East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-03-30
FRENCH SAY GERMAN
SURGEONS NEEDLESSLY
AMPUTATE WOUNDED
MANY UNNECESSARY OPERA.
TIONS RENDER SOLDIERS
UNFIT FOR SERVICE.
Loss Of Arms and Legs Might Have
Bcen Prevented Under Present
Curative Methods OF Science, De-
clare French DOctOrs-Inycstlga
ton VIII I}c Made Into Charges.
BY HENRY WOO D.

] ~ AAAssHk WIZ ~
Omitted Press Staff Correspondent. }
PARIS. March 1S.-(By Mail TO
New York.-Open charges are now
being made In Paris that the German
military surgeons have made more
frequent use OF the knife at the ex-
pense OF legs and arms of French
prisoners than modern curative sci
ence might have rendered necessary.
Two thousand six hundred French
prisoners, whose mutilations are so
serious that they can never serve
again as soldiers. are now being re-
turned to France from Germany.
Against this number France has only
1000 mutilated Germans to return.
While a certain number Of these
on both sides are rendered incapable
Of further service on account Of blind
ness yet the great bulk are suffer-
ing from the loss OF arms and legs.
Not only the difference in the total
figures but also the disproportion be.
tween French and Germans Of those
who have suffered amputations is
what has aroused in France at first
Indignation. then suspicion and fina..
y open charges.
Have all amputatlons that have
taker place amongst French prison
ers in Germany been really neces
sary?" is the demand now going up.
Amongst an equal number OF French
and German wounded in the German
hospitals. where Germany has had
every possible interest not TO render
unfit for further service a single Ger
and where such a consideration has
not existed on behalf OF the French
have the latter had the benefit Of all
the curative science that was unques-
tionably exercised on behalf of the
former? This is another thing which
France Is openly demanding.
Will Make Investigation.
In addition French surgeons are
pointing out that surgery as practiced
In France Is distinctly of the CON
servation' type. A member is never
sacrificed that can in any way possi-
bly, be saved. Even in the military
hospitals where the latter have been
filled with the enemy's wounded this
principle has never been abandoned.
But what France wants TO know is
that even II German surgeons as 4
rule are followers OF this method
something of which the French sur
geons are openly doubtful-was It
applied with the same impartiality
to the French wounded who fell into
the hands OF the Germans as II was
TO their own.
Great light is expected to be thrown
upon this subject when the French
wounded finally arrive from Ger
many. A thorough investigation will
then be made both by French sur
geons and government officials. and
II suspicious which are now openly
voiced. appear to be verified. France
will submit the situation for interna;
tional consideration
Willing TO Exchange.
Up TO the present moment Germany
has shown the most alertness in pre-
pairing for the exchange of these SOL
diers. Whether or not her scarcity o.
food is responsible for this is not
known. The entire number of 26OV
are now gathered at Constance,
switzerland where arrangements havc
Just been completed by the Swiss gov
ernment for their transportation into
France. This will begin next week.
Special trains have been provided
each one OF which will carry 25O OF
The helpless men. They will not on''
be in charge of Sisters of the varis is
Catholic orders and Red Cross nurs-
Is but each train will have at its
head military commander. They
will travel only at night and will have
he right OF way over all other trat-
lie on the Swiss railways. The last
possible precaution has been taken
lot only for their safety but for ev-
Try possible care and comfort until