The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-19
KRUeER,s PRIsoNERs or wAR.
An English Officer Describes Life in
the Pretoria Prison.

(From the New York Herald)
PARIS. Jan. 1.-THE Figaro" publishes
long letter which an English officer, a
prisoner of war in Pretoria, has written to
member Of his family.
The write- who signs himself Reggie -
says: we are completely cut off from all
news Of the outside world, and are not al
lowed to see the newspapers. We know,
however, of Ladysmith being bombarded.
Here we are prisoners Of war and 1 az
sure you IT is pitiful condition. Sonic
times / feel as II / were going mad and
wish ! had been shot We had hoped we
should be exchanged or released on parole.
but the BOer authorities do not appear 10
understand what parole means. and seem
TO think we should not keep our word.
AS far as health goes. we are all we'll
and very well treated. We sometimes re-
ceiye visits from those in command az
Fretoria-the secretary OF war field cor
nets. chief magistrate. and others. They
are all very polite. but are under the firm
impression that their prisoners are not
well treated by US. and they are convinced
that our troops use 'dum-dum, bullets.
At first We were nine officers prisoners
and about $50 men, but the other day our
number was increased by forty-five officers.
almost all officers of the Gloucester Regi-
ment and Royal Irish Fusiliers. with Colo
mel Carlton, so that row we are about
hfty-four officers and 1 400 men,.
In front Of the building there is a We
randa. on which We sit and watch the PEG
pie go by. The government gives "
/ canned beef bread, and water to DRINK,
and from time 10 time lime juice.
once week we get potatoes. Hep
PLY. We are now allowed TO buy whatever
We please, so We have been able to. orga n.
re mess. and our menu is REINFORCED BY
/ bacon, porridge, preserved vegetables. pot
ted meats, pickles. and tobacco.
Each day we send out our orders and
the things come later. or course. when
taken prisoners we had only what was or
our persons. so We had to purchase many
necessities, such as sponges. soap tooth
/ brushes, hair brushes, and combs. The
! Iransvaal Government however. has given
/ 10 each OF us an iron bedstead, with mat
| tress and pillow. pajama shirts rpOcket
handkerchief, towels, socks. etc. We also
4 received ready-ma suits. as our KHAKI
uniforms were too much worn.
We officers live in large building thai
| was formerly used as a sChOalhouSe. Tn,
men are still kept on the RAGS course W,
/ are constantly far more cornfjrtab'e thar
I We were on the race course for this is Z
stone building. while on the "a G cUurs,
/ are nothing but zinc sheds Il is, however
/ not so warm as the race course prison
]
! al night there are a good many mos
/ quitoS We are guarded night and day by
q strong police force, although nO-e II U,
: has any intention OF trying 10 escape. W,
( are surrounded by iron palisades. BEHIND
{ the house there IS a small grass plot OF
/ which = little zinc hut has been erected Il
! serve as a kitchen.
! Here tents have been put up for ser.
wants We were allowed 10 bring tel meI
I from the race course 10 act for us. Tier,
/ are also tents for the guard and q ziuc hu
! which does duty as a bathroom. We us,
/ at $50 o'clock and indulge in a cold bath
/ When I am dressed ] walk around ID,
| building eight times, which makes a mile.
/ AT $3.50 we breakfast on porridge. ba-
/ con, sardines, butter jams. and TEA o. COT
/ fee. They give Us the tea and coffee and
1 bread and the rest we buy. After b-eak.
I fast We generally read and smoke unit
/ lunch time, at / o'clock. when We get beer
bread. butter. jam. and water. The after
Z noon seems very long. At i.39 we have te.
and dt dinner. After dinner some OF ul
I play whist OF chess. while Others Rad
generally 90 TO bed al $3.50 o'clock. Gu
/ checks are provided, They are COUNTER
signed by the senior officers and easel"