Smyrna times., 1919-12-03
Story Now Made Public
in Report of Commissioner
Carl P. Dannett.
EFFECT ON GERMAN MORALE
AStOunded When Prisoners Re-
i CeiVad More and Better Food
Than Their CaptOrS.

One Of the most surprising features
of the great war was the remarkably
fine physical condition of the Ameri-
can prisoners who were released,
some of them after lOng periods OF
captivity in German prison camps,
and sent into Switzerland after the
signing Of the arIniStice.
That the American prisoners were
released, well fed and well clothed is
due to the work of the American Red
Cross, which provided them with
food, clothing and many other physi-
cal necessities and comforts. Carl 2.
Dennett, Of Boston, in report just
issued says:
Starvation AVerted.
"The American prisoners would
have starved to death if it had not
been for the food parcels sent to them
through our (Red Cross) Organization
at Berne. The condition of the Ital-
ian, Russian and other prisoners who
did not receive food supplies from
their country of origin proves that
the prison ration was not sufficient to
sustain life for a prolonged period,
and it was of a character that our
men absolutely could not eat. Our re-
turning prisoners have testified unani-
mously to the fact that they would
have starved had it not been for the
food we sent them. l have the testi-
mony in one telegram OF 2200 Ameri-
can prisoners to that effect.
"The American expeditionary
forces scrupulOusly respected the
treaty on the treatment of prisoners,
and there is not a single record Of an
attempt by a German prisoner to es-
cape. ~44-~..
What the Red Gross Did.
"In the early months after Ameri-
cas- entry into the war, American
prisoners were subjected to many Of
the lndignities bestowed upon other
prisoners, but after the demands Of
the United States in September, 1918,
| this sort of treatment ceased. There
was always that fear in the Teuton
mind that certain distinguished plain
| clothes Junkers and intriguers held in
American internment camps might
have their wholesome meals and
healthful surroundings altered bit"
The American government found
itself In the curious position OF having
to feed and clothe German prisoners
of war in its hands and also the
| American prisoners of war in the
hands of the Germans. To meet this
condition; the government made ar
rangements by which the American
Red Cross undertook to do the fol
lowing:
I. Obtain the names Of American
prisoners of war.
2. Obtain camp addresses Of the
prisoners.
Transmit this information Il
general headquarters Of the American
forces; to the Red Cross at Wash
ington, which notified the family o
each prisoner; and to the American
Red Gross at Paris to clear its rec
ords in connection with the searcl
for missing men.
A. Ship necessary relief supplies T.
American prisoners.
Effect on German Morale.
The American prisoners were thu
kert well clothed and well Ted, an
, finally were repatriated APPARENT
none the worse for their confinement
1Ir bennett emphasizes the psycno
logical effect upon the German popu
latiOn:
/. ut is undoubtedly true that Tn
, food and clothing parcels sent 70 tn
American prisoners constituted tn
begt possible propaganda. The Gel
man population had been educate
G 70 believe that an American army
anv size could not possibly De SCI
to France, and that it would be pm
a,eally impossible to transport u
necessary food, clothing and supple
EAnd vet here were prisoners, seattle
: led all ever Germany, receaving fro
lAnerica twenty pounds per week