Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-27
President Disturbed
By Dickinson Case,
But Expects. Justice

buI expects. justice
President Eisenhower said to-
day he was very disturbed when
he learned the Army planned to
court-martial Corp. Edward S.
Dickinson, but was convinced
that the soldier would get JUS
tice.
Gen. Eisenhower told a news
conference that upon learning of
the court-martial procedure. he
Immediately got in touch with
Secretary Of Defense Wilson.
Secretary Wilson explained to
him the case of the Crackers
Neck eva }, soldier who was cap
tured in Korea, decided to stay
with the Communists, but then
changed his mind and returned
to the United States. He now
is a patient at Walter Reed Hos
pital here.
Sees More to Case.
Gen. Eisenhower indicated his
belief that there might be more
to the case than has been
brought. out, saying he did not
think the Army's action was
based entirely on the fact that
the corporal had indicated his
desire to stay with the Reds.
Then Gen. Eisenhower recalled
his own long experience with
Army court-martial procedure
and pointed out that before men
are brought up on charges there
is careful Investigation to de-
termine if prosecution is called
for.
The President said that. a full
measure of decency and justice
can be found in Army court
martials, and that all such cases
as those involving Corpl. Dick
senson should be carefully
studied.
No Hasty Judgment.
Asking that no one pass hasty
judgment in such instances. the
President said he hoped the serv-
ices would have real sympathy
in their hearts in dealing with
them.
When Corpl. Dickinson came
home, he left 81 other American
soldiers who have decided to re-
main with the Reds. Secretary
Wilson feels these soldiers are a
disgrace" and that the dishon-
orable discharges planned for
| them are 1.-The least that should
happen to them"
Takes Responsibility.
Mr.. Wilson told a news con-
ference yesterday. that he took
full responsibility" for ordering
the dishonorable discharges.
He brushed aside questions
about the legality Of such dis
charges without prior courtsmar-
tial.
II suppose the lawyers will
argue about it but that's al
right" he said. you must con-
slider that hundreds of thousands
bled and many died.
| Il believe in charity and JUS
tice but you have to consider the
American people and the morale
| of the men in our services"
| viii Try Dickinson.
| At the same time, Mr.. Wilson
announced that courtmartial
proceedings against Corpl. Dick
enson. would go ahead as an
nounceds by the Army Friday
ensonnight.
THE next step in Corpl. Dick
enson's case will be q pre- trial
investigation" he said. This in
vestigation is scheduled to begin
this week and will take about
two or three weeks.
AT the conclusion of the pre-
trial investigation. If the facts
examined do not appear to war;
rant a trial. the charges will be
dropped. Equally. If new facts
suggest new charges, they can
be added to those already filed
/ He added counsel had been
assigned to the Crackers Neck
| (Va) soldier. Before the investi-
CATION begins he will be given
a thorough medical check-up.
Possible Death Penalty.
The corporal is charged with
currying favor with the Reds
while in prison to obtain better
treatment. The charges could
bring the death penalty.
Air Force Secretary Harold E
Talbot. accompanying Mr.. Will
son, disclosed that the air arm
had begun studies" of all the
cases of airmen who made false
confessions" that this country
waged germ warfare in Korea.
Mr.. Talbot said the Air Force
sis not going to take any action
until we have studied each in
dividual case" Some 80 air Of
ficers. including two colonies. are