El Nuevo mexicano., 1919-01-02
Story of the C0ddling of SlQckers
AT Camp Funston Under Bakers
Order Told Paper BIZ Taussig

uA1HiihhdL II we pore UP uHuor tn
disgracefu1 circumstances desiring
to fight for our country and willing
to do anything to keep our chances
Of foreign service. We could moi
even tell the story. for the War De
partment issued their most ingeni
ously protective orders IN strictesi
secrecy.
I'm the midst OF these conditions
we read a circular taken from an
Director in which was a letter from
Secretary Baker, written to Presi
dent Wilson, in which he said:
We r now doing absolutely
all that public opinion win stand in
the interest Of Conscientious objec
tors and others whose views do moi
happen to coincide with those Of the
vast majority of their fellow coun
trymen'
I'VE realized Secretary Baker was
telling the TRUTH
Forced to Separate Prisoners
Major Tussig told or having ia
segregate g~uardhOuse prisOners-put
ting directors in one section and the
loyal Americans who had committed
minor military offenses in another
section.
1.-THE situation grew dangerous.
We became alarmed lest the loyal
Americans, who were not bound by
special War Department orders,
might whip the holy tar out or the
DIRECTORS.
Eventually the German prison
diary written by the directors, was
prepared In some way and sent TO
New York for publication. 1t was
a deliberate mess OF lies, but fell
on receptive ears when It reached
the pacifist element in the War De
partment.
BRIG. Gen. Fl. o. Williams, in.
spector general. came to Camp Fun
ston November 8 to investigate the
complaints of mistreatmept Of OBJ
%iectors He came under orders Of
Secretary Baker and did his work
wen.
Believe Directors stories
He questioned the directors and
gave their stories credence. He
questioned me November ~.
Ellis attitude was hostile from the
start. He at once gave the impress
sion he believed all allegations. He
left the impression he was trying to
frame my answers. or did not desire
to hear the whole story. as he often
stopped me when / attempted to an
swer questions fully.
Some Of the things for which he
seemed to censure me severely we're
the giving OF cold baths to directors
and the removal Of their beds from
their quarters.
Cold baths were given, sometimes
several times a day. They were dis
ciplinary measures and were given
only after medical officers had said
they would not be injurious to the
directors.
Removed Beds for Cleanliness
Beds were removed from their
quarters. After the directors made
unbelievable and most unsanitary
messes OF their beds, I ordered them
removed until such time as they
would agree to keep them clean
The measure was effective.
Il know for a positive fact that
thousands of honest soldiers have
slept without beds or blankets at
Camp Funston in the early days OF
the camp. when equipment was sore
lacking. That such a privation
as a disciplinary measure should
arouse the war department is incon-
sistent.'
Knew Of No Abuse
MAJOR Taussig declares there was
no physical abuse Of the men that
he knows Of.
Il visited the guardhouse at least
once every day; passed it as often
Is twenty times on some days; ques-
Toned the men under me; talked
with various officers Of the day:
.alked with medical officers who
examined the DIRECTORS and
With camp officials who often visit
ID the guardhouse. Yet I have heard
" no abuse except from the mouths
# the directors and their hackers"
The more recent developments, in
the discharge OF himself and
daor White, which he terms the
straw that broke the camel's back"
re told by Major Taussig.
Nothing was heard OF the report
# General Williams until December
2. when an order came that Major
White and l were to be discharged
honor. Three other regular
rmy officers we're included in that
rider. They were officers who had
incurred the displeasure Of the OBJ
Three DismlssaIs Withdrawn
THE dismissal Of the three regu-
ar army officers was withdrawn, as
heir dismissal could only be made
fter court-martial. Being reserve
Ulcers there was nothing in the reg
lations to protect us from summary
ischarge.
However, camp officials believed
ur record was good and believed
leer had been a clerical mistake in
us discharged without
on0r. A request for confirmation Of
was made Of the war depart
tent.
rThe second dismissal order came
,ur days later. We requested a
burt Of inquiry, laying our request
the camp commander. He for (
arded our request to Washington,
ut before action could be taken on (
le court of inquiry another influ- /
went to work in Washington |
everal congressman and senators ]