GERMAN SOLDIERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11512, 7 October 1915, Page 7

GERMAN SOLDIERY.

CHARGES OF ILL-TREATMENT. DEBATE IN THE REICHSTAG. IHvCNK. August UJ. lulormH.iion has penetratvfl through io Switzerland to the effect that charges of ill-treatment cm the part- oi turimm officers tow ard their men were made during the recent (hdiberutions of the Hudgot Commission of the Heidi:sttig, Tin; debate is reported to havo lasted sevi nil houi>. Representatives of ell parties declared. that they had received hundreds of complaints and appeals for help from nir-n called to if 10 colours, and us many n« live Social Democratic deputies produced an uocumulation of evidence pointing, to th<? prevalence in tho army ol the most violent compulsion and the most despotic drill. . . .From the reply in ado by the Minister of "War it appeared that sine© the outbreak ol war orders had several times been sent to the front uitli a view to putting a stop to such proceedings, and it was promised that another general order to officers should be issued. The Minister denied that the state? of things complained of was general. and refuted .some of the accusations. although with regard to some of the charges lie admitted, ho described the treatment accorded the men jm disgusting (absohculk'h). His defences cf the officers was that some of them must have had insufficient, experience and training, aud he called upon the members present not to discuss tlio matter in the pleinu'.v sitting of the Reichstag, so that the impression should not be created abroad thai the German army leaders were compelled to drivo their troops to batt-lc in order to curry on their victorious campaign. .ft was agreed to accede to the request., although somo Social .Democrats were, in favour, of (in open discussion, as they regarded tho minister's statement# as unsatisfactory*' and considered that such n discussion would allay the uneasiness of many civilians and calm the feeling of the soldiers. The reference subsequently made to the matter in the plenary sitting wa.s. therefore, of :x more or Ipsa formal character. A Social Democratic -deputy referred to the complaints that had been received, and the Minister of War replied as before. He repeated his promise' that another general order should be issued to officers, and stated that the instances of uiuluo sovority had occurred among the men in training, and not among thoso actually at the front.