U.S. AIR SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 105, 30 October 1925, Page 5

U.S. AIR SERVICE

THE MITCHELL COURT-MARTIAL

DEFENCE WINS FIRST SKIRMISH.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.)

(AUSTIUUAN.NEW ZEALAND CAlllE ASSOCIATION.) WASHINGTON, 28th Oct.

The defence won the first skirmish at the opening of the court-martial of Colonel William Mitchell, when three of the original thirteen officers constituting the Court were eliminated on the grounds of alleged prejudice. Mr. frank Reid, member of the House of Representatives, Mitchell's chief counsel, contended that recent speeches had proved them to be not impartial. The hostile officers removed included Brigadier-General Albert Bowley, by the voto of the Court; Charles Summerall, ranking major-general in the army, nnd Court President, who asked to be excused for declaring that Mitchell's previous charge nf mismanagement, of the aviation service in tho Hawaiian manoeuvres was purely personal and untrue ; and Major-General Fred Slayden, superintendent of the West Point Military 'Academy, who withdrew.

Tho trial is proceeding; in an uneom furtnblc old iinny warehouse.

Alter reading lengthy specifications based on Colonel Alilr.licll's critical

speeches, "Mr. Reid elialleii,i:<.*il l.!io authority of (ho jiuliciiil pnivor of Hie Court! flccUniiif: lli.'il. Milrhell luid iii.il, violated Mir military law or Ilio articles uf war. lit; claimed Unit lie ivns within Hie constitutional riflht uf free spr.vh

in expressing liis upinion on a public question »n iiu|ioi*(.anl*. (lihl President, Coolidge hud called a special inquiry.