The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-16
SOLDIERS TESTIFY BEFORE COMMITTEE PROBING ALLEGED
 CRUELT|ES ID MEN
Witnesses Tell of Merciless Assaults on Prisoners in France by Arrogant Of
 ficers in Charge of the
 Prisons and Camps
By Associated Press

AttDcfatbu
 Washington, July 15.-Slx former American soldiers tes- tified today before a special House committee Investigating alleged cruelties to military prisoners nj France, declared that merciless assaults were committed without provoca- ton on the prisoners by arro gant officers in charge of the prison and camps.
 Only one of the witnesses, all of whom were charged with being absent without leave, was convicted, the others having been acquitted or the charge dismissed. ''The Bastile" The Stockade," "Pris- on Farm No. 2'' and "St. Anns hotel" also known as 'The Brig were the places named by the witnesses as the scene of the alleged cruelties. which were said to have extended over several months in
 
 the prison camps, it was said, had been convicted by courtmartials and others were awaiting trial.
 Lieut.. "Hardboiled'' Smith one of the prison camp officers, was mentioned fre- quently, while others named were Lieu tenants Mason and Sullivan, and Ser geants Ball. Wolfmeyer and Bush.
 Did they try the general in charge of the camp?" asked Chairman Royal John son, who left his seat in Congress to serve with the army abroad.
 Not that anyone heard of" declared a witness.
 HUNDRED WITNESSES TESTIFY When Lieut.. "Hardboiled" Smith was tried at Tours early this year 100 wit nesses appeared against him. and he was convicted, testified Sidney Kemp, New York city, who was corporal with Company F. 102d engineers, Eth di- vision
 Several of the soldiers testified that in addition to being beaten, food in small amounts and poor quality was supplied, and that the bedding was poor, some times the mattresses being in mud under small tent.
 "A prisoner was smiling, and an officer said, Take that srnike off, or wiil.'' A. H. Afendleburg. f41o East Fayette street, Baltimore. who served with base hospital 42. testified.
 "The officer did so by rolling the man in the mud" Mendleburg aceee.
 Did you get that officers nameT' asked Representative Flood, democrat, Virginia.
 Pm too sorry did not take his name" answered Mendleburg
 When telling of poor food, Mendelburg said that If you asked for an extra piece of bread you were flat on your back
 Meals, he and others said. consisted of a stew, made from canned beef, one slice of bread and part of cup of coffee. Sometimes only the stew was served, witnesses said.
 TOOTH KNOCKED OUT
 Charles Goldberg. New York city, corporal in Company G, Thirty-cighth infantry. third division. said that while at the Brig he was knocked down by an officer and one of his teeth knocked out when he refused to surrender his money belt. Drawing a black jack, the officer and Goldberg fought few min utes, but the witness said he was forced to surrender because of the pain he suf fered from blows on the arms.
 "Once when I was scrubbing a floor sergeant swung club at my head every five seconds testified Goldberg. Paul Boggs, Baldwin, N. T., s1sth field signal battalion, said men at the farm were often so hungry that they were glad to eat dirty potato peelings."
 He said that he dipped tin cup in swill barrel SC as to get some grease that he would eat with a relish''
 Instead of giving a command it was generally given with a club asserted Boggs, who said he saw at least men beaten.
 Alvin Bates, Brooklyn, who was with
 (ContfnueA on Page T~oA