DIABOLICAL TREATMENT OF BRITISH PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2459, 12 May 1915, Page 5

DIABOLICAL TREATMENT OF BRITISH PRISONERS

STORIES BY GERMAN DESERTERS COLD-BLOODED SHOOTING OF UNARMED CAPTIVES London, May 10, 3.50 p.m. , The High Commissioner reports:— The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has issued a dispatch from the British Minister -at The Hajnie containing sworn declarations from Press correspondents regarding the shooting of British prisoners of war by Germans. They are as follow:— "I, Johannes Martin, editor of the 'Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad,' declare that on March 16 n German deserter named Richard Loreuz, of the 208 th Regiment, appeared at my office and stated that the Bavarian Regiments under Prince Ruprecht had received formal orders to make no British prisoners, and that those soldiers who made them were severely punished. "On March 18, another German deserter, called Friedrick Kullor, of the 2nd Bavarian Army Corps, stated that the Bavarian regiments ' had received formal orders to kill every British prisoner of war.. "On March 19, another German deserter, called Kahlmann, of the 35th Regiment of Infantry, stated that British prisoners were brought to German headquarters with their hands hound behind their backs, and bandaged eyes. They were not told that they wore to be shot. They were executed under the supervision of the commanding officers." Mr. Ditmar, a Press correspondent at Rotterdam, states:— "I make mj- oath that-Fricdrich of the 22nd Regiment of the 2nd Bavarian Army Carps (General Von Kluck's army), informed me that about December 28, 24 British prisoners of war-were shot by his company. One of the reasons given to him at the time was that they belonged to a regiment that h»l 'blown up the bridge over the Scheldt, near Antwerp, when many German troops were marching over it in pursuit of the then re treating British Army. Amongst/ the men who were shot were many officers. All these men were placed against the wall, one after another, new German soldiers being called up from the ranks to shoot in turn. This murder took place at Warvick, by order of Major Hofmun. "On a subsequent occasion olio British officer and four soldiers, who had surrendered, were shot in a castle at Hollebeke, after a hand-to-hand fight." BRITISH PRISONERS BURNED ALIVE SINISTER DISAPPEARANCE OF ONE OF THE INFORMERS. A statement by the Press Bureau, covering the same report, adds further details. (Rec. May 11, 8.5 p.m.) s London, May 11. Lorenz stated that in one case forty British prisoners had been burned alive in a hangar (aero-shed), and the men who committed the atrocity had rooeived medals. Fredrick Kuller, a Bavarian deserter, confirmed the statement about the order, and said that he himself had shot five prisoners Kahlmann, a third stated that British prisoners had. been brought to headquarters with their hands bound behind their backs, aiid their eyes bandaged, and executed under tho supervision of the commanding officers, without being told that they would be shot. Kahlmann added that nearly all had been wounded, as British soldiers never surrender while they are able to fight. ' Kuller and Kahlmanu stated that they did not approve of the order, as . they did not hate the British, though they feared them. Thev had deserted because of the officers' rough treatment, and because they had practically been starved in the trenches. A few days after-their interviews with Mr. Martin, Kuller, being short of money, went to the German Consul, despite a warning as to the danger of proceeding. Kahlmann accompanied him, and waited outside the Consulate foi three hours and a half, but Kuller was never seen again. He did not return to his lodgings.. REPORTS FROM THE PRISON CAMP (Rec. May 11, 11.20 p.m.) London, May 11. A White Paper, which has. been published, contains the reports of the United States officials who visited the camps of British prisoners and interned civilians in Germany. The reports indicate that there has been _an improvement in the treatment of prisoners. There were many complaints of the quality of the food, the accommodation, and the sanitary arrangements.