THE BLACK HAND

Southland Times, Issue 17749, 2 June 1916, Page 5

THE BLACK HAND

MURDER OF INTERNED GERMAN. BLACKGUARDS IN CONCENTRATION CAMP. (By Telegraph— Press Assn —Copyright) SYDNEY, June 1. Received June 1, 7.50 p.m. An open verdict was returned at the inquest on Hans Fortman. The Coroner said the evidence showed that the deceased was a member of the Black Hand secret society, which composed the worst characters in camp, who blackmailed and terrified rich, influential, and physically weak fellow Germans. The want of evidence to show who struck Portman was due to a well-concerted conspiracy of ignorance for fear of the consequences. The Coroner supported the suggestion that the worst class of prisoners should be deported - after tho war. Sensational disclosures were made at an inquiry into the death of Hans Portman, a German prisoner of war at Holdsworthy Camp. Tiic Commandant of the camp gave evidence that numerous brutal assaults were committed in one compound, and men were taken to hospital with broken ribs and fractured skulls. He was informed that tl'.ese outrages were the result of the formation of a Black Hand Society, consisting of 30 or 40 members, who threatened the lives of moneyed and influential persons if they were not paid certain sums. A political organisation also existed in the camp, instigated by influential people, for the furtherance of political ends in the camp. When they had done with their president they clubbed him over the head and fired him out. Several disturbances arose on April 19, culminating in 2000 prisoners, armed with cudgels, maltreating several socalled members of the Black Hand Society. Four of these men, covered with blood and gravel, were thrown out the compound gate. They were afterwards picked up and taken to hospital, and one of them, Portman, died a few minutes later. The Commandant stated that he could not in-event these outrages unless he shot a number of Germans, which would be inhuman, as the prisoners had by violent means been ridding themselves of the criminial element amongst them. He had since interned 15 suspected members of the Black Hand, and the disturbances thereupon cased somewhat.