1918-07-31 — Page 7

SLAVE-DRIVEN PRISONERS. YEARS IN THE GRIP OF THE

GERMANE

· There was at least one man in London on June 4th who did not know what Dagday is. It was Corporal Maurice Cossun, son of the proprietor of the Ro staurant des Gourmets, in Lisle Street, W and a soldier of a French infantry regiment. He was captured in a despe- rate fight in September 1915, and has just escaped from Germany after more than thirty-three months as a prisoner of

AUSTRIA'S DEFEAT.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 31SE, 1918.

A GREAT MILITARY AND MORAL EFFECT.

RETREAT NOT A DEBACLE.

According to a message dated Jung 29th,

a military onlooker, after summing up the events of the past few weeks on the Italian front, anys

AMERICA AT WAR. "AEROPLANE PROBLEM.

WE ARE MAKING GOOD?

[BY WILL IRWIN.]

י

DISCIPLINE.

FRIENDLY CRITICISM OF BRITISH GENERALS.

An Allied Officer writes in a home paper :---When I was a boy at school the NEW YORK, May 31st. master who taught us English-he was When the British Army first landed at not an Englishman--never tired of im Houlogne in August, 1914, imagine some pressing upon us, the Latin individual- The present position appears to be that German-Swiss journalist, we will say, ists, as he called us, the superior team the Austrians have lost the whole of the watching the landing from the dock The discipline of you Anglo-Saxons, which ground gained by them in their great offensive, with the exoption of a small ship warps alongside, the gangplank characteristic, he would repeatedly ex seeter astride the Brenta The Italiana drops, and an offeer leaps to the pier, plain, was at the root of your success 28 south of the Piave and established a have re-occupied their former positions Imagine the Swiss then rushing to the nation and a world-Empire That team bridgehead on the left bank north-cast telegraph office and flashing across the discipline, which was first learned on the of Montello. The Austria retreat does border this message: There is only one extended, so wo

playing fields of your public schools, wer old, upwards not seem to have degenerated into a dis orderly flight, and it is fairly clear that fair was the statement, taade in heat and your public services, whether at home or British soldier in France." No less un

throughout your liberal professions and the main body of their forces succeeded in with the unfairness of political con- in the colonies. You Englishmen, in recrossing the Piave without serious

troverav which chilled England and public life-that is, whenever the in molestation. The retirement wat well Amerien a month or so ago: The Ameri- terests of the commonweal were at stake coured by rearguards which suffered car manufacturers have so far sent only-always played the game, by which our heavy losses. Some six to eight thousand one neroplane to the fighting front." I teacher inspfied that you played it for the Austrian prisoners were taken, whilst the was untrue just as the message of the honour and glory of the country and of Italiane recaptured the greater part of hypothetion German-Swiss journalist was the particular service or corporation you the guns they had lost besides taking a true, and equally unfair. At the moment happened to represent, and not for mere number of Austrian gans and a large when this statement was made the ship- seil-advancement or popular reputation. quantity of war, material. The direct ment of American fighting acroplanes in THE ZEEBRUGGE EXAMPLE cause of the Austrian retreat appears to quantity was just about to begin. The munition and supplies across the Piave While we had only one entirely Annericun in the flooded state of the river, most of acroplane at the front, we had all along the bridges having been destroyed. The contributed to the manufacture of acro- Austrian troops south of the river were planes which were technically French or consequently left with inadquate sup

British machines. So we had increased plice, and their higher command presuma the production of our Allies. Still fur ahly thought it prudent to withdraw them ther, lacking as yet the technical skill to in view of the danger of a strong Italian manufacture aeroplanes of the exceedingly Thousands of prisoners are formed to counter-attack on exhausted troops short high quality which fighting conditions work in the coal mines in Westphalia, of food and ammunition with few bridges demand, we had largely taken off the Alost of the mining is done, I believe, and a swollen river in their rear. The hands of our Allies the task of making by prisoners, although there are, of Austrians have undoubtedly suffered inferior acroplanes for training purposes, course, Germans as well, to see that they very serious check. Although this defeat Formerly the French,

You often: see a raan without may not have been directly caused by the Italians had raanufactured these machines an arm or a leg-he has lost it in an

attacks of the Italian army, it was never for themselves. In this work they em. accident in the coal mine. Most of thetheless due to the magnificent tenacity of ployed mechanics quite capable of making

the

Our production of school Italian defence which prevented the battleplanea. prigners are not used to wining, that Austrians from extending their gains planes released these expert mechanics for 15 why there are so many accidents and south of the Piave, and inflicted tremend.higher uses just as a Belgian mechanic why so many limbs are lost. I saw

ous losses on them. The knowledge that put to work at Essen by the Germans young Welsh Guardsman before he went the Italian morale was unimpaired and releases some German youth to the fight- to the mines and met him again three that strong reserves were available must ing front. mooths later. He was so changed, from have contributed in ne small degree, to gunt of food that I scarely knew bini. the enemy's decision to retire in view of "The conditions are shocking.

the danger of a powerful counter attack

During that time he has worked as a prisoner in Russian Poland, in Western Germany, and in Westphalia, as a tree Fruition works borer, a farm hånd, and a quarry labourer. He has worked in a gang with German convicts, as been marched in handcuffs as the penalty for trying to escape."

Corporal Cosson says that the Germans are at present short of foodstuffs, and are living chicky on potatoes; but so far as he could judge there is promise of a pretty good harvest in Germany this pure been the difficulty of getting án statement was unfair in still another way, England on many occasions, both before

year.

"Every bit of land that can be cut tivated, is cultivated, he told n Daily press representative. Prisoners of war have been employed in entting down wada, digging out the roots, and pre-

paring the and for crops.

do work.

פן

"In every munition factory in Ger HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES.

ay prisoners of war are forced to work. They are set to the hardest and heaviest work filling tacks, hauling heavy material, and digging. They are making new railways and new canals, as well as entting down forats":

STARVATION

Gomate

Of the starvation of prisoners in

cular instances,

in

Even before

Th

CAUSES OF DELAY.

Since those school days I have visited and since the war, as I have visited several of your colonies and self-govern- ing dominions, and always and every- here I have been struck by the fidelity of your racial and national portrait as designed by my old tutor. Your team discipline is just us he said it was: unique, and it is almost ubiquitous; civilians, soldiers, sailors have never dis played it in so splendid a nensure as they have done both here and in the British and battlefields since August, 1914. It was never so well typified as in the recent naval raid on Zeebrugge, where all your natal ratings worked ill for cash and each for all, thus affording the world the spectacle of a perfect team and an in- credible achievement.

Again and again I have noted the same admirable selflessness among gun fighting men at the front, from the youngest recruit to the oldest sergeant-major, from the newest subaltern to the divisional.

So inuch for the past: we have mad-general. dled, we have lagged, but not so much as the alarmsists would make you believe. When we entered the war the experts un your side of the water understood quite as well as did cur manufacturers, that it would be many, many months before we

on

AN EXCEPTION,

Only in one quarter have I discovered Austrian losses between June 15th and

it to be occasionally wanting a discovery 25th are estimated by the Italian general

which I must say has sometimes surprised staff to have been at least one hundred

and pained me and this is among the and fifty thousand, and this apporte could begin to be effective as aeroplane genetals holding the higheat appoint- be a low estimate. There are approxi-makers Anyone who has grasped the ments. Here, only, are feelings amount- mately sixty Austrian divisions on the spirit of American industry knows whying to a veritable resentment at co-opera Italian front. Of these thirty-seven were We were superior quantity producers; of tion or contradiction by another autho protably also took part in the fighting ducers. Low to medium, quality muschine itself, which is never miso and often

because of a supreme

in identified and other unidentified divisions most things we were enferior quality pro besides dismounted cavalry..

It may

h made goods, manufactured would match it is practically unknown-among off- the con- dangerous. This attitude is much rarer deumed that fully forty Austrian divi tinuous process-there none For six months last year," he said,sions were engaged in the battle and at the Germans stopped all parcels for

us, In very few branches of industry cers of corresponding rank in the Allied average of four thousand casualties per could we produce supreme quality. The or even the chemy countries. You do French prison, by way of what they division is a very low estimate consider-very opportunities of America piade not hear of French, Italian, or German called reprisals They if the Frenching the character of the fighting. In against it. Every young mechanic enter: generala claiming this or that appoint Government had reduced the weight of view of this, it is difficult to believe thated the shop with the hope that some day ment ns their due, declining to take any bread given 10--German prisoners in the Austrian losses can have big much he might become its manager or pro- other, and resigning because they do not France.

under two hundred thousand

He was more set on that than quite hit it off with a colleague or a > The prisoners' -food allowance is so Italians captured nearly twenty thousand or making himself a perfect mechanic Minister. They compose much wer sunul mengre that you take young men of prisonerse fore the Austrian retreat, it was the sprinkled Europe with £1, personal pride, out of devotion to the the height of industrial workmanship was differences as may exist, and pocket their twenty-five for forty. Morcover, when we received parcels the Germans did their clear that they had sustained a severe 2, and £4 cameras; when it came to fine State They are even found willing to best to make the food anulatable. Per repulse which was bound to have a serious haps a parcel contained a fin of sardines, effect on the morals of the army and na cameras and lenses for export serve in subordinate positions under the work you sold to us. In no other country men who may happen to have superseded a tim of condensed milk and a tin of tion. This repolse has now developed was imported so nearly synonymous them in office. bully beef. We were called up with our into a heavy defeat which may have most with high quality. This tendency was

important results in view of the

well plates, the tins were opened, and the known discontent and war weariness of especially marked in the coumodity which

Thus Falkenhayn is to day serving most nearly resembles the aeroplane-the sardines, the milk, and the bully beef the Austrias people. From the military automobile. Mr. Ford could not be under Ludendorft, just as Castelnau 15 were turned out, one on top of the other point of view the moral effect of the Aubenten in any part of the world his serving under Petain and Foch, whose on the same plate. The Germans kept trian defeat will be enamous. For three American genius for machinery, for in- superior he was two years ago, just as the tins

months the Germans had been attacking dustrial organisation in the continuous Nivelle served under Petain, then was Wherever he went. Corporal Cosson on the western front, and at a cost of process, made his good cheap little cat promoted over his head, and finally served found that the treatment of prisoners was huge losses had gained considerable supreme in its class. We were nearly as under bim once more. Then, at harah and brutal, TE

thought indecisive successes. A great "You always worked with a sentry at Austrian victory must have had an effect good in those medium-grade motor-cars, Versailles, we have the spectacle of senior your back," he said. " and if you turned on the morale of the Italian army and which sell now from £300 to £400; they men like General Bliss and de Robillaut Yet they do your head to speak to another prisoner people and might have obliged the Allies and their motors were still in the ma meeting under the chairmanship of a

chine-made class. It was when motor-car junior-like General Belin you were hit with a rifle butt, For to send reinforements from the western manufacture got out of that clnas, when not grumble, they do not grouse, they do trumpery offences prisoners are tied up front, which would been most undesirable it came to hand ronde, delicate engines, not assail their respective Governments to a pole in the ground for forty-eight Now the effect is exactly the opposite. that we failed. The possession of an on petty personal counts.

There are In the munition factories men The fighting value of the Austrian ay imported motorcar with a hand-made other things to think of than self and did not work hard enough were has suffered very severely and it may be engine was one of our symbols of plato-politics there are the Germans at the given into large ovens difteen or twenty thought, necessary to send German assist

gates of Venice, of Calais, of Paris. Then at a time-and the ovens were keptance, without which no forther Austrian at a temperature almost hot enough voj offensive on a large scale is likely. A big kill. If men begged for water they were German offensive on the western front is told You can have what you like if probable, nad Germany can ill-afford to you come out, and work. Men have had detach troops at the present time. to be carried away from the ovens to hospitali

hours.

:

THE PICTURE CHANNING.

cracy.

NEW PHASE, OF. PRODUCTION.

- TOUCHINIS

If the enemy had landed in your coun try probably nothing would be heard of When we first entered the war some one any disappointed and disgruntled war- proposed to a great Continential expert riora. Herein, you will say, lies the dif that his nation send across the Atlantic ference between their attitude and that n few of its acroplane mechanical experts of their Continental colleagues. Perhaps, in order tote this for 2 good aviation for pathaps not. It may be leewhere

teach us. I but foreman," he said. The European más your Generals and their sense of personal tens of the trade knew as well as we the creation and personal pride in the con

derful military instrument their own It would have taken a generation to edu hands have forged, the most superb im cate such a set of mechanic as were build. provisation in history This helps ing European engines, and in acroplane bob to understand and excuse their work at the front low quality products

touchiness about any interference, even are no good. It is a case of the best or legitimate interference, with their work nothing. Quite in harmony, the exports and powers. May I, their comrade, who on both sides of the water struck at have fought with them and admire them. understanding. For a certain term of appeal to them to remember the spirit of months America was to furnish parts to the playing fields, and to remember that send to the European factories for a armies exist, not to provide a personal comparatively smal body of mechanics, advertisement for the Generals, but to capable of the delicate hand work which provide a safeguard for the nations Let European production demands, to make them refrain, for the sake of all that our

LIB

The morale of the German troops on Corporal Cisson joined up at the begin. ning of the war and tepk part in the the western front has undoubtedly been Marne fighting, in the capture of Sols higher this year than at any time since mons, and ether battles up to Vimy Ridge. the battle of the Somme in 1916, The defects and virtues of American industry, After his capture in September he was main reasons for this good morale were in a fortress at Lille, and afterwards at the Russian collapse, last year's victories Manster and pulmen, in Westphalia. In in Italy and the hope of an early peace. 3910 he went in a cattle truck to Grodno, The picture is changing. The Austrians ig Russian Poland and near here, on a have been defeated and no help is to be diet of dishwater soup" and a small expected from them. On the contrary, piece of black bread with some coffee" submarinism has failed and the Germans 210 pm, he worked at tree felling twelve are beginning to realise it. Food scarcity hours a day, for six months continues in Germany and little or no Our boots wore out, he said, “and relict has been obtained from Russia, we were made to work the forests in Pence no longer appears so close and bare feet, which were ent and torn and German peace is fading into the distance braised. Men who complained were ide Kuehlmann's recent spec) The knocked down by the statries with their German nation has for years been longing training plane In this period we were peoples have at heart, of our past sacri rilles. In the forests, we used to pick for peace, and though there was a chance to try a daring experiment, to see if we fees, of our present perils, from setting mushrooms and catch frogs and cook them this spring as a result of their successes could not raise continuous machine pre- an example of selfishness and indiscipline over wood fires"

on the western front and the peace with duction to such a height of quality as Russia, a serious reaction is getting in make an acropline engine, capable of to to the fighting ranks and from endanging The morals and fighting value of the speed, endurance, and flexibility which the solidarity of our Grand Alliance. Corporal Cosson's next experience was Allies have remained unimpaired poil marks the hand-made engines of Europe. at clearing woods and turning them into their numbers are rapidly increasing. This was taking a chance, but it seemed «VATERLAND” VERY USEFUL TO fields near Dulmen, and from here, as These are all important factors whichworth taking in view of the fact that punishment, he was sent to a munition have been emphasised to show the enor under European methods we could never Entory, where he emptied trucks and car-victory. Napoleon's famous saying that mistakes, there was muddle, there were mous value to the Allied cause of Italy's hope to be large producers. There were

On her latest voyage the. Vaterland, rird iron on the saine starvation ration morale is to physical as three to one, re-usexpected cbstacles...

The engineers the largest German steamship seized by In June last year he and ave others escaped, but after tramping for eleven mains true. The effect of the nights they were recaptured and sent trian defest will be to the great Aus working on the Liberty" motor oscillat the United States, took 12,000 men

the morale ed between hope and discouragement; the France. The speed with which the troops back in handenfis to Dulmen,

of the Allied nations and to strengthen period of months during which we were and material were landed from this For this attempt to escape Corporal their staying power and determination to to make good expired giant" and with which the conling was Cosso was put for three weeks in a dark win the war, whilst increasing the fight- News went abroad that we had failed. call, and his food consisted of soup and ing value of our armies in every theatre The unfair damning fact that after a year porformed was such that in less than four

piece of bread once in three days of war. Conversely, it will cause serious or so we had delivered only one fighting days all the work was accomplished. */ On the other days he had nothing

depression among the war-weary civil plane passed into print. At that very He was sent to a fortress, where he population of the Central Powers and will moment, as a matter of fact, we were went out to work with convicts in a lower the morale and offensive spirit of about to make good. We are beginning the Western front ran over Europe last quarry His clothes were marked with their armies.

to deliver neroplanes for observation and year. As the months went by, this be he had to wear a German con-

scout work at the front, and to deliver red

American aeroplanes appeared, Only

the Military reputation as boastere whereas the Yan

small

vict's carg

AT-A MUNITION FACTORY

15

ALLIES

and no

rformanered to what

england, France, and

them in quanamber drday Juliasport only served to revive our ancient. "One day," he said two German used to pray for ten minutes every morn Kohn, senior convicts, tried to escape They were ing before the prisoners had breakfast, Affairs Committee in Congress lifted the just now is almost too humble concern caught and the sentries, having knocked which took about five minutes to eat

wil of the censorship for the meals attainments as a war maker.

it is only a them down, went to a little wood and cut From here the corporal and three others We have, he said,ent 1,200

small planes to France Most of these minst some short thick sticks. With these weascaped Two were recaptured-one

performance, rons they beat the two convicts until they police, dog, and the other by patrol have gone forward during the past

This is not a promise there has plished, it is also only a forecast of what wore half dead, children looked on laughing escapes the corporal and his comrade cross been too much of that. The prophecy of firmly believe will follow. For the In April Corporal Casson was sent to a torrent, in which they were nearly tome mouthy and irresponsible person, Liberty motor, our great problem, is work on a farm, where the German farmer drowned, and found themselves in Swit that we would put 100,000 peroplanes on solved, of that, I shall have more to say

terland and safety.

(Continued at foot of next Columin.) to-morrow -Ucily Telegraph. (Continued at foot of next Column:)

German women and but after various adventures and narrow

month

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2,400 Old Boys have joined the Royal Navy. 6,500 have entered the Merchant Service

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NEEDS

HELP.

The Country Homes of the Society are represented by-

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19953

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