Evening star., 1953-02-14
Voorhees, Defense
Cites Writings by
Two High Generals
BY the Assoeiated Press

FORT MEADE, Md. Feb. IA.
The Defense Departments top
security review officer testified
today that magazine articles by
Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger and
1t. Gen. Edward M. Almond
were not submitted to his Office
before publication.
However, the defense for 1t.
Col. Melvin B. Voohees failed to
show at his court-martial, on
charges of violating Army regu-
lations. that the two generals
and others didn't get clearance
from the Army.
One of the charges against
Col. Voorhees, is that he was
wrong in ignoring the Army by
submitting directly to the De-
fense Department his book,
Korean Tales"
Objections Sustained.
Col. Joseph S. Edgerton, chief
Of the Defense Department Sc
curity Review Branch, was hand
ed copies of articles by Gen.
Eichelberger and Gen. Almond.
He said they hadn't been sub
mitted to his Office.
But the presiding Judge sus-
tanned prosecution objections to
any attempt to have Col. Edger-
ton testify on whether they had
been cleared by the Army. The
prosecution argued that Col.
Edgerton was not iflsa position
to know.
1t. Col. John T. West. jr., de-
fense lawyer, said the articles
were submitted to prove the reg
ulations could be interpreted in
various ways and not that the
generals violated regulations.
Calls Foundation Lacking.
The prosecution also objected
successfully to attempts by Col.
West to ask Col. Edgerton wheth-
er books by the late Gen. H. H.
(Hap) Arnold, Gen. Holland
(Howhn' Mad Smith and Gen.
Lucius B. Clay had been sub
mitted to his Office for review.
The presiding officer said he
sustained the objections because
no proper foundation for the
questions had been laid.
Col. Edgerton testified that a
1949 Defense Department direc-
tive still is in effect and that he
has found mo paper that re-
scinded it."
This directive limits the re-.
sponsibility of public informa-
ton officers for review to dele
ton of classified material, Col.
Edgerton said.
Finds No Modification.
One defense witness, Val Hoge,
custodian of documents in the
Office of the Secretary Of De-
fense, said yesterday he has
found among his records no in
dication that the 1949 directive
has been Cancelled or modified
by any other order.
Maj. Arthur M. Scheid. prose-.
cution counsel. argued that there
are a variety Of regulations and
they are quite clear in giving the
public information officers au-
thority to review for accuracy,
propriety and policy:
Maj. Scheid said that freedom
of speech sis not unconditional,
not unlimited, not absolute"
"It is almost beyond the scope
Of imagination to argue that the
Army cannot review the writings
of It's officers and exercise con-
troll over them" he said.
Stands by Book.
Col. Voorhees,, meanwhile. adj
vised of statement concerning
him and his book by Mai. Gen.
Courtney Whitney. aide to Gen.
Douglas Macarthur, told report
ers he stands by his book as
Historically accurate
The book accused Gen. Mac
Arthur of violating security at
q news conference and in a COM
munique in February. 1851. It
suggested that Gen. Whitney ar
ranged the release on the eve Of
Washington's birthday to get q
newspaper headline break in. the
lull Of q national holiday.
Gen. Whitney's statement slg-
gested that Col. voorhees, was
seeking publicity for the book.
Col. voorhees, pointed out that
the book has been on sale for
several months and that chap
ters highlighting criticism Of
Gen. Macarthur were introduced