The Mitchell Formula

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 7, 19 December 1925, Page 5

The Mitchell Formula

A VITRIOLIC PROSECUTOR. ASSISTANT AIR CHIEF FOUND GUILTY. New York, Dec. 17. Colonel William Mitchell, former Assistant Chief of the Air Service, was found guilty this evening by general court-martial of hav mg broken discip line by attacks on aviation policy following the Shenandoah and San Francisco - Honolulu flight disasters. The sentence of 5 years’ suspension must bo approved by President Coolidge. Alcan

timo Colonel Mitchell remains technically under arrest. The jury of generals returned their verdict of guilty after 32 minutes’ deliberation. Colonel Allen Gullion, previously summing up the. prosecution’s case, characterised Colonel Mitchell as an egotistical, flambuoyant, untruthful and destructive person, who should be dismissed from the army. Colonel Gullion said: “Colonel Mitchell’s statements follow what may be termed the Mitchell formula. “First: Exaggeration of a national defence matter closely approaching falsehood. * Second: Untrue and misleading statements for the deliberate purpose of discrediting army and navy officers, thus—- “ Third: Creating distrust in the minds of the people regarding the War and Navy Departments. “Fourth: Egotistic self-deception regarding his experience and qualifications. Fifth: His protestations of the absence of self-interest and expressions of willingness to be and expectation of being a martyr, all leading to — “Sixth: A united air service with—- “ Seventh: "William Mitchell as the only logical head thereof.” Colonel Gullion said that every demagogue followed a similar formula. Colonel Mitchell declined to make an argumentative speech, merely declaring that the case was the culmination of the efforts of the general staff to de prcciate the value of air power. Colonel Mitchell was sentenced to suspension from the army for five years involving forfeiting of all rank, command and pay during that period. General Howze, presiding, declared that what the court-martial had considered was the brilliant record of the accused. Colonel Mitchell, after the sentence, smiled and shook hands with the jurors — (A. and N.Z.)