MITCHELL CASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVi, 30 October 1925, Page 5

MITCHELL CASE

COURT-MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) WASHINGTON, October 23. The defence* won the first skirmish at the Mitchell courtmartial opening, when three of the original thirteen officers constituting the court were eliminated on the grounds of alleged prejudice. Air Frank Reid, a. member of the House of Representatives, Colonel Alitciiell’s chief compel, contended that recent. speeches proved them impartial and hostile. The officers removed included Brigadier-General Albert Bowley, by the vote at the court; secondly, Charles Summerall. ranking as Major-General in the army, court president, who asked to be excused, declaring that Col. Mitchell’s previous charge, namely, mismanagement of aviation in the Hawaiian manoeuvres, was purely personal and untrue; thirdly, Major-General Fred Slayden, superintendent of the West Point Military Academy, who withdrew. The trial is proceeding in an uncomfortable old army warehouse. After reading lengthy specifications based on Col. Mitchell’s critical speeches Air Reid challenged the authority of the judicial power of the court, declaring that Col. Mitchell had not violated military law or 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 (.nolidge called a special enquiry.