THE NAVAL TRIAL

Wairarapa Age, 5 April 1928, Page 5

THE NAVAL TRIAL

VERDICT AGAINST COMMANDER’ DANIEL. DISMISSAL AND REPRIMAND. AN IMPROPER METHOD. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) 1 ‘ RUGBY, April 3. The Naval Court-martial at Gibraltar this afternoon found Commander Daniel guilty of four charges of acts to the prejudice of discipline, and sentenced him to be dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded. The charges turned largely on a letter written by Commander Daniel to Captain Dewar containing criticisms of the conduct of Rear-Admiral Collard.

In a concluding speech the accused’s legal “friend’’ maintained that Commander Daniel’s action had been performed in good faith, and that, even if ho were guilty of a technical offence, he had been actuated by his concern for the morale of the ship. The prosecutor, on the other hand, maintained that Commander Daniel had included in the letter terms which wore subversive of discipline and contravened tho King’s Regulations, and had publicly read such passages in the wardroom. The method followed by Commander Daniel, said the prosecutor, was highly improper, and might have biased witnesses at the Malta Court of Inquiry. Ho criticised accused’s action in raking up past incidents, declaring that the Navy rule was that complaints must bo dealt with immediately, and not allowed to remain dormant until dragged in subsequently. Such procedure was essential toy the maintenance of justice. The Court delivered the verdict after ninety minutes’ consideration.—(British Official Wireless.) THE BAND AFFAIR. MARINE OFFICER’S EVIDENCE. LONDON, April 3. At the resumption of the Naval Court-martial at Gibraltar, Major Attwood, of the Royal Marines, gave evidence that lie had just finished dancing on the night of the ball on January 12, when he heard an angry voice, and saw Admiral Collard shaking his fist toward the band and talking loudly. Commander Daniel spoke to Admiral Collard and both walked away, everyone staring. Later Major Attwood hoard a report that the bandmaster asked to be relieved. Consequently, he went to Commander Daniel and asked him to protest against what he regarded as a reflection on the Royal Marines and also- on himself, pointing out that he was most indignant. He realised that there would be trouble in keeping the discipline of his battalion, if there were no protest. Cross-examined, he agreed that Commander Daniel’s expression, “The wardroom is aflame with indignation,’’ was a true reflection of the feeling at the time. The Court briefly adjourned to permit Mr. Kimball to prepare his speech for the defence.—(Australian Press Association. —United Service.)