New-York tribune., 1919-12-11
Beaten Up ON
Detzer7s Order
Soldiers Swear
Two A. E. F. Men Testify at
Courtmartial of Captain
They Receive Black Eyes
for Refusing to Confess
Startling Facts Promised
Counsel for Accused Officer
Will Attempt to Prove
Harsh Acts We're Justified

Harsh Acts We're Justified
Black eyes and bruised lips were
frequent among soldiers held as pris-
oners by the 30Sth Military Police Com
pany at LIE Mans. France, according to
witnesses testifying at the trial of
Captain Karl W. Deter, formerly COM
mandcr of the outfit, before general
court martial at Governors Island yes
terday
The most detailed testimony on al
legged brutal treatment by Captain
lams, of Corning, Iowa. Williams tes-
titled he had been slapped and cursed
by Captain Deter and had been Sc
verely beaten by the captains nom
commissioned officers
The trial adjourned at 4:sO p. m.,
and will reconvene at 10 O'Clock this
morning. Major William E. Kelly,
Judge advocate, who is conducting the
prosecution, says many witnesses are
on hand from all parts of the country.
he says startling revelations will be
made to-day.
Counsel's Protest Overruled
Lieutenant Thomas L. Heffernan,
counsel for Captain Deter, said yes
terday that an effort will be made to
produce in the captains behalf reputa-
pie officers and men familiar with con-
dltlons at lie Mans.
hen the court martial opened Lieu
tenant Hctfernnn questioned the rclia-
bility of witnesses summoned to testify
against Captain Deter. His objection
was ovcrruled. 1t was his contention
that the accused had been arraigncd on
some of the charges November 25.
Lieutenant Heffernan declareo that lie
Mans was a port Of debarkation for
thousands Of men, and that among the
nun Der were many criminals charged
o.. the French with murder, highway
robbery and other crimes. To curb
'his element. the lieutenant said, a
military police company was organized
and Captain Deter placed in command.
In carrying out his work, counsel de-
clarcd the cartain incurred the enmity
Of many soldiers.
Says Captain Slapped Him
When he took the stand Private
VIII ans dec'a ed that he had been
arrested by Captain Dctzcr's company.
charged with theft. 81 was brought
before the captain" testified the W.T.
ness "and he asked me if had stolen
government property l told him no.
and he said | was a damn liar. Then
So goant Madden 1T me- Thev asked
me some more questions. and Captain
Deter SLAPPED ME. Sergeant Hoyt hit
me few more times. and the captain
told them to take me out and make me
come clean. They took me out and
beat me up"
Williams declared he saw other SOL
dlcr-prsoners bearing marks of rough
treatment, such as black eyes and
bruised lips. He said or one occasion
Captain Deter wa 'ked behind him with
a revolver and clicked it constantly.
On cross examination by Lieutenant
Heffernan Williams admitted that he
had been convicted of being "a w. O..
L." for two months.
where did you stay during those
two months %
"With girl" replied the witness.
Signed Confession
Williams testified that under press.
ure by Captain Detzer he signed a con-
'esslon that he had stolen government
roperty. although he was innocent.
ther than get your face slapped ."
sked counsel for the defense
II would rather than get killed." re-
lied the witness. II thought they'd
i'll me if refused"
Private Thomas j. McAdams, now
tationed at Governors Island de-
, clared that he was arrested in the lie
Mans area, taken to headquarters of
the 30Sth Military Police Company and
given beating. "They gave me
black eye, busted my lip and bruised
tain Deter asked me whvI hadn't
told the truth. When replied that
Rad told the truth Sergeant Hovt said:
Captain, you go out 50 | can give him
! some more For two days | was kept
| sitting in chair and didn't get any
thirg to eat the first evening and the
next day. ] saw another prisoner with
black eye"
Denies Insulting Superior
"Did you ever use insulting language
70 .H the captain" he was asked. -
would have been knocked down if
had"
Thomas Gossett. of Palestine, Tex.
Who served at LIE Mans as a corporal
of the 308th Military Police Company
and who has been discharged from the
service, declared that Mechanic Will
liam 4. Warner, Of the same company.
had been forced to stand at attention
from twelve to fourteen hours a day,
ana during tnlS limc was given moth
ing to eat.
GLOW many days did he stand at at
tention?" asked Major Kelly.
1.-TWO or three days at least" said
the witness.
Gossctt testified that he hadn't seen
Captain Deter strike anybody. but he
: did see Bugler Thomas McAdams with
couple of black eyes and busted
up face"
Samuel G. Roth. of Chicago, a desk
sergeant at LIE Mans, declared he saw
Mechanic Warner stand at attention
for an entire day. Warner later con-
fessed the theft of pistol, Roth de-
clared, but the confession was false.
Warner was beaten up the next day
! by Sergeants Madden and Hoyt," the
former sergeant testified. "Captain
Deter on two occasions ordered that
no prisoners be mistreated, but later
violated his own order by striking a
man."
1t is expected that the trial of Cap
tain Deter will continue a week. When
his case is> disposed of the military
authorities say they will try Sergeant
y. S. Madden and Sergeant Frank L.
Hoyt.
Anxious Mother Slabs Self