Evening star., 1955-09-02
Army Resumes
Mai. Alley Iria!

FORT MEADE, Md, Sept. al
R.-Maj. Ronald e. Alley has
been accused Of calling former
President Truman and Gen. |
Douglas Macarthur "warmon-
gers sacrificing the lives Of
United States soldiers In the in
terests Of capitalists 'rulin 81
circles"
The Army said this was among |
the statements the 34-year-old
artilleryman from Bar Harbor.
Me-, made while prisoner Of
the Communists in Korea.
The allegation was contained
In amended charges that were
ordered by q court-martial law
officer here Tuesday.
The Army prosecution said
Alley, among other things, par
ticipated In a prison camp club
or group called the daily life
committee, formed and con-
Quoted by the enemy seeking to
indoctrinate fellow prisoners Of
war, in the alleged superiority
of communism over the United
States system Of democracy"
Prosecution Charges
It said he expressed opinions
in camp "that the United States
had unlawfully interferred in a
civil war in Korea: that the
United States was an illegal ag-
gressor in the Korea conflict:
that the United States Govern
ment was an imperialistic gov
ernment waging an imperialstic
war in Korea" and that he asked
the enemy In what way he could
improve his presentation Of these
subjects.
In amending the charges, the
Army increased the number of
counts against the tall. sandy
haired Alley from seven to eight
In the indictment.
He also is charged with giving
the enemy information Of United
States artillery, Of urging fellow
prisoners to give information on
their units; submitting q ques-
tionnaire to feAow POWs asking
their religious and political af-
filiations and such things as
their reasons for joining the
service and whether they In
tended to be professional sol-
diers.
Before the revised charges
were presented by chief prosecu-
tor. Mai. James M. Kelly, the
defense contended Alley was be-
ing denied a public trial because
a 1st 1t. Francis K. Diebold was
not allowed to enter the court
room several days ago and that
the prosecution is using unqual-
lied legal help in its case.
1t. Col. william T. Logan, the
chief defense counsel. said Mai.
Sidney e. Goad. a reservist from
Charleston, w. Va, on temporary
duty. and Pvt. Irving Gutin OF
New York City have been aiding
Mai. Kelly and his assistant. lst
1t. Allan A. Pines. Col. Logan
said the use of unsworn counsel
in the court was fatal to the case.
Pleas Denied
Both pleas were denied by Col.
Curtis L. Williams, who is sitting
as law officer in the trial.
The latest moves in the case
came before Col. Williams re-
cessed the court until Tuesday
morning so that the defense
might work ON its case against
the amended charges.
As the case moves into its
third week, the first witness has
as yet to take the stand. So far
Col. Logan and his assistant, 1st
1t. James A. Brandvik. have
argued an array Of legal points
In the five days Of arguments
seeking to upset the case at least
in part.
And only yesterday a U. s.
District Court Judge in Washing
ton denied a motion of civilian
attorneys that the Army should
be barred from trying Alley be-
cause the charges against him
constitute treason. which the
Constitution states can only be
tried in a civil court.
The court-martial could con-
tinue for some time yet without
witnesses If Col. Logan elects to
continue the legal skirmishing.