New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-30
Major Tanssig Says Baker
''Proiccted'' Unruly "Con-
scicnt;ous Objeciors''
Cruelty 10 Men Denied
Dishonorable Discharge Was
Modified 10 Prevent ANY
Quiz, He Declares

hANSAS CITY. Dec. 29.-The story
Of the conscientious objector problem
at Camp Funston, which resulted in
the discharge of two officers from the
United States army and the disclosure
by them of confidential orders from
Secretary Baker giving protection to
the so-called conscientious directors -
YRS told tonight hy Major Gustav
Taussig. one Of the discharged officers.
Major Taussig said he had known for
year that the defiant and unruly OBJ
lectorS were being protected BY War
Department officials. knowing this and
mat mistreatment of DIRECTORS would
probably call forth censure from the
department., he said. he made everv
effort to give the DIRECTORS the sort Of
freatment expected
Says Baker Changed Mind
Major Taussig said that he believed
secretary Baker had changed his dis
charge from without honor" to "hon-
orable~ to hush his announced inten-
ton TO initiate congressional investi-
cation OF paclfst elements in the War
Department
Our discharge was an honorable
discharge" Major Taussig began.
peaking for himself and Major Frank
;. White, camp judge advocate. who
was dismissed with him.
That must be understood distinctly
before my motive in talking is plain.
50 far as my army record goes, it is
as clean as man could desire, hence
! nave no personal reasons to actuate
ne IN disclosing the inner workings
Of the conscientious objector problem.
do so only as a matter of public
Tsclfare. believing the American peo-
PIE have right to know what STUN
ohng blocks were placed in the way of
he army by the War Department it
sef. Also, desire to be understood
clearly as saying the War Department
alone as have no complaint to
make OF any other part of the govern
ment.
AS head Of the military police, to
Which position I was assigned upon at
tachment to Camp Funston. came in
contact with the conscientious obiec-
tors.
Cnruly Directors Confined
he DIRECTORS who were defiant and
unruly were confined in the provost
guard house. They were an irreligious
class and very disagreeable to deal
NTH. The real religious DIRECTORS gave
contact with them. The class in the
guard house lost no opportunity to
defy military authority. but we we're
helpless in correcting them.
year ago | knew they were pro
'ccted by War Department officials.
intentionally or unintentonally, but
effectively nevertheless
"Reahzlng protection was being
given the objectcrs. 7. fer one. felt
certain there would be an eventual
vreaking OF War Department wrath
on the first officer who gave the least
eycuse for accusations Of mistreatmen+
90 DIRECTORS.
Tried to Please Baker
Knowing that. used every effort
. give The cbiectors the kindly. courte-
Gus treatment the War Department de
I anded The men under me treated the
directors as courteously as ed-blood-
81 Americans possibly could treat those
nom they knew were deliberately at
'elnPtng TO undermine the morale Of
no army.
Notwithstanding what we believed
Were successful efforts to keep within
ne .parlor rules laid down by the
war Department in connection with the
'DJectors, we were threatened by the
directors with vengeance through Sec
,etary Baker and Assistant Secretary
Neppel- Even their wives visited US
mo warned US Of departmental re-
}enge.
cold baths we're given. sometimes
'evcral times a day. They were dis
ciplinary measures and were given only
alter medical officers lad said thew
"ouid no. be injurious to the objectors
ne dismissal of the three regular