MITCHELL COURT-MARTIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19443, 31 October 1925, Page 9

MITCHELL COURT-MARTIAL

TWO DEFEATS FOB DEFENCE. FARCICAL ELEMENT ENTERS. Received October 30. 5.5 p.m. WASHINGTON, Oct. 29. Brigadier-General Mitchell sustained two defeats during the second day f his trial. His contention that the trial was a violation of the constitutional guarantees of free speech was overruled by the court shortly after today’s opening. After that General Mitchell launched a technical attack, involving an all-day argument, over the legality of his arraignment, which also failed. The prosecution contended that unless the commanders of national defence were able to protect themselves against destructive and irresponsible criticism, they would be powerless to enforce discipline, and the army would become a mob. A soldier accepted on enlistment a contract which involved a considerable change from his civilian status.

The defence contended that the entire argument was based on the tradition that conviction was for violation. which was absurd, but this was over-ruled. A farcical element entered this most important court-martial in the nation’s history when nine generals and one colonel, constituting the court, insisted upon retiring to confer secretly after the reading of each of the eight speci* fications in the charge against General Mitchell. The generals were obviously embarrassed by the undignified tramping back and forth, and the embarrassment grew as the spectators’ merriment progressed from titters to roars of laughter. Mrs Mitchell sat affectionaly close to her husband, following the trial intently. smiling and chattering to many friends m the audience.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.