ARMY COURT MARTIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21449, 24 March 1933, Page 9

ARMY COURT MARTIAL

EVIDENCE FOR ACCUSED HOLIDAY IN GERMANY LONDON, March 23 The court-martial which is hearing the charges against Lieutenant N. BaillieStewart, of the Seaforth Highlanders, was reopened to the public to-day after sitting in camera to hear certain witnesses. Many of these were foreigners, the publication of the names of whom might jeopardise their lives.

Colonel Fitzherbert, of the Army Service Corps, said he had found accused a loyal and energetic officer. Baillie-Stewart had handed to him on January 22 a letter addressed to Oito Waldemar, bidding fareveil to " Marie Louise,'' the Berlin girl with whom he was said to have had a liaison. Accused said he was not aware of Waldemar's address and asked witness to give the letter to the officer who searched his room in order that he might forward it.

Lieutenant Cromwell, a friend of accused's, said they had discussed a holiday in Germany. Financial reasons prevented witness from going, but accused, after asking two other officers to constitute ■ a party, went in August quite openly. Witness saicl that accused had afterwards remarked that he had had a good time. Ho mentioned having been to night clubs but said nothing of a liaison with " Marie Louise," or of the receipt of money. Accused was a keen soldier and was interested in all branches of his work. Lieutenant-Colonel Syms, of the Adju-tant-General's office, advised witness not to visit accused after his arrest, because he had his future to consider. He insinuated that accused had been bragging about his associations with women to the officer custodian. This greatly shocked witness. He had never doubted the integrity of accused, who was the last man he would suspect of the actions now alleged against him. The Court then resumed the hearing in | camera.