The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-24

rested In the Wine SW1ndle, anC was telling the commanding general of Base Section No. that I was hoping we could all take it easier, and that some tf the over-worke ed men could enjoy the leave to which they were entitled.
 T am sorry, Major," replied the general, Out you cannot allow any of your men to go on leave at the present. For the past two weeks Bordeaux has been the scene of a series tf murders and hold-ups, the victims in each case being French civilians. The French claim that the crimes were committed by two American negroes. It may be SO they may be right-but I doubt 1t. However, It is up to you to ascer- tain the truth and capture the criminals. The French seem power less to apprehend them, and the most remarkable incident In tho whole situation Is that in every case the passport of the victim was stolen
 But General,' I replied, that surely is matter for the French tC handle. It's a civil and not a military case."
 Possibly" said the general. "but General Halloran-the French com mandant of the district-has been making quite stir over this. He claims we are the proper ones to handle the case since the criminals are evidently American negroes"
 There must be a mistake some where, for all the military police had been very active. Moreover, CT ders were issued that all our troops must be off the streets after o'clock at night. and the military police had been arresting all whom they found out after that hour. But I returned to my office and broke the news to the men who were planning a trip tG Nice.
 Captain Baker, who was acting chief of the department when I was away, was summoned. and from him I got the past two weeks report sent us by the French chief of po- lice. A study of these reports showed that the general was right the victim in every case was a French civilian. The reports also stated: s
 "Without doubt the crime was committed by two American negroes. The French authorities request prompt action upon the part of the Americans to prevent these des- peradoes from committing further crimes"
 We were all well aware that the French were prone to insist that crimes were committed by the Americans. Experience had shown they were. Even when we had proved to our own satisfaction that the criminal was French. they found it hard to admit to us that a Frenchman could so far forget him self as to commit a crime; and, while to us these murderers seemed prtb- ablyFrench, still the case was unique and it was up to us to prove it.
 Asking Captain Baker what steps had been taken to capture the crimi- nals, he said he had men out in civilian clothes every night-"But the force is so small and the city so large that we cannot cover it all and consequently have been unable to accomplish anything. There is a possibility that these criminals are Americans. A survey at Bassens shows that there are over twenty American negroes posted there as deserte Without doubt a majority of these deserters are staying in this city. But it is almost impossible to find them, however, owing to the fact that we have Algerians, French, Colonials, English. and American negroes who have lived here; as well as the desterters from Bassens, and all these are scattered throughout the city"
 The French Become Alarmed.
 That the situation was agitating the French authorities was evident when General .Halltran. learning that I was back, sent me this impera- tive message:
 stop to these depredations Our citi- zens are being killed and their property stolen."
 Then came the mayor: "If you do not stop it." said his honor, T shall take this up with the government at Paris and have Bordeaux declared off limits for all Americans!'
 It sure enough was a peaceful life we lived in cur department! We felt that trench life would be Heaven compared to this. for at least there we could fight back.
 The last straw--a heavy one-came from my friend the French cheif of police. If anyone knew of the troubles that assailed our depart ment this man did. He had worked with us On so many cases that we considered him a friend. Both sur prised and disheartcned we were when he came tC me declaring that the Americans were running wild.
 ''1t is q certainty in this case" he cried, that the criminals are Ameri- cans and not French! I have per sonally interviewed every victim that has been robbed and they all declare that the robbers are American negroes. Everyone is angry about 1t and unless you want the mayor to carry out his threat and have the city off limits you must stop these crimes! My entire force is at your disposal" Ti.'
 l thanked the chief for his tffer of assistance and told him that as soon as we had carefully investi- gated the situation we would call upon him for any help needed.
 Our first move was to have all the persons who had been robbed brought to our office and interrG gated. Their stories were all similar: The victim was stopped in dark spot by two negroes dressed in American uni forms who, bayonets in their hands. ordered, Hands up!" Those who offered resistance were killed. The robbers searched their victims, took all their valuables, and, in every case, the passport. If the victims clothes were of any interest to them, they took them also. After robbing a man, they hit him over the head with the butt of the bayonet and, while he was still unconscious, made their es- cape. They were never seen until the victim was suddenly confronted by them. Further questioning brought out the fact that these two negroes spoke excellent French and that they were exceedingly black. We were particular to inquire about the teeth of these crooks. Almost invariably they stated:
 '"The teeth were not white like the teeth of the AmericAns."
 No one could give us good des- cription of the criminals:
 Black, kinky hair. black eyes, dis colored teeth, dressed in an Ameri- can unif. rm, speaking French fluent ly, of medium height-and Ameri-