GERMAN CRUELTIES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 May 1917, Page 6

GERMAN CRUELTIES.

STORIES BY AN" AUSTRALIAN GENERAL.

Interesting details concerning Australian soldiers abroad, and of various matters connected with the war, were

given by Major-General James Gordon

Legge, C.M.G., who arrived in Melbourne last week. General Legge left Australia two years ago to succeed the Jate General Bridges. Speaking of the life of Australian troops in France, General Legge said that when he left the Somme. front they were in good health and excellent spirits, despite the cold and wet weather. "All that they think about," said General Legge, "is whether Australia will send them the necessary re-i inforcements. That is the standing topic of their conversation.' ' When asked if the Australian soldier was favourably viewed by the French country folk, General Legge sa'd: "Excellent: I hear of only one case in which the conduct of an Australian soldier merited censure —that was for using "bad language to a woman. When the report of his conduct was officially linown, an investigation was commenced, with a view of punishing the man if guilty. Official punishment "was unnecessary,'-' added General Legge drily, "His comrades had already sat in judgment on him, and we found the erring one in hospital suffering fr«:m the results of the corrective methods adopted. Of course, this generally impressed the French people in the neighbourhood, who now say that Australians will not allow to go unpunished even one of their own comrades if guilty of a wrong action. , "In many ways the Australians have

endeared themselves to the French people. They-are astonishing quicK in learning the French language. Their superiority in this direction over the English Tommy results largely from the fact that they throw themselves with great zest into the life of the people, being far less reserved than their Eng-

lish comrades. Another reason for their popularity is that generally speaking they have more money to spend when behind the firing line. They usually

sleep in the barns, and they buy their eggs and butter from the old farmer women. A great many Australians behind the lines also assisted the French people last year in their harvesting operations. Officially, the greatest confidence is shown in the Australian soldier, who, if the officers know r their work, is capable of anything, and will stop at no-

thing. '' Several gruesome particulars given by General Legge when asked if

he had actually seen any of the victims of the Germans' atrocities. ' I'did not actually see them," he said; "only on undoubted evidence 1 was shown, barndoors which bore marks indicating that men had been crucified on them, bayonets having been employed instead of

nails. I have also seen evidences at

certain places that children's brains had been wantonly dashed out. The womenfolk also tell sad tales of outrage. Personally, I feel a. 3if I could never again have social intercourse with a German. Collectively, the Germans are a race of criminal lunatu z,

and their national morality is nil. The - German Guards, however, are brave and are practically the on l ./ ones who will stand up to .a bay J lot charge. The Bavarians are sonn.vhat better than the Saxons, who. do not fight :is If their hearts were in the w->. \ When ihe

German prisoners are captu ed they usually show very little desire to escape, apparently being glal that their rhare in the conflict is over."