Bisbee daily review., 1919-07-16
Six Former Soldiers Accuse Officers. of U me c.e S S ar y Cruelty During Confinement While In France.
Lieut.. "Hard-BoiIed" Smith And Top KiCkerS Mentioned Frequently in Charges; Spe- ciaI House Committee to Sitt Charges Thoroughly.

WASHINGTON, July 15.-Six for mer American soldiers testifying to- day before a special house committee, Investigating alleged cruelties to mil itary prisoners in France, declared that merciless assaults were commit ted without provacation on the pris- oners by arrogant officers in charge of the prisons and camps. Only one of the witnesses, all of whom were charged with being absent without leave, were convicted, the others hav- ing been acquitted or the charge dis missed.
 "The Bastile," "The Stockade," "Pris- on Farm Number g." and "St. Ann's Hotel" also known as "The Brig" were the places named by the wit nesses as the scene of the alleged cruelties, which were said to have eX- tended over several months in 1918. Some officers in charge of the prison camps, it was said, had been convicted by courtmartial and others were awaiting trial.
 Lieutenant Hard Boiled" Smith, one of the prison camp officers, was mentioned frequently, swhile others named were fLieutenants Mason and Sullivan, and Sergeants Ball, Wolf meyer and Bush.
 When Lieutenant Hard Boiled" Smith was tried at Tours early this year, a hundred witnesses appeared against him, and he was convicted, testified Sidney Kemp. New York City.
 Fifty witnesses, who I can name. will verify everything said here and tell more," asserted Kemp.
 Several of the soldiers testified that in addition to being beaten, food in small amounts and of poor quality was supplied, and that the bedding was poor, sometimes the mattress be, ing in mud under a small tent.
 "A prisoner was smiling, and an of ficer says, Take that smile off, or will '" A. D. Mendelburg, Baltimore who served with the base hospital testified.
 Charles Goldberg. New York city, z corporal in Company G. 3Sth Infantry said that while at "The Brig" he was knocked down by an officer and one oi his teeth knocked out when he refused to surrender his money belt.
 "Once when I was scrubbing a floor. z sergeant swung club at my head ever. five seconds" testified Goldberg.
 Paul Boggs. Baldwin. N. r. 31Sth Fielt Signal battalion. said men with the farm were often so hungry that they "wer, glad to eat dirty potato peelingings." H' said he dipped tin cup in swill barre so as to get some grease that he woult eat with a relish"
 Instead of giving a command. it wa generally given with & club" asserted Boggs. who said he saw at least 50 mel beaten.
 Alvin Bates. Brooklyn. who was witl , the headquarters troops. second army , said whenever "there was a formation. man was beaten up every five minutes at the prison farm. He and Boggs sai that a Pole. serving in the Americai army. was brutally beaten. and soon aft erward the prisoner cut his throat wit , razor.
 Medical inspection was farce" sal Bates. referring to the farm. You wen . in one door and were kicked out an other
 George L. Pallitto. Newark. N. J.. priv ate in Company NJ. 18th Infantry. tol of many cruelties in the prisons France. and admitted that he was abser
 without leave. for which he was ser
 tenced.