The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-07-06
INTERNATIONAL CRUELTY.

INTERNATIONAL CRUELTY.
We have Photographic evidence, we
have the word of an army of correspon
dents, we have the confirmation OF diplo-
matte agents, of the consideration with
which German prisoners of war are treated
in both the receiving stations Immediately
behind the lines, and in the remote concen-
tration camps We have similar evidence
rs to the inhumanity of German treatment
Of subiugated populations and prisoners of
war. Ambassador Gerard's work to allie
viate conditions when America was fight
lag valiantly to preserve neutrality, are too
we'll known to require elaboration. That
this treatment is not due to lack of facili-
ties, but is the result of studied spite, an
ingenious p;ling Of horror upon horror that
would have done credit to the tOrturerS of
the middle ages, is shown by the following
narrative, summarized from an account in
the London Times, of the capture and
treatment of a troop Of Australians, two
oi whom managed to make their escape.
After being sent to the receiving station
hack Of the line, the Australians were first
rihed by the Uhlans, then turned into d
church for the night, without blankets, and
with only fifth of loaf of bread for their
dinner and supper. The next days ration
VAS larger, because they were sent on a
org march to another station. It consisted
of fourth of a loaf. The next day it APP
preached something resembling gluttony-
a third of loaf and a cup Of coffee. That
they might be guarded from the effects OF
CVer-cating, the guard was instructed to
prevent kind-hearted populace handing
them food:
Is the column reached the yi!ags the French in
The Feneh YOU'D giRe yo9 ANYTHING hey had one Of
the men said little girl ran out from cottage
bread the, used throw into the gutter Erenehm2n
b aGs s 9pse s R WaP and Se the ps over the
o S Rsf rss 70 c s ad PoRd her an
his arm to pass it 10 our men A German soldier was
Watching MIN out Of s me corner S OF af fye An Ga
a1stfaians hoWsvsp h1ngTy or hiTsty could mot bear
to bring such treatment on the Fench for their KIND
drink
Arrived at Lille, the Australians founC
that an exquisite torture, modelled on The
Black Hole of Calcutta, had been prepared
Tor them. For five nights and six days
they were confined 40 each, in room:
5ox2O feet Floor tiled, no covering, ne
heat, dead winter. For sanitary conven
fence, only barrel in corner, uncovered
The days rations consisted of one slice o
bread with some fermented mangolds anC
coffee. The man who carried the barre
down to empty when he asked the guart
for glass of water, was refused. No one
was allowed to wash until the last day
when they were cleaned up to leave.
1t was then that a German corpora
asked the Australians if they knew WIN
they had been thus treated. You ma.
write" he replied, when they answered il
the negative, and tell your people and YOU
government all about it-just what ha
happened and say that you are here as
punishment. Seven weeks ago the German
government wrote to the British govern
inent about the employment Of prisoner
near the line, and they have not yet receive
an answer"
Doubtless the German soldiers and tn
German civilians believe this-nisinforma
ton is their principal contact with tn
world, for misnformatiOn is the onl
means by which autocracy can force it
will upon suffering people, who naturall