National Affairs: The Cronkhite Case

Major Alexander P. Cronkhite died of a bullet wound at Camp Lewis, Washington, in 1918.

His father, Major-General Adelbert Cronkhite, appealed to President Harding in 1921, charging that the War Department had no record of any investigation, inquest or autopsy following his son’s death. He still presses the charge.

Captain Robert Rosenbluth, tried in 1922 and acquitted of Cronkhite’s murder, also demands a full investigation—to exonerate himself.

Secretary Weeks has promised a thorough inquiry. No evidence of murder has ever been produced. A confession made by a bugler implicating Captain Rosenbluth has been retracted.

The case has been capitalized by certain politicians in Congress, who charge that Major-General Cronkhite’s recent retirement was in some way connected with the proposed investigation.