The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-14
] AIs,lkS. RAy 5 Q(!|!....
J. LAND On WHICH HER
| SOLDIERS bATTLED
Sensational Statements
/ By Returned War De-
| partrnent Officials.
! PROBE PROBABLE
Charge Is Made That
! American Army Had
/ to Pay for Water
! from Spring.
PROBE PROBABLE

Washington, March ls.--,As . re-
suit OF information which has been
brought from France by oflciais Of
the auditing bureau OF the war de-
partment. It can be Authoritattveiy
stated that congress will be asked TO
amounts paid by the United States to
the French government during the
time American troops were fighting
on French soil
The Information has been given to
senator's during the past few days by
these officials. many OF whom are now
oflt OF the service and merely passed
through Washington on their way TO
their home. Documentary evidence
including copies OF vouchers for soma
OF tho payments. have accom- panied
the oral statements.
The evidence Is said to show that
millions OF dollars have been paid
out by the war department in taxes
and levies OF various kinds. IArge
sums are said TO have been demanded
and paid for ground rent" for the
use OF the land upon which the
American soldiers did their fighting.
Damages to the land and improve
ments have been compensated for by
payments from the same source, IL In
said
II In probable that the senate COM
n,ittes on military Affairs with be
asked to make the investigation Data
on the matter is now being collected
by senator who 10 a member OF that
committee.
DIRECTION OF INQUIRY.
II the investigation should be or
dered, the inquiry will be directed to
an effort to obtain the facts to the fol-
lowing question:
did the American govern
msnt have to pay $4,000 francs
for damages by shell fire by
F American troops IT HIN 1v41
2--Dfd the French govern
ment levy and collect taxes upon
ali the supplies and materials
shipped into France for the use
OF the American Expeditionary
Forces?
8-Did the United States have
to pay for water from natural
springs near the American army
camps In the battle regions7
Are the vouchers showing
these payments in the hles OF
the war department.
The information which has been
given to members of the senate was
filsd by men OF legal training who
gave up important positions In civil
life to get into the military service.
Some OF them were promised posi-
ton IN the Judge advocate. when
they got to France they found no
place open. 20 rather than return TO
civil pursuits while the war was on.
they accepted places In tbs audrttng
bureau. In this capacity the men
who may be called ~ witness had OPP
portunity to obtain at first hand In
formation A. TO the amounts which
were being dtsbursed &c the Frencn
government.
Western Mans Exhibit.
Following ID 4 dictated memoran-
dunn which was given today to ono
senator by = western lawyer who has
Just been released form this service:
Memorandum OF q few items Of
expense paid by the American gov
eminent in connection with the war
IN France:
For. many years prior to the war
there existed throughout France local
laws providing for \ tax on all kinda
Of goods. wares and merchandise
brought into the various villages and
ootroi tax In the auditors once IN
Paris there are hundreds OF origtna
receipts covering these taxe& Goods
shipped from America consigned &c
the expedittonAry forces stationed In
various places In France were sub.
jectod to these taxes a. well ~ all our
supplies for our amy which wer4
brought to any VILLAGE or town where
American troops were bflleted.
There were Also receipts In the
auditors ONCE In Paris covering pay
located near American camps and
hnanitaa"