DOCTOR'S STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 113, 14 May 1936, Page 7

DOCTOR'S STORY.

FORCED CONFESSION. Beating and Death Threats Alleged. AS PRISONER OF ITALIANS. Onited Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, May 13. The story of how the two Poles, Dr. Maximilian Belau and Dr. Thaddeus Medyusky, were treated after being captured by the Italians in Abyssinia until Dr. Belau had signed a statement regarding the Italian bombing operations, is related by Dr. Belau in the "News Chronicle." The doctor, who withdrew his previous retraction after liis arrival at Geneva, states that when he and his companion were captured the Italian soldiers wanted to shoot them. "However," the writer continued, "an officer sent us to divisional headquarters, where we were assaulted and kept kneeling for five minutes until the Italians had chained me to my cook and two helpers. When I was released, Dr. Medyusky and I were placed with our backs to a wall and 12 soldiers armed with rifles took up their positions. "Someone intervened. I was overcome by shock and cried like a child. The Italians took us to Makalle, an officer saying the soldiers wanted to kill us, but if 1 spoke well for Italy, Marshal Badoglio could save my life. We received no food or water all day and in the night we were taken out three times and ordered to turn our back to firing squads, while the soldiers opened and closed the breeches of their rifles. "Finally, amid laughter, we were sent back to our tent. Ten days later an official informed me that Marshal Badoglio was very angry and would have us tried by court-martial, when there would be only one verdict—we would be shot. "The official said: 'If you are wise you will sign a declaration I will give you.' I was suffering owing to a beating and the continual exhibition of hatred, but I only signed a paper declaring that I woidd protest against the bombing of Dessye.

"Then we were sent to Massawa, a_ 26 hours' journey in a lorry without food or water. After that we were kept three days in a prison cell with a cement floor. We were given bread and water once a day, after which 1 signed the declaration the Italians desired, only in order to save my life." DUMDUM BULLETS. ITALIAN NOTE TO GENEVA. .British Official Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 13. A Geneva Press message stated that a communication made yesterday by the Italian Government regarding the alleged shipment of dumdum bullets from Britain to Abyssinia has not yet been published, but is being held up at Rome's request.