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[Page 150]
The Honorable,
The Minister of Defence,
Melbourne;
Sir;
I regret to have to report there has been a good deal of crime amongst the troops since they settled down to routine garrison duty here.
Unfortunately it is now only too apparent that some of the men who were enlisted for the Expedition, had unenviable records in Australia, and, owing to the fact that the force had to be despatched within a week of the first man being enrolled, there was no opportunity of making enquiry into previous character.
It was, therefore, only to be expected that a leaven of men of evil reputation would detrimentally influence many men of previous good character, but of weaker wills and poor individuality.
Moreover, it appears to be thought by many who would scorn to be guilty of theft under ordinary circumstances, that in war time they have full license to rob and loot without hindrance.
At first several minor cases occurred; in some the perpetrators were undiscovered while in others the offenders were somewhat leniently dealt with by summary punishment. This leniency, no doubt, gave confidence to those who were evilly disposed, as other cases occurred. Implicit orders were then issued to all troops that crime of this kind would be seriously dealt with, and the penalties the guilty persons were liable to were clearly set out and published.
Notwithstanding this, crime continued and the Non-commissioned Officers and Men referred to in accompanying list were tried by Field General Courts Martial, with the results shown on such list.
The case of Private A.J. Clogg was a bad one, and consisted of robbing under arms two Roman Catholic Missionaries by a party of five soldiers. Clogg was readily identified by the fact that he had lost the index finger of his right hand, and also by his facial features. His four accomplices could not be identified and unfortunately escaped.
The case of Privates J.R. McDonald, T.J. Wilson and W. Penney is also a bad one, and consisted of an organized robbery after hours in China Town. These men were members of the Military Police.
The sentenced men have been sent to Sydney, and the Court Martial proceedings in each case forwarded to the