New-York tribune., 1919-07-29
Cruelty
Inquiry Opens
Here To-day
Winner of Croix de Cuerre.
With Palms and Stars, to
Face SHard-Boiled' Smith
and Tell Prison Horrors

A victim of prison camp cruelties in
France ana two of the men who were
court martialed for inhicting them
will be examined to-day on Governors
Island by a subcommittee of the
that is Investigating the War Depart
ment. Representative Royal C. John
son, chairman Of the sub committee,
will conduct the hearing.
The victim is listed in the War De-
partment records as General Prisoner
Joseph C. Ryszelewski. The others are
Lieutenant Hard Boiled" Smith and
Sergeant Clarence E. Ball. Ball is
seeking relief and vindication through
the hearings, contending that he was
made the goat" of the Investigations
and court martial of conditions at
Prison Farm No. in France.
Prisoners Story Is Told
Ryszelewski's story as told in num-
bered paragraphs in a brusque military
communication from the adjutant Of
the General intermediate Supply Depot
in France to the commanding officer of
the military prison to which he was
sent in France, follows:
Il. AS requested in your communi-
cation of February IL, 1919, investi-
cation has been made pertaining to
the case of general prisoner Joseph
c. Ryszelewski, who is confined at
this camp.
"2. After his escape from conine-
ment on May 27, 1918, he enlisted in
the. Polish army on May 80, 1913,
under an assumed name-Joseph c.
Rudzinski. He was at first attached
to the 1st Regiment of Infantry and
was wounded in action July S, 1918.
upon his recovery he was transferred
to the aviation and served with the
ia Spad Escadrille from August 25,
1918, to the date of his apprehension
by the American authorities, Jan
uary 6, 1919. When apprehended he
held the rank of second lieutenant
and was in good standing.
"3. The records of the 154th Spad
Escadrille substantiate the state
ments made during his court-martial
He is officially accredited with three
CD victories in the air and five cita-
tions for bravery in air combat. He
is entitled to the Croix de Guerre
with three (3) palms and five (5)
-. Under separate cover you will
find the recommendations from the
Judge advocate generals office,
Washington, which are to be indorsed
and forwarded to general headuuar-
ters A. E. F. This command fully
agrees with the recommendation
and deems the case as worthy of con-
sideration for immediate clemency.
by order of Colonel D. J. Symonds,
c. O., G: !: S: D., A. P. o. 713.
"F., H. M'KIRDY, Capt. F. A. Adju-
tant."
Ryszelewski is serving a sentence of
three years and six months. He
brought his case to the attention of
the subcommittee by a device that
is in keeping with his adventurous
career. His precious Croix de Guerre
and copy Of his military record were
smuggled out of Fort Jay by dis
honorably discharged soldier who had
completed his sentence and who sent
them to the members of the commit
tee, with plea from Ryszelewski that
he be permitted to tell them his ex
periences in American army prison
camps overseas.
Not all of the prisoners at Fort Jaw
are satisfied with the sentence given
Lieutenant Hard Boiled" Smith for
his part in the prison camp cruelties
Some Of them are men who claim
they were in his custody in France.
A week ago yesterday Harry Fell,
yellow ticket man." as dishonorably
discharged soldiers are called in the
army, was leaving Fort Jay dressed in
a blue denim suit, cotton shirt and
cheap shoes. He had finished his SEN
tence of nine months confinement for
escaping imprisonment while serving a
six months sentence in France for
being absent without leave. Then he
saw Hard Boiled" Smith.
Gets Revenge on Smith
Fell stopped and began to curse
NTH.
Now you're getting some Of your
own medicine, how do you like III" he
demanded.
Smith made no reply, and Fell con
tinucd to abuse him until Smith passed
out Of sight. Then the yellow ticket
man Started for the ferry to 60 to Man
haitian. Before he could board tho
boat he had been rearrestcd by Colonel
Hunt, in command Of the disciplinary
barracks on Governors Island, and a
few hours later was serving 4 ten-day
sentence in solitary confinement on a
diet that, he said, consisted only Of
bread and water.
Colonel Hunt said yesterday that
Fell had been released from solitary at
the end Of seven days. He also said
Fell had been put back in prison At the
end Of his sentence because he at.
tempted TO incite trc other prisoners to
attack lizard Boiled" Smith.
~ had cautioned all the men," said
Colonel Hunt, "that they were not 10
modest Smith. This man Fell had never
seen Smith before and his actions were