U.S. AIR FORCE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 30 October 1925, Page 10

U.S. AIR FORCE.

COURT-MARTIAL OPENS. (BY CABLE —pur,3B ASSOCIATION—COPIKtGHT.) ( AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received October 29th, 7.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 28. The defence won the first skirmish at tho Mitchell Court-martial opcn'ng, when three of the original 13 officers constituting the Court were eliminated on the grounds of alleged prejudice. MiFrank Reid, member of the House of Representatives, Colonel Mitchell's chief counsel, contended that recent speeches proved them partial and hostde. The officers removed included Brigadier-General Albert Rowley, by vote of the Court, and, secondly, Charles Summerall, ranking as 'MajorGeneral in the Army, and; Court President. who asked to be excused, declaring that Colonel Mitchell's- previous charge, namely mismanagement of aviation in the Hawaiian manoeuvres, Mas purely personal and tintrue; thirdly, Major-General Fred Slaydon, Superintendent of West Point Military Academy, who withdrew. The trial is proceeding in an uncomfortable old Army warehouse. After reading lengthy specifications, based on Colonel Mitchell's critical speeches, Mr Reid challenged the authority and judicial power of tho Court, declaring that Colonel Mitchell had notviolated the military lav,* or the articles of war. He claimed that lie was within the constitutional right of free speech in expressing an opinion on a public question so important that President Coolidge called a special equiry.

[The C'oolidgo Board of Enquiry regarding aviation was set up as a result of charges bv Colonel Mitchell of maladministration of the Air Force l>v the ■Navv Department. Colonel Mitchell's charges led to his court-martial ior insubordination.J