East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-09-20

hitherto been Tolerated. Nothing cuu'
tribuled more 60 our decentralization than
this brutal destruction ot the fruit q
many efforts and sacrifices.
These instructions were almost imne'
dintcly followed hy orders moro urgent.
They said that the economical situation
of Germany demanded the intensive uti.
lization u The prisoners. that important
results must be obtained, and that 70
this effect force should b. employed u
persuasion remained without effect
The era of violencrs had come back.
In the same year. 1916. In the month of
August, the detachment chiefa, or kom.
mando- Fahrer. who depended on Nun
sterlager. received circulars signed b.
Feldwebci-IAentenan Brugmnn. actiuR for
Oherst .Lieutnant won Baumbach. the head
II our camp. was able to procure an
original, and one Of us succec,ied In send
ing Il 70 France 10 be sent to the Deputy
Henry Cell.
This circular said that IN many Kom.
mandos the work furnished,by the prison-
ers was insufficient. that anyhow an in
crease IN tho returns must be obtained
Against those who would snow themselves
stubborn. actiou should be taken in the
following way;-
1. Their correspondence shall be re
tanned: 10 be shown TO them but not de-
livered.
? Retain their packages, but allow
them 60 see them.
3. Use force. such rs beating but in a
way hs not TO wound The ,prisoncrs or
render them unfit for work.
4. Should this means provctWithout ef-
feet. make use of tae gun.
The consequence Of this kind.of orders.
given 20 non commissioned Officers
naturally tending 10 brutality, could mott
fail to bring about . recrudesconce of bad
treatment An increasing Number Of
murders were committed. And the author
of the orders. although thcs most humane
officer had known during,my captivity.
had beyond doubt foreseen ii. but be had
above all to see to It that the prisoners
made good returns In tlH salt mines, te
cite only ore example. the worker who
had been compelled 20 fin ten cars nos
had 10 fill fifteen. later twenty. and
finally twenty-five II the Germans re-
quired il, he must filh twenty five. Such
was the virtue of the,regime Of violence /
then introduced
Al the beginning Of March. 1917. there |
arrived even more categorical instructhsns
from Berlin. without distinction of age
or rank. or apfitndes. the common sol 1
Tiers. prisoners whaallhd remained in the /
lamps ~ Indispensable and were en-
played IN various services. had 20 be seat
N kommando sad replaced by non-com-
stoned offioerB and invalids Even the
'ick had 20 work. according TO their
strength. and be admitted into the hos
'ifals aud inflTmur ries only wheD really in-
apahle Of any effort. the criterion being /
J Temperature, Of over IS degrees {. for
xeAhption. Once cured. they had the
lay after leaving ,the hospital to be sent
o work.
Al Soltau. where I,stayed tor a while.
hese orders were literally executed. and
u few days all priFahRS were replaced
y non-commissioHed offhcers and sent in
commando. Engineers, lawyers, stu.
entE, teachers. accountants. tiaey all had
~ and with them all the men Of feeble
or afflicted with chronic dis
ases that a. such were reooguized'by the
hysician, and as such classed in cate h
DRY III. /,
The prisoners were, as a matter Of fact, L
royided each with q number of validity
%. ] siEuified good Tor every Kind Of 4
orb, No. . good for field work. No.
pod for light work. No. 4 unfit II
] must add that these validity numbers Z
lowed various notifications. which we're !
Idicatsd BY letters Thus thereswere No. !