The evening times., 1900-01-19
KRueER,s PRISONERS OF WAR.
An English Omcer Describes Life in
the Pretoria Prison.

the Pretoria Prison.
(From the New York Herald)
PARIS, Jan. 1.-THE Figaro" publishes
a long letter which an English officer, a
prisoner of war in Pretoria, has written to
member of his family.
The writer, who signs himself Reggie,
says: I'VE 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 / as
sure you it is a pitiful condition. Some
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 well
and very well treated We sometimes re-
ceiye visits from those in command at
Pretoria-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 DUN dun, bullets.
At first we were nine officers prisoners
and about $50 men. but the other day our
number was increased by forty-five officers.
ment and Royal Irish Fusiliers, with Colo
mel Carlton, so that row we are about
fifty-four officers and l. 400 men.r
I'm front of the building there is a We
randa. on which We sit and watch the peo-
pie go by. The government gives us
canned beef, bread, and water to drink,
and from time to time lime juice.
'Once week we get potatoes. Hap
PLY, We are now allowed to buy whatever
% haa ahi To
ize mess, and our menu is re-enforced by
bacon, porridge, preserved vegetables, pot
ted meats, pickles. and tobacco.
Each day We send out our orders and
the things come later. OF course. when
taken prisoners we had only what was on
our persons, so we had to purchase many
| necessities, such as sponges, soap, tooth
brushes, hair brushes, and combs. The
Transvaal Government however has given
TO each of us an iron bedstead, with mat
tress and pillow. a pajama, shirtsnpocket
handkerchief, towels, socks. etc We also
received ready made suits. as our khaki
uniforms were too much worn
We officers live in a large building that
was formerly used as a schoolhouse. The
men are still kept on the rac4 course. We
are constantly far more comf5rtab e than
We were on the race course. for this is a
stone building while on the ra course
not so warm as the race course prison.
! We are not so much annoyed by flies, but
at night there are good many mes
quitos. We are guarded night and day by
a strong police force, although nole # US
has any intention of trying 10 escape. We
are surrounded by iron palisades. Behind
the house there is a small grass plot, on
which Z little zinc hut has been erected 10
serve as a kitchen.
Here tents have been put up for ser
wants. We were allowed 10 bring tie men
! from the race course TO act for US. There
I are also tents for the guard and zinc hut
which does duty as a bathroom. We rise
! at G so O'Clock and indulge in cold bath.
| When | am dressed ] walk around the
building eight times, which makes a mile.
AT $50 we breakfast on pOrridge, ba-
! con, sardines, butter, jams. and tea o. cof-
/ fee. They give US the tea and coffee and
bread and the rest we buy. After break
fast We generally read and smoke until
lunch time at l O'Clock, when We get beer,
bread. butter, jam, and water. The after
noon seems very long. At i:30 We have tea
and at dinner. After dinner some of US
play whist or chess. while Others read.
generally go to bed at 9.S0 o'clock Our
checks are provided. They are counter
signed by the senior officers and casre1