Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-16
SOLDIERS Tell OF
BRUTAL OFFICERS
Six Former Doughboys Testify
Before House Investigat-
ing Committee.
CHARGE MANY CRUELTIES
Claim They Were Beaten, Black
lacked, Ill-Fed and Rolled
in Mud.
CHARGE MANY CRUELTIES
'By Associated Pr.s.l


WASHINGTON. July 15.-Six former
American soldiers. testifying today he
fore special House committee inves
tiSat'nE alleged crueities TO military
prisoners in France declared that mer
ciiess assaults were committed with
out provocation on the prisoners by
arrogant officers in charge of the pr,s-
ons and camps Only one OF the wit
nesses. all OF whom were charged with
beinE absent without leave. was con.
victnd. the others having been acquitted
or the charge dismissed
Inc Bahti'e" the stockade," "Pris-
also known as the brig" we're the
places named bv the witnesses as tho
scene OF alleged cruelties. which we're
Saon,hs Sa1n 10 haxe ,a, extended over several
in charge Of the prison camps, il was
said, nave been convicted by courts
martai' and others were awaiting
Officers Arc Named
Lieutenant "Hardboilcd" Smith on.
oi me prison camp officers. was men
toned frequently. while others named
were Lieutenants Mason and Sullivan.
Bush ana
Did they try the general in charge
so SON 'hs wbo camn, 1n,, ,,'s asked CHAIRMAN John
serve with the army abroad
Not that any one heard off," re-
sponded witness.
When Lieutenant ''HardboiIed.,
year. hundred witnesses apnearnd
against him and he WAS convic,ed.
testified sydney Kemp. New York CIV,
who was a corporal With Comnanv ~ i,
one Hundred and Second Eneinccrs'
"enty-seventh Division.
ftiitE Witnesses who can name will
Nerify everything said here and foil
more. too. asserted Kemp.
:, several OF the soldiers testified that.
IN addition to being beaten. food in
WAS supplied, and that the bedding
was poor. sometimes the mat,resses
aeinS In mud under a small tent.
Rolled Prisoner In Mud.
"a . prisoner on, was smiling and an off,
a; II MendIeburs. Baltimore. who who
s9ryed stG With With Base Hospital No. IL. tes.
1aafd man in bse ,bs rUa odise, 6 did by rolling the
Did you get that oficers name"
Virginia. '' De'ocra''
Tn. too sorry did not take his
name answered Mendlebure.
When telling OF poor food Mendle.
surs said that III YOU asked for AN an
your back" Meals. he and othars sds on -
Sons'sted OF a stew. made from canned
nee'. one slice OF bread and part OF a
cup of coffee. Sometimes only The s,s, ..
was served witnesses said
Blnckincked by Omcer.
onar!es Goldberg. OF New York City.
CORPORA in Company G. Thirty,
eighth Infantry, Third Division. said
ma while at the brig" he was knock :
ed down by an officer and one Of his
teeth Knocked out when he refused 10
ssurrtnder his money belt Drawing a
niackjack. the officer and Goldbere
fought few minutes. but the wi;ness
sa!d ,a! ne was forced TO surrender be :
cause bna OF the pain he suffered from
once when was scrubbinr floor.
sergeant swung a club AT my head
every hvs seconds" testified Goldberg,
~ raul Boggs: OF Baldwin. y. v,
!hree Hundred and Eighteenth Field
signal Battalion. sad men at the farm
were often so hungry tina; they we're
,Eiad to eat dirty potato peel;n-s"
h ne SAID he dipped lineup in a swil,
ba ,, 80 as TO get some grease tina;
ne would eat with a relish
Instead of giving a command II
WaseSenerally given with club" as
serted Boggs. who said he saw at leas,
hfty men beaten.
Alvin Bates. Of BROOKLYN. who was