The sun., 1919-08-30
MASSACRE OF LET'S
SHOWN TO SENATORS
German Firing Squad Smirked
at Camera That Recorded
Slaughter Last May.

WASHINGTON. Aug 29.-Representa-
tives OF the minor midEuropean ma
tons and of India appealed to the Sem
ate Foreign Relations Committee to-
day. Lithuania, Esthonia Letvia and
Ckrainia asked that the Senate use its
influence to obtain their recognition as
Independent States. while India asked
an amendment to the peace treaty under
which subject peoples will be guaranteed
a democratic form OF government.
The feature OF the session was the
presentation Of moving pictures depict
ing horrors imposed by the Germans
AGAINST the Let's 30 recently as in May
or the present year The Aim was put
on at the close of the hearings by Lieut..
Johnson, L. s. A. who himself made the
pictures and explained them.
The film depicted the German treat
ment OF Lettish civilian prisoners, and
the larger part Of 1t showed the execu-
ton by firing squad of seventeen OF
these. They were lined up three at a
time In front OF a trench. without being
blindfolded. and shot to death. the
bodies tumbling into the trench. With
out exception they were feeble and
emaciated. ...-
How did you get this picture?" de-
manded Senator Harding (Ohio).
The German officer in charge Of the
executions readily gave me permission
to make II when / asked him for It,"
replied Lieut.. johnson.
The German squad Of executloners
obviously enjoyed the distinction OF be-
ing movie heroes; they smirked at
the camera and were plainly highly
pleased with themselves.
A number of women who had been
sitting through the hearing had to leave
the darkened chamber after the first
group Of three had been killed. The
horror was so utterly unlike the stage
productions OF like affairs. so squalid
and inhuman. so lacking in heroic ele-
ment of spectacle that men and women
alike groaned as with fascinated eyes
they watched the German soldiers
mere boys. all OF them-lining up the
condemned men in position. stepping
back ten PAGES in brisk business like
fashion and delivering the deadly vol
ley. But the browning horror was when
the film. after the execution was ended,
presented a view OF the mass OF bleed
ing. quivering. shapeless bodies in the
trench, breath still coming and going in
some of them.
They were executed on the charge
that they were Bolsheviki." was ex-
planned. But even that was not the
truth their murders were in pursuance
as possible of the people"
At the opening OF the hearing George
Gordon Battle, on behalf OF the mid
European Association. made a brief
statement and then the representatives
of the different peoples were heard. All
were American citizens, although born
in or of the stock Of the nations they
represented.
Lieutenant Commander T. A. Bell, u.
s. n. who was In Paris during the
peace conference. spoke for Esthonia.
The hope of the world is In this COM
mittee." he said. "for saving something
OF freedom and unselhshness in the
peace settlement"
The Rev Carl Podln Of New York.
spoke for the LettoniAns Their coun-
try for 700 years has been under
Swedish, Polish. German or Russian
dominion yet It has maintained its
national identity. institutions. customs
and language" said he. ut hac $4,000
miles of area and 2.055. 900 population.
At present over $4,000 of its people
are exiles In Siberia. slowly perlshing
as the penalty Of their efforts for indie
perdence"
on behalf Of the Ukranians the Rev.
Carl Revruk said:
"Ukrania Is the largest OF the nations
ny tIO war. II the 0Ttn
nation of Europe in population, the Sec
ond in area, the first in natural re-
sources. The people. a pure Slavic race.
number 10000, 900. OF whom $4,000, 900
'nre Ukranians."
John S. Latto. a Pennsylvania, spoke
for the Lthuanians "A country OF 5O,-
900 square miles with 5000, 900 people,"
he said. "the Lithuanian people have
preserved their language. institutions
and national IDENTITY through centuries
of almost constant oppression"
Were hearings given 10 these four
nations at Parish" asked Senator John
son (CaL).
They asked. but failed to get IT,"
was the reply.
Dudley Field Malone OF New York
spoke for British India. india" he
said, sis two-thirds as large az the
United States. There can be no pos
sible political advantage to America or
any party in America from our effort
To improve the condition OF India. II
can serve only a humanitarian purpose"