Evening star., 1947-10-03

Oeft), correspondent for the
L'Humanite, and Maurice Ferl
for LIE Monde, talk with Frenc
dault during a reception at the
Bidault last night.
partment to inform personnel of the
reason for changes in policy.
Despite security restrictions on in
formation as to- future troop move
ments, the general feels the War De-
partment did not pay sufficient at
tention to the natural reactions OF
theater personnel and their depend
ents." He predicted the situation
will be improved by recent instruc-
tions on the movement of dependents
to the European command.
In his report, Gen. Wyche said
the brief period Mr.. Ruark spent
in Italy would mot of necessity
preclude the possibility of his hav-
ing been told a great many things
by a very few people, but it GER
tainly indicates he had not suffi-
cient time to inquire into the things
told him to verify their veracity or
authenticity.
Gen. Wyche found that, although
Gen. Lee and members of his staff
have taken advantage of certain
Prerequisites and privileges custo-
marily accorded officers of his and
their rank, the exercise of their
Prerequisites and privileges does not
fairly indicate that they are living
in lavish or luxurious manner, or
that they have abused the privileges
of their rank.
"Flunkie" Charge Unconfirmed.
THE columnist alleges, in sub
stance, that many of the enlisted
men are employed as fiunkies, serv-
ants and helpless targets for officer
conceit. - 1 was unable to find
any soldiers who have been en-
ployed as flunkies or servants for
officers"
The report said, Mr.. Ruark wrote
that, around Gen. Lees headquar-
ters, there was an "unduly strict
adherence to rules, regulations and
customs of the service, with soldiers
being punished for the slightest
deviations therefrom." Gen. Wyche
said he. found mo evidence to SUBJ
stantiate the allegation that enlisted
men are habitually drastically pun
ished for the slightest deviation
from Gen. Lees strict rules of disci-
pline and military courtesy"
Battalion Commander Relieved.
Gen. Wyche reported that several
complaints were made against the
commanding officer of the 503d Mill
stary Police Battalion" while lie was
in Italy. Investigation disclosed the
commander was a very strict dis
ciplinarian and his unit appeared
to have an unduly high court
martial rate"
The general said he was of the
opinion the battalion commander
had not always used good judgment
in the administration" of his unit
and that he had taken steps before
he left Italy to have the officer re.
lteved from the assignment.
The general added: "As to thu
allegation that Leghorn is salute.
crazy compliance witt
those regulations is superior an6
does not appear to have beer
overdone, except in isolated in.
stances where some officers have
on occasion improperly reprimanded
soldiers for failing to salute them
while they were in moving Vehicles.
Gen. Wyche remarked that Gen
Lee is a firm believer in the ex-
change of military salutes."
1000 Court Martial Cases.
Although there was a total OF
about 1000 court-martial cases in
the theater in the year ended last
June 80, this number does not ap-
pear to be alarmingly high" Gen
Wyche said ITO obtain exemplary
conduct on the part of these i'm
mature and poorly basically trained
young men," he explained, requires
the imposition of more, drastic
measures than those normally re-
quired for older and more seasoned
troops"
The report said so per cent Of the
troops were in the 17-20-year age
bracket, with only eight weeks
basic training prior to arrival In
the theater.
Turning to Mr.. Ruarks stories oi
harsh treatment of prisoners at 9
disciplinary training center at Pisa
Gen. Wyche said he talked to many
inmates and found none who stated
that they were or had been brutally
treated; none were or had been fol
several months in solitary confine-
ment."
Living Style Defended.
Gen. Wyche said Mr.. Ruark's
criticism of Gen. Lees style of living
was mot based on fair and i'm.
partial consideration of all factual
information.
by CUSTOM" the general wrote
"and by virtue of his high position
as the acting supreme Allied COM
mander and as the senior repre-.
sentative of the United States Gov
eminent in an occupied foreign
country = - it is essential that Gen
Lee live and so conduct himself al
to uphold the dignity and prestige
of the United States and other Allied
nations which he represents"
A special train "of the genera,
type described by Mr.. Ruark" ir
one story was made available te
Gen. Lee without cost to the United
States, by the italian government
Gen. Wyche said.
Palestine