The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-14

two officers were tried by a French
court martial. charged with pllaging
and sentenced to be degraded from
their rank and transported to Cayenne
(the Devils island Of the Dreytus
easel.
The Germans made strong repre-
sensations, and our very skilled am
bassador in Paris. the Honorable will
liam c. sharp, took up the matter with
the foreign office and succeeded in pre-
venting the transportation of the off,
GERS. The sending of the officers and
men, however. into a military prison
where they were treated as ccnvScts
caused great Indignation throughout
Germany. The officers had many and
powerful connections In their own
country who took UP their cause.
There were bitter articles in the Ger
man press and caricatures and car
toons were published.
sent Mr. Rives TO Parts and told
him not to leave until he had seen
these officers. He remained in Paris
some weeks and, finally. through Mr..
sharp obtained permission to visit the
officers in the military prison Later
the French showed a tendency to be
lenieut In this case. but it was hard
to find a way for the wrench govern
ment to back down gracefully. Schier-
staedt having become insane in the
meantime. q very clever way out Of the
difficulty was suggested, | believe. by
Mr.. sharp. schierstaedt having been
found To be insane was presumably in
sane at the time of the patrols wan
derines In the forest Of Fontaluebleau.
AS he WAS the senior officer. she other
officer and the meU under him W ere not
responsible for oheying his commands.
t The result was that Scnwerin and the
men Of the patrol were put in regu-
& lar prison camp and Schierstaedt was
very kindly sent BY the French back
I 10 Germany. where he recovered hts
! reason sufficiently To be able 10 come
! lind thank ne for tile efforts made on
his behalf
/ I made every endea vor SO far as It
. Law in my power to obliee the Ger
( mans. We helped them in the ex-
/ change Of prisoners and the care OF
/ German property IN enemy countries.
There were rumors In Berlin that
! Germans taken as prisoners in Ger
( man Africa colonies ware forced 10
! work in the sun. watched and beaten
by coiored guards This WIS taken M
by one OF the grand dukes in Mech
+ lenbUrg. who had been governor OF To
eoland and wl+o also look great In
terest in sending clothes. etc to these
prisoners. Germany demanded that
the prisoners in Africa be cent TO a
more temperate climate.
Ro4ALgN BUSTED
WITH PRISONERS AFFAIRS
Another royalty who was husied
with the prisoners affairs was Prince
Max of Baden Hit is heir to the throne
Of Baden. although not son Of the
=, reigning duke He is very popular
and. for nay part ! admired him
greatly He travels with Emerson $
! essays in his pocket. and keeps W
with the thought and progress Of all
countries. Baden viii he indeed happy
in having such Il ruler
Prince Max was man so reason
2 able SO human, that understand that
Won Jagow was in favor of putting
him at the head Of a central depart
! ment for prisoners of war. 7 agreed
with Won Jagow that in such case all
would go smoothly and umanely
Naturally Won Jagow could only mildly
= hint At the desira bill Of this appoint
nent prince. heir to one Of the
thrones of Germany. with the rank oil
: general in the srmy. he seemed ideally
= fitted for such a position. but, unfor-
! tuuatcly. the opposition of the army
and particularly OF the representative
! corps comma aders, was so great thai
= Won Jarow told me the plan was i'm.
Y possible Of realization. l am sure Il
! Prince Max had been at the head Of
a such a department Germany would no
now he suffering from the odum o.
! mistreating it's prisoners, and that the
- o00, zoe prisoners of war In Germany
= would not return, to their homes Inn
4 bued with an undy!ng hate.
l. Prince Max was very helpful in thu
e organization OF the American mission