The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-20
na, thew nnslly came w.r. eonAs-

hands they finally came were conns'
Gated. ~
IS. Many instances brought to the at
tention Of the investigating omcers py
these soldiers were omitted from inc
sworn statements. including one tale OF
an American prisoner OF war who re-
turned to Paris after eight months In the
German prison camp and was placed un-
der arrest by the military police because
he was not supplied with travel orderA
&C. Another phase of the situation
which has been omitted from the record
for obvious reasons Is the fact that these
men are drilled in front of the muzsles
of machine guns and automatic rines.
precaution which might be justified win
condemned murderers. but Is hardly 10
be expected in the American army as
part Of the routine Of an ordinary camp
of detention.
~. The men are also isolated from the
outside world and are not allowed 70
communicate with their friends or SUE
perior officers II was stated by many
OF the men that many of their comrades,
particularly soldiers Of the Thirtleth d.
vision, which has fought eide by side
with the Twenty-seventh Division during
the entire war. are still incarcerated IN
this prison farm and have sent letters
appealing to their company and regi-
mental commanders for assistance. The
only way in which they have been able
to get this mail out was to send II by
prisoners leaving the farm.
Statements Believed True.
IS. The investigating officers are both
men who have been familiar with the
penal conditions In New York for many
years and are convinced that the state
ments Of all these men are true and that
- IL. ia rr-At alh
could not be tolerated for a single In
slant In any institution under control Of
civil authorities'
In his Endorsement of the report, for
warded with It to the Acknowledgement
OF the A., r. F.. Gen. Organ said
81. Under date Of September ~. 1918,
I forwarded complaints OF similar char
acter in relation TO the treatment given
some non-commissoned officers OF this
division by the military authorities in
Paris. The facts reported by these nom
commissioned officers were OF such char
acter that request the matter be
brought to the attention OF the COM
mander in chief. No information has
been received of any action taken in
relation thereto. The foregoing report
OF the. division inspector and the judge
Advocate. who investigated the COM
plants made by the soldiers named in
tnelr reports, speaks TOT ltseIi. lWo
months have elapsed since the occur
renee Of the abuses first reported.
90 I repeat my former recommends
ton that vigorous action be taken in
relatio to the matters complained Of as
believe the commander in chief would
wish to be personally informed OF oc-
currences OF this character, so out OF
harmony with the methods which obtain
In our army for the maintenance OF
discipline. / request that these papers
be shown to the chief of staff, American
Expeditionary Force"
In his letter TO Secretary Baker Col.
KincAd suggests that the original re-
port and It's accompanying affidavits can
doubtless be located in the department
files. either at home or abroad, II care
full search Is made.
at should be OF particular value at
this time" he says. especially as the
matter OF the prison situation in Paris
was first called to the attention Of supe-
rior headquarters prior to September 1,
1918"