A MILITARY SCANDAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2829, 30 August 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

A MILITARY SCANDAL.

The German Emperor is furious (a tfclegram from Berlin reports) at another case of alleged cruelty on the part of army officers, which has resulted in the untimely death of Private Penzler, of the 7Gth Regiment, at Hamburg. His Majesty has ordered an immediate investigation, and the responsible parties will bo court-martialled and subjected to the severest punishment if found guilty. Penzler, a sickly young fellow, was discharged from the army hospital, where he had been under treatment for lung trouble for some time. He was immediately afterwards ordered on duty, and was under drill for five hours. He was slovenly in his drill, doubtless owing to his weakness, and the captain of his company ordered him to report to SubLieutenant Wirbel for one hour's punishment drdl. Lieutenant Wirbel did not allow the private to rest, but ordered him to attire himself in heavy marching kit, with knapsack and overcoat, and, in addition, to carry a rifle on each shoulder. The poor fellow marched up and down in the midday sun for an hour, his comrades noticing his painful distress, but not daring to interfere. Suddenly he fell to the ground in a dead swoon, and he had to be carried to the hospital, where he had a succession of hemorrhages. Next day he expired. The Emperor noticed the death of the soldier in " General orders " for the week, and asked how a man with lung disease happened to be on duty. He then learned the whole story, and was deeply moved. Turning to one of his aides, His Majesty exclaimed, "Arc all my endeavours to make my soldiers comfortable to be defeated by the brutality of my officers?"