POLISH DOCTOR TELLS STORY OF ORDEAL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 194, 14 May 1936, Page 9

POLISH DOCTOR TELLS STORY OF ORDEAL

Captured by Italians ALLEGATIONS OF ILLTREATMENT By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received May 13, 7.40 p.m.) London, May 12. How the Pole, Dr. Belau, and his assistant, Medyusky, were treated by Italians until Dr. Belau signed a statement regarding Italian bombing is related in Dr. Belau’s own story, which is appearing in the “News-Chronicle.” Dr. Belau, who withdrew the retraction mentioned on February 27 after his arrival at Geneva, states: When we were captured soldiers wanted to shoot us, but an officer sent us to divisional headquarters, where we were assaulted and kept kneeling for five minutes until the Italians chained me to my cook and two helpers When I was released Medyusky and myself were placed with our backs to a wall and 12 soldiers, armed with rifles, took up positions, but someone intervened. I was overcome with shock and cried like a child. The Italians took us to Ma kale, an officer saying that the soldiers wanted to kill us, but if I spoke well for Italy Marshal Badoglio could save our lives. We received no food or water all day and during the night we were taken out three times and ordered to turn our backs to a firing squad while 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: “Marshal Badoglio is very angry and will courtmartial you, when there will be only one verdict. You will be shot. If you are wise you will sign the declaration I give you." I w-as suffering owing to beating and the continual exhibition of hatred, but only signed a paper declaring that I would protest against the bombing of Dessie. We were then sent to Massawa, 26 hours’ journey in a lorry, without food oi water. After this we spent three days in a prison cell with a cement floor and received bread and water once daily. Finally I signed the declaration the Italians desired only in order to save my life. An Adowa cable dated April 27 reported that Dr. Belau had retracted the statement he made on December 7, which was forwarded to the League of Nations, declaring that Italian aeroplanes bombed the Red Cross hospital at Dessie. He explained, it was stated, that he signed this statement without reading it. being forced to do so while performing a surgical operation in the presence of Haile Selassie. Dr. Belau and an assistant, Thaddeus Medyusky, who remained in a cavern with revolvers in their bands on the last night of the Italian assault, surrendered immediately the Italians captured Amba Aradain.