The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-03-30
Two Thousand, Six p led Soldiers
of France, Prisoners 'to.. Re-
turned-Charge CarelessS1 s.
INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE
Wounded to Be Sent Home in Special
Trains Under Guard Scarcity of
Food May Play Part.
BY HENRY WOOD

BY HENRY WOOD
Paris, March 30-Open charges
are now being made in Paris that the
German military surgeons have made
a more frequent use of the knife al
the expense Of legs and arms Of
French prisoners than modern cura-
tive science might have rendered
necessary.
Two thousand six hundred French
prisoners, whose mutilations are 50
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
blindness, yet the great bulk are
suffering from the loss of arms and
legs. Not only the difference in the
total figures but also the dispropor-
ton between French and Germans Of
those who have suffered amputations
is what has aroused in France first
indignation, then suspicion and final
ly open charges
Is an Open Demand.
Have all amputations that have
taken 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 single
sary and where such consideration
has not existed on behalf of the
French, have the latter had the bene-
fit of all the curative science that was
unquestionably exercised on behalf
Of the former? This is another
thing which France is openly de-
handing.
In addition. French surgeons gre
pointing out that surgery as prac-
tieed in France is distinctly of the
conservation type. A member is
never sacrificed that can in any way
possibly be saved. Even in the mill
tary hospitals where the latter have
been filled with the enemy's wounded
this principal has never been aban-
doned. But what France wants to
know is that even if German sur
geons as rule are followers of this
method it applied with the
same impartiality to the French
wounded who fell into the hands OF
the Germans as it was to their own
To Hold Investigation.
Great light is expected to be
thrown upon this subject when the
French wounded finally arrive from
Germany. A thorough investigation
will then be made both by French
surgeons and government officials,
and if suspicious which are now OPP
emily voiced, appear to be verified,
France will submit the situation for
International consideration.
Up to the present moment Ger
many has shown the most alertne5s
in preparing for the exchange Of
these soldiers. Whether or not her
scarcity of food is responsible for
Der Of 1900 are now gathered at
Constance, Switzerland, where ar
rangements have just been complet-
ed by the Swiss government for their
transportation into France. This
will begin next week.
Special trains have been provided
each one of which will carry $50
of the helpless men. They will not
only be in charge of sisters of the
various Catholic orders and Red
Cross nurses but each train will have
at it's head a military commander.
They will travel only at night and
will have the right of way over all
other traffic on the Swiss railways.
The last possible precaution has been
taken not only for their safety but
for every possible care and comfort
until they are finally turned over to
France.
Soldiers to Be Exchanged.
The German muti1ated soldiers
who are to be exchanged are now
being gotten together at Lyons. They
will not number over 1000, as the
French insist that through the care
of the French surgeons hundreds of
German wounded were saved from
amputations or other operations that
would have rendered them unfit for
service. Those, however, for whom
there was no chance, but whose lives
at least were saved, are now being
taken to Lyons with every possible
care from the military hospitals at
Bourg. Roane, Limoges, Saint
Yrieix and other points. When the
entire number is assembled the ex-
change will begin.