PRISONERS SHOT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 594, 5 January 1916, Page 3

PRISONERS SHOT.

RUSSIAN CAPTIVES AS SHIELD. At the .office of the Special Commission appointed by the Emperor to enquire into German and Austrian methods of barbarism and publish details of all authenticated cases, there were exhibited to-day photographs of two letters found on dead German soldiers (says Hamilton Fyfc, special correspondent of the "Daily Express" with the Russian armies). One of these ruffians had written: "When we find it very difficult to advance we push Russian prisoners in front of us towards their fellow-countrymen, Thus to some extent we reduce our losses." The other letter, written by a man belonging to a regiment which was in a light place, said: "We do not know what to do with our prisoners. Henceforward every one captured will be lei loose in front of our trenches and shot down there." I asked if J could see the originals, hul 1 was told they were at present at Moscow. The photographs, however, and the high chnraV-tcr of the senators who compose the Special Commission leave no doubt of their genuineness. It nuisl nol be assumed from them that such practices are general or even common, but they prove the state of mind of a number of Gorman troops and (he spirit in which the war is being carried on. The secretary of Ihe Commission told me he had jusl relumed from Moscow with half a ton of letters found on Germans. These will lie examined forthwith. They frequently prove useful, so frequently thai Hindenburg issued an order lo his troops not to go into action with letters in their possession. According to the official organ of the Russian Army he recommends both officers and men to refrain from writing home and to tell their families not to write to them. Such revelations of savagery as I have quoted are very awkward and unpleasant for the German leaders.