Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1919 — OFFICER IS DEMOTED [ARTICLE]

OFFICER IS DEMOTED

GENERAL AN*CLL, TRIAL CRITIC, LOSE* Hl* RANK. Secretary Baker Issum Statement Exf plaining Reduction of the Acting Judge Advocate General. Washington, March 7.—Secretary Baker announced that Brig. Gen. Edward A. Kreger, now in charge of a branch in France of the office of the judge advocate general, had been ordered home to act as Judge advocate general during the absence In Cuba of Maj. Oen. Enoch H. Crowder. At the same time announcement was made that nearly a score of general officers had been ordered back to their rank in the regular army, among the number being Brig. Gen. Samuel T. Ansell, acting judge advocate general, who reverts to a lieutenant colonel. Secretary Baker Issued this statement : “Brig. Gen. Edward K. Kreger has been directed by cable to return to the United States and In the absence of General Crowder in Cuba General kreger, as senior officer of the judge advocate corps, will be designed as acting judge advocate general. “In the ordinary routine of demobilizing the army a large number of officers in various bureaus of the war department, holding temporary rank, have been returned to their regular army status. Brigadier General Ansell Is among this number. The action thus taken has no relation to the controversy which has existed with regard to the administration of military Justice . and clemency. • “By direction of the Judge advocate general General Ansell will continue to be chairman of the clemency board, composed of officers of the judge advocate general’s office, reviewing courtmartial proceedings with a view to recommending commutation of excessive sentences where found necessary."