CRAMPTON COURT MARTIAL

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 1175, 19 February 1919, Page 5

CRAMPTON COURT MARTIAL

(Per Proaa Association.} Wanganui, February 18. This morning Major Osborne Lilly, Director of Personal Service, gave evidence thit in" consequence of a letter in Truth became to Wanganui with instructions to investigate. He did not tell Crampton the purport of his visit ana said he was only having a look, and requested to have control of the men in detention Crampton and staff were not present when ho was with the men. He interviewed every man particularly the signatories of the letter, and invited their confidence, but be did not disclose the purpose of his visit. The only complaint he got was that the bread ration was not big enough. John M. Jenkins in evidence said be saw no marks on Donovan except a swollen hand which he had when he came into barracks. Donovan did not appear to be exhausted. Staff-Sergeant-Major Bell described the methods adopted at the detention barracks in Egypt. Some 200 men were under control. Detentionlets were examined and told what was expected by them. If a man refused to carry out orders force was applied. He saw this happen frequently. A man refusing to don uniform was forcibly dressed. If he struggled more force was used, sometimes be would be knocked about. The same thing happened when a man refused to minn; be was kept on the move by relays of the staff. Another method was to place man, either two or three in four, when parade was in colams of fours and fives, order for quick march —he had either to march or be walked over. This was effective. I Sometimes a * rope waeplaced round a man and he was pulled round till ha gave in. There were safe-guards against abuse of force. More severe treatment was given at other detention barracks. The staff handling the men were tte judges of the force necessary to make the men obey except in exceptional cases, which were referred to the Superintendent General The principle was for sufficient force to be used to overcome the ance offered.