New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-04
Mental Torture Is
Used on Prisoner
By German Jailers
Former Canadian Postmas-
ter Tell. Of Cruelties
Used by His Captors
People Losing Faith
Describes Experience Before
He Was Exchanged for
Princes Brother

AN ATLANTIC PORT, Aug. s.-Dr.
r. S. Beland, Member Of Parliament
for Quebec and former Postmaster
General of Canada, who spent three
wears in the German military prison of
stadtvogiet and was recently ex-
changed for a brother Of Prince Won
Bilow. arrived here from England TO-
day on a British liner.
He was not abused physically by the
Germans, he said, but they subjected
him and other prisoners t. mental tort
ure that was 4 supreme test OF what
the mind Of man can endure.
His wife lay dying in Antwerp, not
many miles from where he was I'M
orisoned. The news Of her condition
reached him through letters from
friends. The German military authori-
ties knew that it was true, but they
only scotfed at the idea OF permitting
him to 90 to her bedside.
u was in Antwerp at the outbreak
Of the war" he said, and upon learn
ing of Great Britain's announcement
70 ioin France | offered my services
70 the Canadian government. While
waiting for Canadian troops to come
over | attended the wounded British
and French soldiers as they came IN
and was at the defence of Liege. While
attending the British marines at Ant
werp was taken prisoner and sent
to the Stadtvogiet prison. For tive
years never passed beyond the stone
walls
"About eleven months ago my health
failed and they permitted me to walk
for three hours twice q week in the
garden, under guard. This was done
only on condition that l speak to no
one My wife lay Ill not far from me.
They knew it and refused to let me
20 to her I begged night and day to
let me see her before she died. but
they would not listen. Finally, they
told me it would be of no use to plead
further, as she had died eleven days
before.
Recently there was an agreement
made whereby men over fortytive could
be exchapged. | told them I was forty
eight, but they replied with the re-
mark that | had political connections
in Canada. The close confinement for
two years, with nothing to do, affected
many prisoners. | was q little more
fortunate than the others about me be-
cause was the prison physician, ex-
cept during the two-hour daily visits
Of the German doctor"
Or. Beland said that up to and dur
ing the offensive Of March the German
people we're confident Of victory. This
confidence had been maintained, he
said, ever since the conclusion of the
Russian peace treaty at Brest- Litovsk
Gust now said DR.. Beland, this
confidence has been shaken. due to the
counter offensive of the Americans.
The food situation in Germany is
serious and the people are suffering
much. My food was good because il
was forwarded from England. Hind
enburg is regarded as a diety BY the
German people. Whenever be makes
success the Kaiser runs to the front
and sends back word to the German
people that he, Wilhelm, is there and
everything is going on splendidly. I
saw Hlndenburg once from the lawn
OF the Garden Strasse The Grown
Prince is not liked at all in Germany.
\ LETT my German prison at o. m.
On day l. and got to the border at
noon the next day. | was EXCHANGED
1or brother OF Prince Won Buelow,
IN England"
Or. Beland said he was commanded
70 spend an hour with King george
ana met the monarch at Buckingham
Palace After resting a few months in
canada DR.. Beland said he would re-
urn to the Canadian forces on the
West front.