Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1917-02-09
Conscientious Directors Find
Difficult Time in Their
Army Life.
CRUELTY AMONG CHARGES
Four Non-commlssloned officers Are
Tried Before courtmartiaI and
New Light is Thrown on Man.
ner Of Drilling.


perienced by the British military au-
thorities in the handling Of that par
ticalar variety of British recruits who
can themselves conscientious Objec-
tors" The term itself was originated
by Mr.. Asquith at the time when As
prime minister he introduced into the
house of commons the famous cOnScrlp-
tion bill. It will be recalled that In
announcing the fact that all British
subjects between the ages of eighteen
and forty-one would be compelled to
join the colors Mr.. AsQuith included
among those who would be exempted
men who could prove that they had a
conscientious objection" TO carrying
arms or to taking life.
In the course Of the last year large
number of those conscientious objec-
tors" have claimed exemption, and
while very few have been successful In
winning dispensation from military
service the majority have been incor-
porated in special regiments which are
used abroad or in England for special
Tabor, which, although not involving
the carrying or the use of arms, is OF
national Importance in connection with
the war.
The officers who have been placed IN
charge Of these special units have been
experiencing considerable amount OF
trouble in the handling of these men,
and a great number Of the insubordl-
mates have been courtmartialed ana
sentenced to prison terms.
The latest case to come before the
public is that Of four non-commission-
ed officers, who were brought before o
courtmartial on charges of illtreating
private soldiers Of the battalion. The
case Is particularly interesting mas
much as 1t throws d new light on the
manner In which the drills for new
recruits take place.
III Treatment Charged.
The cases arose out of allegations OF
i'll treatment made by Charles Dukes
and George Beardsworth, who are
conscientious objectors,' at the time
of their trial for disobedlence Of mill
tary orders. "A war Office inquiry into
the case of these men followed, with
the result that the non-commissioned
officers implicated were ordered to be
tried by courtmartial. The accused
were Corporal Thomas Cheers, Lance
Corporal J. w. A. Williams, Lance Cor
poral j. w. Williams and acting Ser
geant Fred Marshall.
The first to be tried was Marshall,
and he was charged with illtreating a
soldier in Birkenhead Park on August
% last by forcibly compelling Private
CHARLES Dukes to execute certain gym
nastic exercises and that in doing so
he used unnecessary violence, thereby
causing pain and suffering to Private
Dukes.
Captain Rimmer said that IN spite
OF the refusal Of witnesses who had
given evidence at the inquiry to at
tend that court Brigadier General Ed
wardes had directed that the court
lmust be held, although il was as re-
sult Of the statements Of these wit
nesses that the charges against nom
commissioned officers were preferred.
On being brought before the command
ing officer in order that he might take
ii summary of their evidence Dukes
and Beardsworth refused to give evil
dence. They had been summoned to
that courtmartial and had emphatical-
iy refused to attend.
Witnesses Tell Story.
Eight civilian witnesses had been
xubpenaed and from two of these let
ters had been received stating that
they declined to attend. Under these
circumstances he would proceed with
what evidence he had and would call
Corroral Baker, who was the gym
nastlc instructor Of the regiment and
who would identify the prisoner Mar
shall as the man who handled Dukes
and Beardsworth on the occasions
naned and who must have illtreated
them If such i'll treatment did occur.
Corporal Robert Baker gave evil
dence TO the effect that he was In
Birkenhead Park on August y IN
Acharge Of the gymnastic party. Private
CHARLES Dukes was brought to him for
tyaming by the accused and Corporal
" w. Williams and he was put
through the gymnastic exercises as
sisted by those two.
Samuel Lindop of Arthur street,
Bjrllenhead. spoke Of being In the park
watching the gymuastic exercises. he
saw four soldiers told off to shove an
otbnr one about. but he could not iden-
t,fv the man who was being showed
ohout The man was rushed up to the
wanting pole and then rushed to the
.yoter Jump, where he was partly
sbyown In. The soldiers were knock
snu him about, but he could not identi-
IN any Of them.
Arthur G. Berry of Frederick street,
Tatchford. Warrington, trade union
hranch secretary of the National
TiaIon of General Workers, said he
so,v Dukes on August "a and he was
HI very distressed condition. Indeed,
- Ataafl,y t,,opnGsihle for him