The sun., 1919-07-26
BLAMES PERSHTNG
FOR PRISON ABUSES
Former Sergt.- Major Beckman
Says Brutalities Continued
Up to June.
WILL CITE MORE CASES
Asserts Conditions at Farm
No. 2 Were Duplicated in
Other Camps.

Assertion that he intends to place re-
eponsibility upon Gen. Pershing himself
for the brutalities committed against
American soldiers, military prisoners IN
France, was made yesterday by James
w. Beckman, the former sergeant-maoor
In tho American Expeditionary FORCES
whose disclosures have brought about
Congressional action with regard to con-
ditions In the American prisons ana
prison camps In France.
Taking up the statement Of Co T. u
Donaldson, Inspector General, that no
good can now be accomplished by ex-
posing the scandals, Beckman, In
statement issued yesterday, says he has
knowledge that UP to month ago Amer
lean soldiers in France were receiving
treatment at the hands OF their officers
like that melted out to no other army In
Europe. He says that the officers pun
ished for the crimes already exposed re-
ceived sentences tri1ing by comparison
TO what they had done. The Colonel m
charge of the notorious Farm No. 2. says
Beckmsn, has never been punished.
"Col Donaldson" he says, puts him
self in the unsavory position OF defend
ing scallawagS"
Describing his own efforts as mere
measure OF protection for his comrades
still in France and declaring that the
army must be, purged Of Prussianisrn so
that officers may hold rank by virtue OF
merit rather than brutality. Beckman
continues with warm praise Of Represen-
tatives Johnson and Dallinger for their
part In forcing the exposures.
congressman Johnson and Congress
man Dalllnger," he said. ARE making the
only amends possible to the soldiers who
went forth to fight for their country and
their loved ones and were betrayed by
their officers because the censorship was
30 constructed that II prevented their
exposure and punishment as soon as
their crimes were prepetrated.
''Gen. March stated fact which every
one familiar with military responsibility
knows-that Gen. Pershing is response
BILE.
''when Gen. Pershing replied that the
terrible conditions alleged and proved
happened only in November and Decem-
Der of 1918 and but a few were guilty
he stated a falsshood. Whether Gen.
Pershing lied depends upon whether he
knew differently. II he did not know
differently he conyicts himself as incom-
petent and false to his trust. for Gen.
O'Ryan reported these conditions to Gen.
Pershing's headquarters in August, ISIS.
and urgently requested that they be
brought to his attention. The crimes al
legged have been proved TO have existed
the larger part of 1918. and even into
1919.
This state Of affairs existed so close
to Gen. Pershing's headquarters that
there is no excuse or defence he can
make for not having known of them or
not having stopped theri Moreover.
Gen. March testified before the commit
tee that the light sentence of three years
given 70 the notorious Hard Boiled"
Smith was cut in half upon Gen. Per-
sfing's recommendation. Was Hard
Boiled" Smith the goat for Gen. Per-
shing. and was Gen. Pershing trying to
save him? The Generals own answer
will be interesting, 10oc
1.-THE same conditions which made
Farm No. 80 infamous existed at other
prison camps In France. They existed at
Loir-et-Gievres. and have referred this
case also to the Congressional COMMITTEES
for action.
I'm addition to these atrocious cases
will present a series of eases OF mis-
treatment of soldiers and mismanage-
ment of military affairs TO the committee
for investigation as fast as 1t can handle
them. These cases were not taken up
and righted. as Col Donaldson wants US
TO think.
"If guilty officers did their own wash
ing of their dirty linen out of the sight
of the public these cases will show tnat
whitewash rather than soap was used