MILITARY BRUTALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 27, 31 January 1920, Page 19

MILITARY BRUTALITY.

Testimony that Captain Karl W. Detzer had struck military prisoners in France In the fnce, aiul ordered his sergeants to "beat them up" in order to force "confessions," ■was given recently in New York by three witnesses, when he was placed on trial. The offence with which Captain Detzer In charged occurred while he was in charge of "criminal investigation" in the Lenians George E. Williams, of Corning. lowa, a discharged private, declared that while Sergeant F. L. Iloyt held his hands behind his back Sergeant U. S. Madden beat him, .until, fearing he was to be "killed," he had signed a statement which he believed was to the effect that he had stolen property. Private Thomas J. McAdnms, sth Guard \Company at Governors Island, testified that after having been "picked up" on the patient at a base hospital, be had been beaten by Sergeant Hoyt. Detzer, he said. not confess to a certain crime so that he would not lie beaten any more, and left after Hoyt said: "Get out of the room, captain, while I give him some more." McAdams said he had signed a statement prepared by Hoyt because he was in fear uf his life, from appearance of Captain Detzer and his men, "armed with guns and blackjacks."