“FOUND GUILTY.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 19 December 1925, Page 9

“FOUND GUILTY.”

VERDICT OF MITCHELL INQUIRY. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Auttralian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 18, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 17. Colonel Mitchell was adjudged guilty of misconduct in connection with the charges he made against the Air Department’s administration. UNANIMOUS VERDICT OF COURT. SENTENCE OF FIVE YEARS’ SUSPENSION. By Cable —Proas Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. .Cable Association. (Received December 18, 8.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 17. The jury of generals returned a verdict of guilty, after thirty-two minutes’ diliberation. , Colonel Alien Gullion, previously summing up the prosecution's case, characterised Colonel Mitchell as an egotistical, flamboyant, untruthful and destructive person, who should be dismissed from the Army. Colonel Gullion said: “Colonel Mitchell’s statement follows what may be termed the Mitchell formula—first, exaggeration of the national defence matter, closely approaching falsehood; second, untrue, misleading statements for the deliberate purpose of discrediting Army and Navy officers; thus the third phase, creating, distrust in the minds of the people regarding the War and Navy Departments; fourth, egotistic: se.lf-deception regarding expei-i ence : and qualifications - _ fifth, protestations of absence of self-interest, and expressions of willingness to be and expectation of being a martyr; all leueing to the sixth, a united air service, with the seventh phase,_ William Mitchell as the only logical , head thereof. Every demagogue followed a similar formula.” Colonel Mitchell was sentenced to argumentative speech, merely, declaring that the Case was a culmination of the efforts of the General Staff to depreciate the value of Ait Power. Colonel Mitehqel was sentenced to suspensions from the Army for five years, involving forfeiture of all rank, command and pay during the period. . General Howzej who presided, declared that what the court martial had considered was the brilliant record of accused/ Colonel Mitchell, after hearing the sentence, smiled, and shook hands with the.jurors. The sentence of five years’ suspension must be approved by President Coolidge j meantime, Colonel Mitchell remains. technically under arrest.