court were sworn. Sever
officers stood on a dais in a semi
circle behind a polished red-browl
bench. their right arms raised
staring with religious gravity a
Challee as he intoned the oatl
from a battered copy Of Court
and Boards.
His eyes were drawn to tn,
face Of the president Of the court
Captain Blakely, who stood a
the center Of the bench, squared,
In front Of the flag. It was al
alarming face; a sharp nose, F,
mouth like a black line, and small
far-seeing eyes under heavy
eyebrows. with a defiant, dis
trustful glare. Maryk knew his
reputation; a submariner, ur
from the ranks, beached by q
heart condition. the toughest
disciplinarian of Com Twelve
Maryk was shaking when he sal
down after the oath, and it was
the face Of Blakely that had made
him shake. One regular lieuten-
ant commander and five lieuten-
ants made up the rest of the
board. For his first witness
Challee called Lieutenant Com
mander Philip Francis Queeg.
Every one in the room watched
the door. The ex-captain of the
Caine entered, tanned, clear-eyed
In a new blue uniform. the sleeve
stripes bright gold. The change
was startling. Maryk'S last vivid
recollection was Of little stopped
potbellied figure in a gray life
Jacket and wet khakis, clinging
to the engine telegraph, the brist-
ly face green and twisted with
fear. The man before him was
erect. confident, and good-look-
1ng-and youthful, despite the
few blond strands over a pink
scalp. Maryk's nerves were jolted.
Challee went quickly to the
morning OF the typhoon, and
asked the ex-captain to narrate
the events in his own words. The
reply Of Queeg was a coherent,
rapid sketch. In formal language,
Of the mutiny.
The court members followed
the account with sympathetic in
tereSt. Once Captain Blakely
transferred a long ominous stare
to the defendant. Before Queeg
was finished Maryk had totally
deSpaired. He looked to his coun-
sci with frightened eyes. Green
wald doodled with red crayon
on a pad, drawing multitudes of
little fat pink pigs.
Queeg Questioned.
Commander" said Challee,
"can you account in any way for
your executive officers act?"
WELL" said Queeg calmly, "it
was a rather serious situation. Mr..
Maryk had shown evidence of
growing nervousness and instabil-
tty all morning. I think when we
took that last bad roll he simply
went into panic and proceeded to
act irrationally. He acted under
the delusion that he and he alone
could save the ship. His worst
weakness was conceit about his
Seamanship."
"Was the Caine in grave danger
at that moment?"
Il wouldn't say so, no sir. OF
course a typhoon is an extreme
hazard at all times, but the ship
had ridden well up to that mo-
ment and continued to ride well
afterward."
Have you ever been mentally
III, sir?"
mo, sir"
Were you Ill in any way when
Mr.. Maryk relieved you?"
II was not"
did you protest the relief?"
las forcefully as I could"
did you attempt to resume
commando"
Repeatedly"
did you warn your executive
officer of the consequences of his
act?"
Il told him he was performing
q mutinous act"
What was his reply?"
THAT he expected to be court
martialed, but was going to re-
tain command anyway"
What was the attitude of
Lieutenant Junior Grade Keith,
the officer Of the deck?"
He was in a state of panic as
bad as Maryk's or worse. He con-
sistently backed up Maryk."
What was the attitude Of the
rest Of the ofdcers?"
They were perplexed and sub
miSsive. Under the circumstances
I don't suppose they had any al
tentative.
What was the attitude of the
helmsman?"
"Stilwell I considered the worst
troublemaker on the ship. He was
emotionally unbalanced, and for
some reason was very devoted to
Lieutenant Junior Grade Keith.
He gladly participated in defying
my orders"
Where is Stilwell at present?"
Il understand he is in the psy-
chiatric ward Of the hospital here,
with q diagnosis of acute mel
ancholia."
Defense Poses Question.
Challee glanced at the court.
There was an exchange Of looks
among the court. Challee, and
Greenwald. The defense counsel
rose for cross-examination. Com
mander Queeg," he said respect
fully. looking down at the crayon
In his hand, II should like to ask
you whether you have ever heard
the expression, old Yellowstain. !"
I'm what connection?" Queeg
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