The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-30
Witnesses Describe Some
Cases in Army Camps as
a Amounting to a System of
Torture.
INVESTIGATION BE
TAKEN TO FRANCE
Cases to be Placed Before
Army Inspector General
and Effort Made to Pun
ish Guilty Men.

New York, July 29.--Scores or In
stances of brutal treatment of Ameri
can soldiers in prison camps in France
described in some cases as amounting
70 a system of torture. responsiDihkS
for which was placed by witnesses OF
high army officers. were related TO-DAY
before the congressional sup -coHnl1'
tee investigating the disciplinary sys-
TENS OF the American expeditionars
forces.
High officials, charged by witnesses
with responsibility. included Br1gadiei
General W. w. Harts, former COM
maneer of the American troops in the
PART 4sistrict; Major General Frederick
smith -Stfbng Of the Fortieth division ;
!. Colonels Edgag Grfmstead ana - =
Maui
Representative Johnson, chairman OF
the sub committee, said the cases
would be placed before the army In
spector general and every effort would
be made to bring the guilty men tc
punishment.
The principal witness at the hearing
today was Col. #. w. Donaldson OF the
inspector generals department. VINO
made official investigation of prisons
after the first charges of brutality were
made public. Under close questioning
by Representative Bland and with OBJ
ylous reluctance, Donaldson admitted
the responsibility for conditions in the
Paris prisons must be laid to General
Harts.
Lieutenant f. III. c.Hardboiled")
Smith. who was in direct command of
farm number two. admitted on the
stand that terrible brutalities were
practiced in French prison camps.
Lieut. Smith said he had not long to
live and wanted to tell the truth while
alive. Smiths reference to his expect
ed death was interpreted by the prison
doctor as an indication of his belief
that some OF -he other prisoners would
attempt his life.
Smith and former Sergeant Clarence
Ball. and q third prisoner at Fort Jay.
Governors Island, were the first wit
nesses to be called before the house
subcommittee, headed by Congress
man Royal G. Johnson of South Da-
kota. investigating prison conditions in
the Americas expeditionary forces at
its hearings begun today. The COM
mittee Is to. sail for France August Z
20 continue its inquiry into prisons
there.
While these three prisoners were the
only witnesses called in advance it Is
explained that hearings will develop
disclosures that will bring other in
mates OF the castle" to the stand 1T
is said there are a number there who
were in the prison camp commanded
by smith and Ball.
Responsibility for cruel treatment of
American soldiers at prison farm
near Paris. were placed squarely upon
the shoulders of Major General f. HI.
Strong and Col T.. =. Grinstead by
Lieut.. Frank III. t"Hardboiled'o Smith.
In testimony given before the sub
committee of the house of representa-
tives at Governors Island
Washington, July 29-Four officers
and three petty officers of the navy
have been convicted by courtsmartial
ON charges i'm connection with the en-
rollment. promotion and assignment to
duty OF reservists in the third naval
district at New York. The navy de-
partment announced today.
The departments statement said the
seven men pleaded guilty on charges
OF having accepted money and valuable
presents from reservists for desired as
signments or for relief from active duty
after the armistice. Berger and SPAIN
were convicted of fraud in connection
with examination of applicants for pro-
motion
Ensign Beck was sentenced to be
stripped publicly of the insignia of his
rank. dismissed from the service and
twelve years Imprisonment; Berger
was sentenced to dismissal and three
yAars Imprisonment; SPAIN to disnis-
a and one years imprisonment: Casey
ovbe stripped of his insignia, dismissed
and IL years imprisonment: Jones to
be reduced 10 the grade OF seaman, five
years Imprisonment and dishonorable
Jacobs to be reduced to
andsman. five years Imprisonment and
dfscharged The saptapce
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