Republican farmer., 1919-07-25
Wants Gen. PerShing
 Brought to Trial for
 Gross InCOmpetenCy
GEN. O'RYAN BACKED COMPLAINTS RELA- TIVE TO CRIMINAL TREATMENT OF
 AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN FRANCE

: Knowledge on the part of the respon Stble officers in command. Complaints were also made by the men question ed on the score of overcrowding, un- sanitary conditions. failure to provide time or facilities to wash. and con ! tinual insults by the guards. These l conditions were a subject of previous l investigation by the inspector of this division prior to September 1, and from the statements of these men 1t appears there was little improvement an conditions during that time, al- l though the matter was officially call- ed to the attention of superior head quarters.
 a. The principal object, however which the investigating officers desire 1 to call to the attention of the com manding general that immediate rem edial action can be had Is the condition of Prison Camp No. 2,where the statements made by these soldiers indicate a condition exists riva1ing the Siberian prison camps, and much worse than existed in German prisoner of war cages. It should be borne in mind that these prisoners are in the main soldiers from the combat divi- sions who are men of above average intelligence, and who are in the main perhaps technically guilty of absence witout leave. Both of the invesugat- ing offices believe absolutely and in 1 toto the statements made them by these soldiers. That much brutality and inhun1an treatment can exist in any institution under the control of Americans is unbelievable, but the ev- idence is overwh elming.
 A. The manner in which the per- 1 sonal property of these men was talk
 en from them and never returned I ! moro important facts of the case, but 1t is a matter of vital importance to
 the soldiers concerned. Attention l is invited to the fact that not only | official decorations and property of l consid erable value was practically | stolen from these soldiers, but articles l of great sentimental value, such as a l soldiers crucifix. the photograph of
 his mother, the photograph of his
 sweetheart, and articles that could
 be of no value to the person into
 whose hands they finally came were
 confscated.
 | "5. Many instances brought to the
 attention of the Investigating officers
 by these soldiers were omitted from
 the sworn statements. including one
 tale of an American prisoner of war
 who returned to Paris after eight
 months in the German prison camp
 and was placed under arrest by the
 military police because he was not
 supplied with travel orders.
 "6. Another phase of the situation which has been omitted from the rec ord for obvious reasons is the fact that these men are drilled in front of the muzzles of machine guns and automatic rifles, a precaution which might be Justified with condemned |
 ed in the American army as part of the routine of an ordinary camp of detention.
 "7. The men are also isolated from the outside world and are not allowed to communicate with their friends or
 superior officers. It was stated by many of the men that many of their comrades, particularly soldiers of the Thirtieth Division, which has fought side by side with the Twenty-seventh tn
 Division during the entire war, are still incarcerated in this prison farm and have sent letters appealing to
 their company and regimenta1 com
 manders for assistance. The only way
 in which they have been able to get
 this mail out was to send 1t by pris- oners leaving the farm.
 } "s. The investigating officers are both men who have been familiar with the penal conditions in New York for many years and are con-
 vinced that the statements of all these men are true and that condi- ton exists on this farm which could
 not be tolerated for a single instant in any institution under control of
 civil authorities"
 In his indorsement of the report. , forwarded with 1t to the Adjutant-
 General of the A. E. F., Gen. O'Ryan
 said:
 . "1. Under date of September 12,
 1918, I forwarded complaints of sim f liar character in relation to the treat ment given some non-commissioned d
 officers of this division by the military , authorities in Paris. The facts re-
 ported by these non-commissioned of ficers were of such character that ] . request the matter be brought to the f attention of the commander in chief f No information has been received ot 9 any action taken in relation thereto
 The foregoing report of the division , l inspector and the Judge Advocate
 who investigated the complaints
 made by the soldiers named in thei1 , | reports, speaks for itself. Two ' | months have elapsed since the occur. 2 renee of the abuses first reported Z. l repeat my former recon y mendation that vigorous action b, , taken in relation to the matters com l plained of, I believe the com mander in chief would wish to b, e personally informed of occurrences O :, this character. SO out of harmony witt . the methods which obtain in our arm, l for the maintenance of discipline.
 request that these papers be show1 O to the chief of staff, American Ex O peditionary Force"
 = In his letter to Secretary Baker Col s Kincaid suggests that the original re - port and its accompanying affidavit e can doubtless be located in the de l. partment files, either at home O. - abroad if careful search is made. l. "It should be of particular value a -- this time," he says. especially as tn e matter of the prison situation in Pari = was first called to the attention O : superior headquarters prior to Sep
 tember l, 1918."