GHASTLY ORDERS.

Northern Advocate, 12 May 1915, Page 5

GHASTLY ORDERS.

- HO BHITISH PRISONERS."

POHTY BURNED AUVE.

:.[AXY riilOT IN COLD BLOOD.

(Press Assn.—Reed. S.o p.m.)

LONDON, .May 11

The Pros;; Bureau has published a despatch from the British .Minister at the Hague enclosing the sworn declaration of Johannes Martin, editor of the "Rotierdamsche Is'ieusblad," who states that Richard Lorend, a deserter, told him that Prince Ruprecht'a Bavarians were formally ordered to make no British prisoners.

In one case forty Britishers were burned alive in a hangar, aad til* men who committed the atrocity received medals.

Frederick Kuller, a Bavarian deserter, confirmed the order and said that ho himself shot five prisoners. .

* Kahimann, a third deserter, stated that. Britishers were brought to headquarters with their hands bound behind their backs and their eyes bandaged and were executed under the supervision of the commanding officers without being told they would fre shot. Kahimann-added that nearly all ffpi'o wounded, as the British soldiers would not surrender while they were able to fight.

Kuller ami Kahlmann stated that they did not approve the order, aa they did not hate the British troops, though they feared them. They deserted *bc*causo of their officers' rough treat-

ment. They were practically starved in the trenches.

A few days after these interviews with .Martin, Kuller, who was short of money, went to the German Consul, despite warning of the danger. Kahlmaiin accompanied him and waited outside the Consulate for S hours. Kulier has not been seen since and has not returned to his lodgings.

Vaditmar, a newspaper correspondent, in a declaration states that Kuller told him that his company shot twenty-four British prisoners because they belonged to a regiment which blew up a bridge over the Scheldt when many German troops were crossing in pursuit of the retreating British army. All the men were placed against a wall and shot on e after another at Warvick, under the order of. Major Hofman.

On anothsr occasion a British officer and four soldiers who surrendered were shot at the Hollebeke Castle after a hand-to-hand fight with their captors.