FIELD PUNISHMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 36, 6 November 1918, Page 7

FIELD PUNISHMENT

MANNER OF INFLICTION DESCRIBED RESERVED FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES On several occasions letters have 'been received by the Minister (if Defence, and some have" been published in (lie newspapers, which refer to the infliction of Field Punishment No. ] in such terms as to make it appear that tho punish : ment is in tho'nature of torture—some correspondents have referred to it as "crucifixion"—and no doubt this term has given the. impression that, something of the nature of crucifixion is perpetrated. An oliicial cominunicalioii runs-.— "The term 'crucifixion' is a slang term given by the private soldier to this form of punishment.. The term is not of recent origin, but was in existence long ago, and if sticks, although it is not applicable to the present-day infliction of field punishment, which prescribes thai the man's arms must- hang by -the side of his. body or behind his back. Hie arms. ore. not extended, and there is nothing in his attitude or the punishment itself to .justify the term ''crucifixion.' Tlip punishment is not lighily 'awarded— it is .reserved for olVcnces of a serious nature;"and it often happens that offences which appear . trivial to people living comfortably in their homes are very serious ouences.in the field, affecting tho lives of many men. "The Army Act, section 44, enacts that n soldier on active service mny be awarded such field punishment (rther than flogging 'as may be" directed, by rules to be made by the Secretary of Stale.' "Rules were made on July !>, 1907, by the Secretary of State, paragraph 2 of which is.as'follows:—' •■■■■

: -."'When an>;ofi'ender is sentenced to field'punishment No. 4,he may, during tho continuance of'his sentence, unless the , court-martial or'the commanding officer otherwise directs, be punished as follows:— . " '.'■•." (a) He may be kept in irons—i.e., in fetters or. handcuffs, or both fetters and handcuffs—and may be secured so as to prevent Vm escape, j '.•(!>)'When in imns-he may be attached tor a period or periods not exceeding .two., hallrs in any'one day ' to a fixed object, but. ho must nut be so attached during- more than !;•• three out of any four consecutive !.-. '.. .. days,: a'or during.more than twenty- ..'. . one days in all. , (c)/Strap.; or ropes may bo-used for tho purpose of these rules in lieu ~ ' of irons. ■ • . • !' .(d)ne'niay be subject, to the'like la- . ' hour, employment, and-, restraint, and dealt with in. like manner, as i<. • if he were under a.sentenco of. im- ' ■ prisonment with hard labour. ".Field punishment is' carried out as ■prescribed by 'Regulations for the Use of Ihe- Proy'ost-Mhrshal'.s Branch. British Armies in France.' Tho-regulations, which aro dated' February 13, 1917; apply to Ciinada, Australia, New Zealand, and all other oversea forces, ntd it is understood that infliction of this punishment in the -overseas forces is not frequent, probably because the general: conduct of the men is not bod., It is reported Hi at the lmiuiie: - oMnfliction of the punishment never varies. The following oxtract, is'taken from, the regulations referred to, and (Inscribes exactly tlio manner in which tho punishment is. in- '". •'■. f ■ Section 6.—Field Punishment. "'l. Willi a view to ensuring thnt men sentenced to . Field ■ Punishment No. 1 should bo treated in the same manner, the following rules should be adopted throughout tfce Army. , "':! -(ii) Tho offender sliould bo attached (in view of his comrades, but not iu view of the public), standing firmly, on. his feet, for a period or periods not exceeding two hours in any one day, to a fixed object. His feet, 'if tied, must not bs more than Iwelvo inches apart, and it must be possible for him to movo euch foot at least thrco inches. If ho is tied rouud tlio bodv there must be no restriction of his breathing. If his arms oi , wrists are'tied there must be six inches' play between-them and the fixed object; to which they are attached. ■His arms .must' 'linn'jj either by the side of his body or.behind his back. He must not Iμ so attached during more than three out of any four consecutive days, nor during more than twenty-one days in all, As far as possible this will 'ake place always between 2 p.m. and i p.m. ' ■ '

(b) Irons should be used when available, but straps or ropes may be used in UouV them when necessary. Any straps : or ropes used for the purpose of these rules must be of sufficient width that they inflict no bodily harm, and leavo no permanent mark on the offender. " '(c) Total prohibition of smokin" rum ration (fexcopt • wlie.n in trenches), and prohibited from entering an estammet. "'(il) All possible fatigues. v "'(e) Pay: Deductions of pay for every d«y of field punishment awarded by field general court-martial or commanding onicer. ...

(f) G p.m. to 6 a.m. in the guardroom, 't'ho prisoner .will only be allowtd his blankete, and must el'eep on the lloor; if it is stone, ho may bo allowed straw. "'(g) Automatically goes to the bottom or leave roster. '.'<'s) I'ack drill for at least one hour, (i) Rations: Toa. biscuit, and bully, beef only (at discretion of C-0.C.). '"(k) Upon a report by a responsible medical officer that .iie continuation of .any portion of field, minishment would be prejudicmr.to the offender's health that portto.ftPmiist be at once discontinued. <£?•;■ . - 6 "The above, with the exception of (a) and (b), applies also to Field Punishment No. 2.

3.. -the A .P.M. ivill be responsible tor uniformity throughout his division, and will visit the unite occasionally to see theso orders aro strictly carried out. , i. The above aro to be strictly carried out, and no regimental amendments additions hre to be made. " 'a. Keld Punishment No. 1 for men « lighting units will be caiiried out bv their unite. Meld Punishment JS'o. 1 for administmtiye uiiifs mil.'be carried out in the divisional detention-room under the A.P.ir."' . . ■ . ■

Harry Louder,, who , is saying farewell to the singe, commences his second and final tour of Australia under the J and £. i'ait direction ■at Easter next Tear. Ho is expected to retire from active stage work when he returns to England-. curious find, was made by an officer stationed at Berwick depot while walking near the sea. His stick struck u hard object lying.'on the ■ grass-an oblong metal platb inscribed in German, ''We, William, by the grace of God, Emperor of Germany ami King of Prussia, grant tins recognition to the first officer'of the English steamer. Htiichow, David Sutherland, for his self-sacrificing-attempt at .res Duo at th? wreck of the German"stennier Lyilia." I'ho inscription is undated. ■

Piml CiuquGvalli (ne Emile Otto Paul Briiun), tho fanicus juggler, has left an estate of tho value of ,£26,217. ' ITe bequeathed iilOO.to Iris housekeeper Horack, and .£SO lo his servant Kate Di"ant. In the event of his wife predeceasing liim then he gives one-sixth of the residue in trust for his housekeeper Mario Horack for life, with remainder to his daughter Margot.