A fair exchange no robbery: France gets a simulator in an exchange with Germany of prisoners “unfit for service.”
A French soldier arrived in France from Germany in a reciprocal exchange of prisoners supposed to be incapable of bearing arms. The man showed a paraplegia with clonic movements of exaggerated degree. He was rapidly “cured” after being placed in a military hospital, and disciplined. He proved to be a vulgar simulator.
It was clear that the German physicians had made a gross error in diagnosis; but what, asks Marie, should be done with such a man, since he evidently should not be given a convalescent leave or a retirement? Should he be sent back to his dépôt?
If a year’s treatment yields no results, Grasset suggests discharge with suitable gratuity.