THE CROMPTON COURTMARTIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1919, Page 8

THE CROMPTON COURTMARTIAL.

'; *" r (FUKTHER EVIDENCE. ' of Telejraph.—Press Associitiaa. Wanganui, Yesterday. The of Lieut. Crampton on charges of ill-treatment of prisoners at Wanganui detention barracks was resumed to-day. Lieut.-Colone! Colquhouu presided, Captain Hudson acting as prosecutor and Captain Baldwin as Judge Advocate. Lieut. Crampton was represented by Mr Loughnan (Palmerston .North) and Mr Armstrong (Wanganui). A considerable number of interested spectators were present. The Judge Advocate pointed out the possibility of an objection to the constitution of the Court, in that it was not properly constituted according to the Kind's regulations, but said that accused's counsel had agreed to waive any informalities that might be involved as Crampton was anxious that the trial should be proceeded with. The first charge was one of ill-trcaf-m.ent of Private Harry Wilson in grabbing him by the neck while two N.C.O.'s placed a military pack on him. Addressing the Court the prosecutor emphasised that a soldier undergoing detention was not a prisoner, and should not be called one. Mr Loughnan said that Crampton'-; principle witness was still ill in hospital and this being one of the grounds for the adjournment it was impossible to conduct a defence without Sergt. Smith, and he suggested that under the circumstances, the Court might consent 'to a further adjournment The Court decided to proceed as far as possible. The prosecutor, in outlining his case, said that Crampton introduced a system of punishment at the barracks contrary to the regulations. His powers were to order punishment by close confinement for a period of not more than three days, and diet punishment for not more than three days, with deprivations or for fejtura of remission of sentence for a period not exceeding fourteen days, He asked that the charge be altered from "grabbing by the neck" to "graibilig by the hair of the head." The President said the Court had no power to amend the charge, but, if proved in evidence, could give a special finding. Private Harry Wilson gave evidence that he was in the detention barracks from about April 28, 1018. On his arrival the roll was called, and Crampton addressed the men to the effect that if they would carry on they would have a good time, but if they did not they would have a damn had time. Witness said he was put in the refractory cell after being searched. Crampton, with Sergt- Smith and. CorpL Parmenter, came into the cell. Following on witness' repeated refusal to address an officer as "sir," Crampton ordered him three days bread and water, remarking: "We tame lions here." After three days in the refractory, witness was ordered two hours pack drill- He had no uniform so one was found for him, but he refused to put it on- He was then stripped and the uniform put on. Tie had no chance of resisting as Smith held his arms and he was forciblv undressed and forcibly dressed in uniform. When he got to the barracks a rifle was put on his shoulder and he was ordered to march. He was wintering along in his own way when he was warned by Lieut. Crampton that if he did not do the regulation step he would have double fatigue. Witness did not increase his pace nor double. Lieut. Crampton then ordered Lance-Corpl. Walker to help witness along, which He did by pushes and punches which did not hurt as thev were mostly on the back'At the end of an hour witness was ordered back to his cell. Crampton spoke to him hut witness did not reply. Crampton tried to get an answer and failing, ordered witness an extra hour of naek drill- When he was ordered to put on the pack he refused and Crampton grabbed him by the hair with both hands and pushed him forward while two men put on the packTo Mr Loughnan: Witness was not (Sentenced to detention lor insolent subordination, but for disobeying the lawful toonunand. He was a conscientious objector and unable to carry out orders of a military nature. He did not recog- _ niso Crampton as a superior officer, He did not consider himself a soldier, but a civilian. Crampton, in his dealings (with witness, did not display personal lanimus against him, but reasoned amicably with him in the cell and advised him to observe the regulations He offered to remit a portion of the sentence of three days solitary confinement if witness conformed, and when witness conformed had no complaint re Crampton's treatment. No unnecessary force was used against witness when Crampton was present. Witness wrote* the truth in the newspaper letter complaining by his treatment at the barjacks. It was signed by eight men. He did not know that some denied signins Witness wrote under verbal instructions S>f the eight men. Thr.ee signed. Witness had the consent of the others Their names were Moynahan, Casey, Bell, Beaton. Fitzpatrick, Halket, Boyle and witnessMr Loughnan produced a document 'purporting to be signed by Fitzpatrick. OBoyle and Moyra denying that they signed the letter to Truth, He also produced a document signed by Casey and Bell admitting they placed their names on a blank paper, and denying that they signed the letter to Truth. | Witness: continuing, said his objections to military service were not on religious grounds. Witness was positive lis hair was pulled when the pack was put on. He was absolutely certain that Crampton pulled it. Further cross-examined, Wilson said it was true that the letter to Truth was signed by eight men, in that it was sign"]>y consent" of the eight men. Hewrote the letter in order to call public attention to what was going on at the 'barracks. To the Court: When a rifle was liancTed him it was placed on his shoulder, hut int, strapped. Donald Kerr, quartermaster at the bn.rr;u'ks, deposed that he saw CrunipK tiike Wilson by the hair and shake hi,n 'f(<e ,1 dog. At the same time Crampton „ . togeant Smith bawled bad language :• the man. ■i.mpton, in evidence, said he was *, ■ -i,y the authorities that no consien- ( i, rujectors would be sent to the borraeke: only shirkers and men who had b"i'ii dealt with my the military boards on either religious or other grounds, He ickimed it was his duty to see that the men carried out this, and to use force if necessary. He denied having pulled Wilson's hair or used any forceful measures, y.'ilson was sulky and obstinate, and Crampton spent three-quarters of an bur endeavoring to make him see that It was best to conform to the rules. After \ liat Wilson was more tractable. The court martial adiourawL