The Washington times., 1921-05-01
A. |. /. GRAVES
DESPO|LED TO.
REMOVE DEAD
Remains of Yank Martyrs
Brutaliy Handled, Tourist
Asserts In Letter.
LODGE READS IT IN SENATE
Heroes Bones Dragged Ruth
IessIy From Sacred Soil.
Dissertation Stirs Capitol.

narrowing reports OF the utter
desecration of the graves and bodies
Of American dead in France. Bel
gium, England, Italy and Germany
are percolating through the circle of
official Washington, and the indica-
tions today point to a Congressional
investigation that may shake the
Graves Registration Section of the
Quartermaster Corps to its founda-
ton.
RESPONSIBILITY NOT FIXED.
Exactly where rests the responsi
bility appears unsettled. On the
one hand returning tourists and for
mer employees OF the section claim
that the discipline that should rea-
in charge is not being enforced. while
on the other hand 1t Is claimed the
| low moral level of the civilian per
sonnel has brought about the ghoul-
ish conditions that are being pic
/ tured here by those who have seen
the actual reclamation Of the bodies
TOR shipment to home cemeteries.
According to those who are now
talking. the condition Is not new,
hut II anything somewhat improved
over what It was time ago when
Americans touring the battle neld.
| have personally protested against
| what they considered most deplor-
able conditions.
LODGE NOTES PROTEST.
Official cognizance OF the situation
| was taken in the Senate. when Sen
asor Lodge, at the request of the
general board OF education Of ths
| Presbyterian Church read into the
Record the following letters:
ITO the American Legion:
Since the beginning of February
III have been visiting the battle
grounds of France. Taking my time.
/ have journeyed from Lille and Lens
and Arras to st. Mihiel and Pont-a-
Mousson. The ruins of Albert and
many hundreds of other towns are
sad to see. Dead forests and fields
where nothing grows yet are also
sad to see. But for an American even
sadder yet 10 the sight OF our ceme-
teries, from whose peaceful, decent
dignity the bones of our soldiers who
fought together and fell together In
France are being daily torn up.
"'The other day on my way to
visit Quentin Roosevelt's grave. ]
stopped at the American cemetery
near Nesies. In smooth turf and
among white crosses gaped ugly
holes. Out of these holes were being
dragged-what7 Boys whom their
mothers would recognize? No!
Things without shape, at which
mothers would collapse.
| chow DEAD WERE BURIED"
"'Our dead had to be buried quick
Ily There were no cofhns-there
| could be none. Bodies were some-
times drapped in blankets and some
times put in baskets. Mud has filled
these baskets and in winter has
| frozen to a hard cake. Those who
! take this mass up often place the
basket on top Of a stove to melt the
mud off and fnd something left to
send to America. This something can
not be embalmed. 1t is sprinkled
with disinfectant and shipped to Ho-
boken. Those who sprinkle never en-
blamed in their lives. They came
from slums and anywhere. and they
look It.
"'Piles of these poor fragments OF
human beings lie at Hoboken un-
claimed. They have been dragged
from the soil their sacrifice made .sa-
cred and where, as an honored and
cared-for company. they lay in peace,
their graves tended, their memory
historic, and precious to France. Now,
| many go to Potter's neld. Such as
are claimed and taken to some family
graveyard will soon be forgotten,
Those who mourn them will be dead,
too. Had they been left in France.
they would have been cherished as
long as France endures.
STOP HIDEOUs MOCKERY.
"'No mother could come to France
and see where her boy lies and not be
comforted and thanwful he Is there
But exploiting mothers grief to put
money in certain pockets goes on.
| Three weeks ago 1 saw our great
cemetery at Romagne. Its grass was
green, its crosses white. Peace and
beauty hlled II. In mid-May 40 per
cent Of those dead are to be dragged
up, and Romagne will look like on old
mouth, half teeth, half gums.
| "'Can nothing stop this hideous
mockery Of the living and the dead.7
"'(Signed.) OWEN WISTER.'"
| "a letter from Thomas Nelson Page
reads:
"I have just returned from a visit,
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