The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-09-27
MP'S To Enforce Order In Germany With Iron Hand In a Velvet Glove
nv NRA Service

policeman crossed the border into Germany this morning, Some of his fellows were there before him and many more will follow. Although he may not have realized it. history was walking beside the khaki clad sol. dier wearing the blue and white MP armband when he stepped onto German soil. N
 He Is Q product of the new Corps of Military Police, founded on September 26, lsAl, just three years ago, Unlike the military poe lioeman of the last war, he has been especially selected and especially trained in military police work, What he does in Germany, how he conducts himself in dealing with the German civilian and returning military population may have Q de- cided bearing on future German American relations.
 'sThe Military Police have been called the executive arm of mili- tary government" Maj. Gen. Archer L. Perch, Provost Marshal General, points out. They will have the job of enforcing whatever proclamations ard orders are issued by the military government, In this they will co-op- crate with local authorities when- ever those authorities are available and will cooperate"
 CONTROL CIVILIANS
 The MP will enforce curfew regu- lations, direct traffic, and patrol streets of German cities and vile lages, His Criminal Investiga- tion-diviSion will work on price control. He will control the cirou- lation of civilians, allowing them complete freedom in some sections of the cities, keeping them out of other sections, The MP will be pres ent when they receive food rations, or he may dish out the rations, He will keep order in courts, testifying in various cases,
 The MP has been taught to han dle himself in a military manner when dealing with the Germans, be- cause the Germans are a military people. From the time of the Prus- Sians through the time of the NaSis they have looked upon the military with respect, and, consciously or un- consciously, they will be comparing the American military nan with tnelr own German soldiers.
 Just how thoroughly they respect firm military authority was shown recently during a visit made by one of the officers from the Provost Marshal Generals Office to a Ger man Prisoner of War camp in this country.
 It was an officers camp and the American sent word to the senior German officer that he would be present at Q o'clock in the morn- Ing and that he wanted officer prisoners assembled, at which time he would talk to them and listen to any legitimate complaint,
 SHOW AUTHORITY
 Promptly at 9 the American of- ficer appeared at the eamp-but he was not met by the senior German officer Q colonel He was met in- stead by Q lieutenant, who intro- duced himeSlf as the colonel's aide, and said the colonel would be.a few minutes late. Ignoring the tardinesS of the German colonel, the Amer iean officer proceeded without him, At about 9:l0, the German colonel entered and promptly flew into a rage. He informed his men that he was their senior. and that they had no right to enter Into . discussion until he was present,
 The American officer called the colonel to attention and told him that he, the American, was in charge, and that promptnesS is the first order of the military, He then ordered the German colonel confined to quarters for week, Without word the Colonel sa- luted, did an about face, and Tee turned to his quarters. The effect on the other German officers was marvellous. From that time on the American had full cooperation,
 The American military poliee- man In Germany has been taught to make his decisions and execute them in similar military man. ner, always remembering to be fair with his firmneSs, Fairness will Do impressive to the 0er- mans. They've seen N lot of firm. neSs from the 0estapo and SS boys, but fairness Is something that they'll meet for the first time In many years when Military Gov ernment courts start opertaing In occupied Germany, The average German, who occasionally meets the law for minor reaSonS--ths man who gets on overtime parking ticket or violates curfew regula' tlonS Just because he had one beer too many-Will make coin- parisons in his own mind between the fairness with which the MP makes his corrections and the sock In the pusS he used to got from the destapo boys