Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-08
Yoke of ThraZdom
Put Upon Prisoners
of War Denounced

underlying captivity? 1t is this: to
prevent prisoners from taking any
further part in the war. to deprive the
enemy's army of their co-operation
To this end it is necessary and sunici-
ent to disarm them and to put them in
a place whence it is impossible to them
to rejoin their own people before the
conclusion of reace. Whatever goes
beyond this is cowardicc and infamy,
is vicious depravity and crime. We
must not mince words. but call things
by their name
PRISONER OF WAR
DOES NOT FORFEIT HONOR
The prisoner OF war has not for
feited his honor Recently the Ger
man General Won Stein said in an
army order: THE misfortune can hap
pen to the most gallant soldier to fall
into captivity" The world has wit
messed lately how the brave Major
Raynal. the immortal defender of Fort
NauX. has been treated by his German
adversary, and how last year the cap
tain of the Emdcn was dealt with by
his English victors. And heroes of this
stamp. if they have not officers rank,
but happen To be privates, are de-
graded 10 galley sleeves. Fie, for
shame!
But an outcry OF indignation the
clenchng of fists and the gnashing of
teeth, do not suffice. This Is a case for
the discharge OF IA duty of humanity.
IL is n foul disgrace for all peoples
without an exception, for the ncutrals
not less than for the others that they
tolerate silently and inactivcly such
shameful deeds. They become thereby
az mi 70
III England; has Schoclcher, in France;
Brazil, in vain lived and worked? Has
John Brown. in the United States, in
vain suffered martyrs death? The
stain of negro slavery is wiped off
from civilization. Shall it now be sub
stitutcd by the infamy OF the slavery
OF white men of culture nd education,
of chivalrous men of honor of valiant
soldiers, of dutiful defenders of their
homes and hearths?
SHAM MEASURES TAKEN
TO ALLAY CRITICISM
| know hyDocrites can point to Ger
tain sham measures taken pretcndcdly
for the protection of the prisoners of
war. Neutral diplomats, delegates of
the Red Cross, are granted permission
their observations. to draw attention
10 shortcomings. to recommend i'm
provcmcnts.
But how have they performed their
mission up TO the present? They are
shown only what it is deemed desira bic
they should see, and things are ar
ranged in view OF their visit. They
stalk across the camp without stop-
ping. with just an absent glance TO the
right and to the left
The prisoners have no opportunity IN
speak to them privately and to give
them details. They dare not complain.
as they have reason to fear that they
would have to pay heavily for it.
The delegates censure trines and
swamp their paltry criticism in COM
plimcnts. They have not the courage
to impeach with a loud voice, and to
require imperatively. Fear of men and
oDportunism. perhaps c6ntemptible no
litical interest. prevent them from
turning toward the whole Of mankind
and shouting In it's face: "Infamies are
committed here! Have you no con
science? Will il go on obdurately "a
slecp?"
RECALLS ORIGIN
OF THE RED CROSS
In 1859 young Swiss engineer Wis.
tied the battle fields of Lombardy and
saw the appalling abandonment OF the
wounded, the French and Piedmontese
as we'll as the Austrian. His heart
ached. and he was moved to pity for
these unfortunates. He was an insig-
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