New Britain herald., 1918-11-25
SAYS TWENTY-SIXTH RECEIVED RAW DEAL
Mass. SenatOr-EleCt Declares
 Regulars Were Jealous

Boston, NOV. 25.-Oft1cerS and men of the 18th (Yankee) Division were forced to bear "contemptible and un- American persecution behind the lines in France, while fighting the Huns in front of them, if the stories which have filtered through to this country from over there are true. This was the report brought back from Washington, by Senator elect David l. Walsh, who has been at the national capitol for some days conferring with high government officials in regard to the persistent rumor prevalent in this section that promotions, demo- tions and transfers Were made in na~ tional guard units in a shady man. ner.
 Hostile to National Guard.
 From his inquiries in Washington MT. Walsh said that he found an 1m- pression that some regular army off, cers have not entertained a friendly and cooperative attitude toward the old National Guard officers. He de- clined to discuss the matter relating to Major General Edwards, former commander of the division, or of Colonel Edward l.. Logan Of Boston, former leader of the 101st Infantry, one of the most formidable parts, be- cause of the delicacy of the sltua- ton.
 We must remember that the per sons who have the evidence and who know the facts are now in France, he said
 He urged that nothing be done to ernbarrass the men we want to help, for they are in the service. The ser iousness of the offence of criticizing superior officers is well known gen ;arallv. and it is believed that MT. WaIshs warning of caution is empha- sized because of this.
 Other Sections Aroused.
 A talk which a reporter had with MT. Walsh after he returned home, brought out an intimation that com plaints of prejudicial treatment are not confined to this section of the country. It is understood that simi- lar demands for inquiry will come from other parts of the country if the information at hand is supported by the facts as later disclosed.
 "Whle in Washington I discussed with several people the situation in the 26th division, A. E. F., particularly to see what could be done, if anything, to have the old officers of this diVl- sion accompany their troops when thevrreturned to America" said MT. Walsh ,.u.-.
 ."The situation is an em mbarassing one because of the disposition of the civil authorities at Washington not to interfere with military orders. Punishment Tinted At. From my inquiries among return ing soldiers and in other directions I find that there seems to be a growing impression that a certain group or groups of regular army officers have not entertained a friendly and co oprh- atiye attitude toward the old National | Guard officers. If this is a fact, then l the friends of the old National Guard 1 can rely upon nothing being left un- l done to see that the officers respon' sible are found out and punished. of course, the best way to handle such situation is to wait for the re- l turn of our troops To take any ner l now would embarrass the men whom we want to help. One thing is centaia and that is that there will be a yer! | strong inquiry into the matter if tht i allegations have any support. l T do not for a moment think tha | the regular army officers in genera 1 have shown any such disposition, bu 1 if certain officers have manifested l prejudice and discrimination agains our own state troops, we will know 1 in time, and action will surely follow
 Had Hard Fight.
 Personally, I am very deeply inter ! ested and have laid and will contfnu, to lay before the proper authoritie 1 in Washington all the information which I have. I have every reasoi to believe that those in auth ority vii not for one moment sanction such ac Il tion.
 Tt is pitiable and sad to think tha as this has gone on. our brave officer and soldiers have had to seal thei lips during all these months, and no only fight the Huns in front, but fin, behind the lines form of persecutol which, if true, is contemptible ant un-American. Let us hope tme a1, evidence will prove that no such dis crimination has existed.