Evening star., 1932-12-22
E MATIN. Paris Subsequent to
combat in La Somme, May


II. 1915. the soldier, Auguste
IL Grandadem of the 1st Battalion
of "chasseurs a pieds" (light in
fartry) was reported missing. In so
much as his previous conduct on the
march and under fire had merited the
admiration Of his comrades and the
eulogies of his superiors, there remained
scarcely any doubt that the young Vos-
glen. a native of Senones. had died
bravely for France. In fact. his cap
tain, in a letter addressed to his par
ents, delivered himself thus:
Your son is believed to be dead
II should be less difficult for you to
res.-n yourselves to this cruel in
telligence when you recall with US.
his companions in arms. the courage
and devotion he displayed in fight
ing for his country. We assure you
that his noble efforts have not been
in vain"
Two surprises, however, awaited the
bereaved parents after the war. Having
solicited pension to which they were
entitled as dependents and next OF
kin, the war department informed them
that instead of being killed in battle,
their son had been taken prisoner in
1915, and was now degraded to the
status of a deserter for not having re-
joined his corps upon his return from
captivity after the armistice.
Four years after his grievous dis
appointment. the parents received de-
mand for payment, in the shortest pos
s;b,e time, CT a Judgment obtained
against their son who had, in addition,
been condemned to six months impris-
onment for desertion by war council.
representing the goth Corps, held at
Nancy The poor parents protested
vehemently that this could not be their
son, whose ardor and patriotism were
so well known. He was so assumed,
however, and when they were unable
to pay the pecuniary penalty assessed
against him he was subjected to longec
term of Imprisonment. Letters which
they produced in their sons handwrit-
ing in the desire to distinguish him
from the accused were pronounced BY
experts to be In the writing OF the man
in custody i
The parents continued bafiled in tAeir
efforts for a pension, until after another
four years, end then. in 1927. the Gen
tarme Gillet of the Senones Brigade
learned that man named AuguSte
Grandadam had just been condemned
IN Paris to two-month prison SEN
tence for theft. Knowing the family of
the soldier Grandadam. M. Gillet him
self looked carefully into the case AND
found that the man convicted Tor tneit
in Paris was perhaps the same indf-
vidual convicted for desertion at Nancy
and that he was in reality not Auguste
Grandadam, but Emile Anselme, a mem
ber of the same Isl Battalion, and VINO
likewise disappeared in another battle
in La Somme May Is, 1915.
An official investigation was ordered
1t was long and laborious, as official in
vectigction; Scnc-cc lly are. but it was
finally determined that this man, Emile
Aneclmc, We act llv the decertcr con-
victed ct Nancy by the council of war
Of the 2eth Corps. Knowing that Au-
guste Crandadarl Rad dicappeared four
days previous. he had planned to use
that persons name in his receptions.
The result of all this has been that
the distressed family of Auguste Grand
adam are now restored to the full
rights which the supreme sacrifice OF
their heroic son bequeathed to them.
Il X i
Peruvian City Halls
New Light System.
Ell Comercio, Lima.-W.th great re-
joicing and solemnity. they inaugurated
yesterday the public lighting system in
the city of Cesma. All the municipal
executives took part in the ceremonies.
which marked the abolition Of the prirn-
tive methods used probably for the last
century and the initial operation OF
electrical equipment. After the dedica-
ton of the power plant by the clerical
representatives. the alcalde, Senior
CsrIns Mendoza. pulled the lever which