The Washington times., 1901-09-29


the melting department alone--Scientific
American.
THE BOER CAPTIvES.
A British Account of the Treatment
Accorded the TransvaaI Men.
Most of the Beers when captured by the
British were ragged dirty and unkempt
In these respects a great Improvement
has been effected at st. Helena The old
clothes have been burnt and new ones
supplied. They are not made according
to the West End fashion, but they are
clean and comfortable. 1t is unfortunate
ly true that the demand for soap is still
very small at the camps, but many of the
prisoners-so strong is the force of ex-
ample and association-have learned to
initiate the scrupulous cleanliness Of
Thomas Atkins" Even a barber's shop
has been installed in the camps, and the
patronasS has grown steadily General
Cronje. who lives a long way from the
Deadwood camp, is stated to have i'm
proved his wardrobe considerably during
his residence in the island. He wears a
frock coat and a tall hat on Sunday,
while Mrs. Cronje, whose garments when
she entrained at Modder River for 81
monstown were contained In a modest
pillow slip. Is well supplied by a local
dressmaker. ION Sundays" to quote one
of the Gloucesters. "she comes out in tip
top style, with silk dress and patent
leather boots" 1t is satisfactory to know
that the Beers are very careful with the
clothes supplied to them by a paternal
government The only woman prisoner in
the island is Mrs. Cronje, and as she Is
.f I.,-~
lily the men have to undertake the duty
for themselves. Except in the depart
ments of darning and buttonholing they
proved the merit of their workmanship
big sewing machine has been supplied
to the camp, and by an ingenious wind
mill arrangement. devised by prisoner
with a natural bent for mechanical novel;
ties, the motive power is actually supplied
by the fresh breezes which constantly
blow across the sea girt Isle.
The military discipline is apparently the
mildest form of despotism consistent with
the preservation of the welfare of the
camp generally. They can get up when
they like. and they can go to bed when
they like" Many arise before daybreak
and commence making the inevitable cof-
fee. A little later the Beers. some in
small groups and others Individually be-
gin singing the hymns and psalms with
which it is their custom to preface the
days work. Some of the old Doppers are
provided with fiddle or other musical in
strument, with which they lead the sing
ing of their compatriots. In addition to
the nationalities already enumerated,
there are English, Scotch, and Irish
among the exiles. and 1t Is melancholy
fact that these cannot be induced to as
sist the pious Beers in their morning de-
votions, though they attend the more for
NAL services held in camp every Sunday.
Every Thursday an officer. accompanied
by guard of 100 men, enters the enclos-
ure in order to call the roll. but with this
exception the privacy of the prisoners
domain is rarely invaded. The Glouces-
ters state that the Beers have proved
themselves to be very Industrious in St
Helena. Many have worked for the local
farmers. and a still larger number have
employed themselves profitably in some
small industry, such as stick. pipe, and
basket making. Large numbers are al
lowed out on leave every day, and by
special permission can visit jamestown
Little shops have been started In the
camps for the sale of iuxuries. and even
a pawnbroker's establishment has recent
ly been auneu tut NieJ "a eSNsS
and biscuit tin huts.
Even in st. Helena the prisoners have
been divided latterly into two hostile par
ties. The trouble began apparently ow-
ing to the distribution OF circular ask
ing for the signature of the men who
were in favor of taking the oath of allie
glance. Those who assented became tar
gets for the opprobrium and persecution
of their fellows who advocated the con-
tinuance of the war. 1t seems impossible
TO obtain a true estimate of the strength
of the rival parties, but the beiligerents
were certainly the most demonstrative.
To such an extent did the quarrel go that
the huts of two or three of the peace par
ty were burnt and the inha abitants as
saulted. Finally, the authorities decided
to allow those prisoners desiring protec-
ton to leave the enclosure and set up an
other camp outside. About twenty OF the
rippIeaders. including the notorious Elon.
,rare taken to High Knoll Fort. and there
subiected to more rigid discipline. Of
fences In camp generally speaking are
punished by bread and water diet or con-
finement to a tent outside of the enclosure.
The latter is not popular, seeing that such
entertainments as take place-sports of
various kinds. concerts. sing-songs. and
even boxing-are confined to the arena
within the barbed wire. Letters, papers.
and parcels are received by the prisoners,
but everything intended either for the
camp or for South Africa must necessa-
rily be submitted to the staff of censors.
The interchange OF correspondence be-
tween the prisoners and their friends out
side, to say nothing Of the facilities en-
joyed in the island, enable the camp to
follow the course of the war fairly we'll
1t is encouraging to know that the ma
jority of the prisoners are convinced that
they have lost the fight. though there ex-
ist a considerable number In their ranks
who persist In believing that the day of
the deliverance "as nation may still
be efrected-providing their comrades in
the field can hold out little longer"
As a rule the Gloucesters and their
charges were on good terms. and the
stoning of sentrtes which led some time
ago to the death OF soldier has been
Standardization Telegraph.