Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-24
THE FRENCH PRISONERS IN GER.
MANY.
How They are Treated-What They
do and What They Say.

10 anu w nat Eney say.
A correspondent of the London News
writes to that journal from Frankfort
on-the- Main on September 22d, as fol-
lows: WA A'A
| have spent the last two days at May
ence to get insight into the way the diff
fculty is dealt with of accommodating
the French prisoners. The number of
The main part of the privates and nom
commissioned officers are placed in a
camp outside the gates of the fortress,
on the left bank Of the Rhine. The camp
is situated between the Munster-gate and
the Gaugate, on the most elevated spot
of the territory, which surrounds the
fortress. 1t is, of course, in reach of the
guns of the fortress itself, as well as those
Of two outer works, right and left. The
camp forms an oblong, between two
public roads, with an intermediate space
on each side. -Four guard-houses,
mounted by Landwehr, and sur
rounded by their tents, are on the
four corners. The tents for the pris-
oners are the large circular and
pointed tents, made Of sail-cloth, and
supported by single central pole, Of the
Prussan infantry Thirty men can lay
down in each. Access to the camp itself
is strictly refused to everybody. / tried
to get special permission at the Office
of the governor of the fortress, the Prince
of Holsten, but, though | was armed
with the very best introduction, in vain.
1t was stated TO me as the reason of this
unusual strictness, that cases of dysen-
terry had made their appearance in the
camp, and that it was feared the infec-
ton might be carried by visitors into the
town. Neither the German nor the
French officers on parole in the town are
allowed to enter the camp, and the Land
wehrmen on duty at the camp must not
go into the town. The fresh provisions
are brought to the guard-houses and are
cooked inside the camp. The prisoners
receive three hot meals daily, coffee in
the morning, meat and vegetables at ten
O'Clock, and soup in the evening They
are very content with their fare and
say that it is more ample than what
they had in the French army. The
only thing they grumble at is that they
receive rye bread instead Of wheaton
bread. They must do six hours work
daily, mostly digging and road making,
nrenaratory work for the contemplated
future enlargement OF the fortress. Here
one has opportunity to see thea and
speak to them. The Landwehrmen, In
trusted with watching them, have, it is
true, been ordered to chase the public
away, but they make very light Of the
order. There are constantly ladies out
sioc making presents gf money and
cigars TO the prisoners, through tbs NE
diation OF the Landwehr sentry. The |
work thew do Is not worth much; it is, in |
truth. a mere show of work, just enough !
10 nrevent idleness doing iis mischief |
The contrast between the grumb,ipg !
Iandwehrmen who do not like at all their
monotonous duty, and tia talkative and
MERRY Frenchmen. who. TO mas. are glad |
70 have cot out of the war. is great.
With each gang at work taere are soise /
Alsatians or I,otbarineians stationed /
near the sentry. 10 serve as Interpreters
to him They all tell Won. | cannot de-
c;da with what degree of sincerity. that
tbev hone they will soon be German
soldiers. and will be in garrison at
NJ veree Each gang consists of a mix
,,,ra 90 troous of all arms The Land |
'.nt- .ute u stote that tbey have not vet
me,r III, ,.Su .n,. 80 oasa of disobedienee-she
IT, ITe. WIN oa,,taJ an T &c linn one has been
ureos $50 r'eu, VI n, .no &c escane
m gAeeu'el yia, An a''ePs =. ~, ~.
lne oniy Ilnieel'J u 70 ni1Ae hnsteslnoes I'll o.
uS sSnu " clSaniigess iss apI pasn'I .L
Inc DeheVoieni lauies ~py Pay trYm
Vlsls' are sonhetllnes Ios . ne.le nis"V
ened by ther iree-and-easy ways.
The officers on parole have got per
mission 10 put on PLAIN clothes, sng "
seems that all those who were provided
with the necessary cash, about one-half,
have availed themselves II. Bnt they
had not succeeded in hiding their char
acter to the people OF Mayence. They
know them at one hundred yards dis
tance. The only advantage to them OF
it is, they need not exchange salutes