New Britain herald., 1917-08-24
IRISH STARVED BY
 PRUSSIAN> GATORS
Gerard Says Germans Have No
 Love for CeltS .....

Chicago, Aug. 24.-Murder and or ganized starvation are features of the welcome that the Germans give Irish prisoners captured in battle, to show the great affection the Teutons have for the Celtic race. James w. Gerard, former ambassador to Germany, yes- terday sent a message to Irishmen in Chicago, who were under the impress sion that the Irish are great favor ties with the Germans.
 If the Irish people of Chicago could see, as l saw, the way the Irish prisoners were treated; if they could talk with the prisoners, and if they could see the way they were dying in prison camps from starvation and tuberculosis, they would lose all sym pathy for the Germans" said Mr. Gerard.
 American prisoners will probably be treateed about the same way The Germans care no more about the Irish than they do about the English The Irish prisoners were collected in one camp at Limberg-abour 2,5OO of them. The Germans sent Sir Roger Easement to the camp to enlist men for his Irish rebellion. He got about 30 to go with him. When he went back to the camp for more volunteers the Irishmen chased him away, and there was nearly a riot for a time.
 Irish Being Shot Down.
 II was given secret information by Germans that the guards were shoot ing and killing Irish prisoners. One prisoner was killed even while I was trying to investigate the reported murder of another Irishman. The killing of one man was concealed from me, and there is no telling how many other Irishmen were shot down by their German guards. When I tried to get information I was informed that an investigation was under way, and 1 never was able to get any satisfactory explanation of the shootings. In one case the guard was exonerated and had the charming taste to attend the funeral of his victim. I made re- peated demands to see the prisoners who were present when the men were killed, but was never able to make any headway."
 MT. Gerard has cancelled his en- gaRement to speak in Milwaukee last night, but hopes to be able to go to Minneapolis for a labor meeting to- night. He Is still confined to his bed at the Blackstone hotel, and while his attack of lumbago is losing it's hold his physician gave orders that his patient must not attempt to attend the Mill waukee demonstration.
 MT. Gerard has warned the United States government that it should be prepared to emeliorate the condition of United States soldiers taken hopes that there will be none.
 Their treatment will probably vary according to the disposition of the camp commanders" said MT. Gerard. "They will be victims of individual outbursts of hate, the same as the English and Irish have been. This country has a bureau to take care of the interests of the prisoners.
 "Ellis Drese, who was on my staff in Berlin, is now in Rerne Switzer- land, in charge of the American Cross a list of articles that should be secured and forwarded to the bureau for immediate use if any Americans are captured.
 "The Germans will not feed Ameri- can prisoners-that is, give them enough to eat-and this country must furnish food. They should also be given sweaters, heavy shoes, under wear. overcoats, etc"