BRUTALITIES TO WAR PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 71, 18 December 1918, Page 5

BRUTALITIES TO WAR PRISONERS

REVELATIONS IN OFFICERS' JOINT DIARY

DELIBERATE PERSECUTION

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, December 16. Among tho many testimonies to the Germans' ill-tratement of prisoners is an authentic diary kept by a committee of British officers at Holzmimlen, which is now available, as the owners have returned. All tin entries were carefully made, and set clown in businesslike form, and individual eases were signed by the olliesrs concerned, and all vouched for by B"e senior officers whose names nre given. The committee declares generally that persecution, was deliberate, persistent, and systematic. The prisoners were refused outdoor recreation,, music, nuil opportunities to study, and even religious services. An English chaplain administered tho eacraiuent in a pnss.ige at the end of which there was .1 constant stream of traffic. The diary completely establishes the evil reputations of Nierncyer and Haniscli. The former was normally brutal 'and foul-mouthed, and he incited his subordinates to similar courses.

Among many cases detailed is that of Lieutenant Canston, an Australian aviator, who was detected trying to escape. He made a statement to a chaplain that he was shot through the arm while getting through tho wire, and turned back holding up his hands. The sentry continued firing but missed until . Canston was within three yards. The sentry then fired into Causton's mouth, shattering the right side of his jaw. The sentry, seeing the injury, remarked 'That's good." Captain Godman, of the Sussex 'Regiment, though severely ill. was kept all day long in a room guarded by a sentry, and was given a cup of lea in tho morning, and one of coffee in the evening, and had no food at all. He died four days later.—Ahs.-N.J4. Cable Assn.

RETURN OF FAMOUS AIRMAN LIEUTENANT ROBINSON'S EXPERIENCES. London, December 16. Lieutenant Robinson, who brought down the first Zeppelin in England, and who was subsequently taken prisoner, end has been repatriated, has heap in eight prison camps. Although he is reticent, it is understood tTiat the Germans treated him badly nn account of his exploit.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.