New-York tribune., 1918-05-03
TRENCH Veteran
Booming Loan Is
Called Deserter
Sergeant Major Lilly, of
Canadian Army, Arrested
for Second Time

"We're doing our bit over there"
said Sergeant Major Robert Lilly of
the Canadian army to his audience in
the Grand Central Terminal yesterday
afternoon. "All we ask you to do is
help the great cause by buying bonds.
Help the men who are fighting for you
in France"
In the crowd that listened to the
earnest words CT one Of the fighting
men stood Detectives Ford and Gull
hane, of the United States Intelligence
Bureau. When Lilly had finished and
those who had been moved by his ap-
peal were pressing forward to buy
bonds the detectives motioned to the
Canadian.
moment later Sergeant Major
Lilly. formerly q student in Leland
Stanford, Jr., University, who at the age
OF twenty-five had fought his way from
the ranks to the highest post held by
non-commissioned officer; who had
spent twelve months in the trenches
and had had two fingers cut away in
hand-to-hand combat, was under ar
rest for the second time as q deserter.
He is accused, in addition, with attack
ing the guards, who were set over him
while he was awaiting court martial in
Canada. and escaping in the uniform
of one of them.
A psychologist might be able to un-
ravel the tangled threads of Lilly's
when the regiment in which he had
fought so valiantly was ordered for
ward to meet the enemy once more, yet
lmpelled him to speak here for the
Liberty Loan, under his own name and
in uniform, when he must have known
that Ford and Culhane, who arrested
him at the request of the Canadian
government, when he first reached
here six weeks ago, we're after him.
To the detectives and to others who
have come in contact with the straight,
thing is mystery. Lilly has collected
at least 100000 for the loan here. He
took in $4,000 of this in one night at
uptown hotels.
The sergeant major was still in Le-
land Stanford when the great war be-
gan. He left and went to Canada.
where he enlisted as private, and
shortly thereafter was ordered overseas
with his regiment. He fought at
"Wipers." in the Somme push" and in
other great battles, and his courage
and coolness under fire advanced him
to post usually held by veteran
grown old in the service
AT last, in hand-to-hand struggle
in the trenches, he was wounded for
the first time, losing two fingers, and
was sent to the hospital to recover. He
returned to his command, only to
learn that it had been ordered back
to the hell Of the trenches, The he
deserted.
In some manner, he got aboard an
American transport, and was broupht
to New York. In the meantime. word
Of his desertion was cabled to Canada
and the United States authorities were
asked to be on the lookout for him
Detectives Ford and Culhane arrested
hlm, and he was sent to the military
PRISON at Toronto, to await court mar
tial.'
The court martial was not held. for
ten days ago Lilly knocked ont his
guard, stripped him of his uniform.
bound and gagged him and left him in
the cell. while he himself walked from
the prison. At the gate, however ha
was recognized by the sentries. There
bayoneted, but he was free md "ao ra'
turned to New York.
+aan nas WAS ABOUT q week ago. Since
.nen Sergeant Major Lilly, tighter and
iaeserter, has been haranguing crowds
mere on the Liberty Loan, working day
ana night to aid the cause on which
ne turned his back. He is held at Po-
nee headquarters while the Canadian
@usnoT'tles are being notified.