TRIAL OF A COWARD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 37, 7 November 1917, Page 8

TRIAL OF A COWARD

HIS TRENCH EMOTIONS.

i curious study in cowardice is presented by the case of a deserter named Stephano Dessalcs, aged twenty-three, the first French soldier during three years of war to admit frankly to a court-mar-tial that he is craven (writes the Paris correspondent of the "Daily Mail ). Dr. Vallon, who made a study of the prisoner's mentality, (old tho judges: 'Dessalles is an omotional character. Ho is a coward. He is afraid of thunder and other things, but not so obsessed by fear as to render the case one of mama. At first he did his duty at the front, but allowed himself to boconio depressed more easily than a normal man. But to say that he deserted under the irresistible influence of fear or in a state of irresponsibility is going tuo far. Ho was simplv unable to offer the same resistance to the omotions of war as an ordinary man." The deserter told the Court: 'I am timid. In my family we are nearly all like that. I am afraid of everything." Asked if he thoiuht himself capablo of doing his duty if sent back to tho front, lie replied earnestly, "T will do my be*t, but I am not certain." The Court sentenced him In two years' imprisonment, but humorously gave him the benefit of the First Offenders' law, with the result that will return immediately to the trenches.