The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-26
GERMAN WAR MINISTER
CRITICIZED BY PRESS
Action Against Rosa Luxembourg Is
Considered Another Exhibition OF
Bad Political Strategy.
MANY WITNESSES TO TESTIFY
However Case May Terminate, II
Cannot Help Directing Attention to
UndeniHbly Great Number Of Ex-
cesscs Against Private Soldiers.

Berlin, July 2b.-War Minister Won
Falkenhayn, whose tacress speech in
tho Reichstas. on tho occasion of the
Zsbern Interpolation. undoubtedly con-
triouted greatly to tho strength OF the
vote OF censure against the govern
ment Is generally considered to have
made another exhibition OF bad po-
lidcal strategy by causing an action
10 be brought against Rosa Lux emburE
for insulting the Germany army. Even
the loyaists press is criticizing him
severely. and the unexpected adjourn
ment OF the process for an indefinite
time. against tho strong protests OF the
defense. appears, when taken in con-
rection with certain other aspects Of
the case. to Indicate that the War Min
ister has realized no has exposed tho
most Vulnerable point of the institu-
ton which he had intended to pro-
tect.
Frau Luxembourg, who Is one of the
leaders Of the extreme radical wing of
tho Socialist party, said recently in a
speech in Freiburg against tho mis-
handling of soldiers by officers and
roncommissioned officers:
Day in. day out, there arc enacted
IN the German barracks dramas or
which only a small part become known
10 the public"
General Won Falkenhayn saw In this
statement n Islander OF the army. and
hc promptly made information 10 tho
state attorney, with the result that a
prosecution was begun. Vorwaerts
the central Socialist organ, thereupon
published an APPEAL to Its readers for
witnesses to acts of brutality against
private soldiers. The success OF this
appeal was evident on the first day
al
defense submitted list OF go men
who were willing to testify to mai
treatment OF themselves or other SOL
diers In their presence. General Won
Falkenhayn protested that this testi-
mony was irrelevant, except in SO far
As it covered cases having a fatal out
come. either through mishandling or
through suicide to escape further mall
trcatment-the latter a thing that re-
peatedly occurred. Anything else, said
the War Minister could not be con-
sidered a drama"
Against this construction the defense
protested. and the court. without def-
nitely deciding the point. prepared to
continue the process. The prosecution
then demanded a list of tho defense's
witnesses, with specifications OF tho
acts TO which they were prepared to
testify. The defense submitted such Il
list, and an adjournment for three days
was granted to enable tho states at
lOrneSS 10 investigate the cases. when
court reconvened, the prosection. at the
instance OF the War Minister, demanded
An indefinite adjournment. letter
from General Won Falkenhayn was sub
united, in which he declared that the
defenses list had been submitted to the
military courts for action in the cases
specihed. He was unwilling to pro-
coed with the Luxembourg case until
courta- martial should have determined
the truth or falsity OF the allegations
upon which the defense bases it's case.
ATTORNEYS OBJECTED
no AN ADJOURNMENT
Attorneys for Frau Luxembourg OBJ
lected TO an adjournment. Since the
last session their witness list had in
creased TO l,0l2, and the indications
were that II would continue to grow
To wait the action OF court-martial
IN all these cases meant an indefinite
sues In the case was tho leniency with
which military courts handled brutal
officers, and they objected TO having
the present case made dependent on
the outcome OF prosecutions TO which
the defendant was not a party and in
which the defense had confidence.
''unpermissible criticism of the War
Minister" and granted the adjourn
nent asked for
However the case may finally ter
Notwithstanding that It Is ever real
IL brought 10 trial--it cannot help d-
recting attention to the undeniably
waite soldiers on the part of their su-
periors. and this number. although 1t
has been somewhat reduced in the last
4 11w 6 yea.s rs fili shamefalS high
Ealkenhayn's proposed washing or
dirty linen before an internati on&f pub
: soldier. ending in his death. which
has just transpired as the result of an
anonymous letter TO the parents OF the
dead soldier A musketeer OF a Dant-
W
weeks ago. is now declared to have
been fatally injured by his sergeant
vestiga1!on is under way and the ser
geant major and captain OF the COM
pany have been suspended
tn, tn. 1,sharper wind" predicted for
10 blow. one OF the frat indications
was the recent order forbidding army
mustered into regiments OF their home
provinces Another IS the following
paragraph" from the Official Corre7
spondence' OF Strassburg, the organ OF
III has recently been observed that,
especially upon the return OF excur-
sionists from over the French border.
tags and badges OF all varieties In the
French colors are worn in a conspicu-
Gus manner. II is therefore advisa BILE
10 direct attention to tho fact that
gust II, lS4S. and under numerous de-
cisions of the courts. the public ex-
posing of these colors constitutes n
punishable onensc, subjecting one TO
imprisonment and considerable fines"
Repeated incidents in the conquered
provinces show how widespread the
anti-G erman feeling Is among differ
ent classes. The most recent incident
is reported from Saarburg. where tho
pastor or tho state church refused to
have the church bells rung in honor
of visit of the viceroy, DR.. Won Dali
WITT The Mayor interyened calling
attention to an ordinance requiring tho
bells TO be rung such occa sions
The pastor still refused The MAYOR
then SUMMONED gendarmes. who de-
rnanded the key of the belfry. and
rang the bells themselves.
INCREASE IN SIZE
Fears that the time is RAPIDLY an.
preaching when the population OF Ger
many. Ike that OF France. will become