New-York tribune., 1902-03-25
BOERS WELL CARED FOR.
FREDERICK TAYLOR SAYS BERMUDA
PRISONERS ARE TREATED BETTER
THAN THOSE AT CEYLON.

Frederick Taylor. of this city, who is Fellow
of the Royal Geographical Society and of the
Folklore Society, reached here yesterday
the NOrd America, after a delayed passage,
which took him to Bermuda where he studied
the condition of the Boer prisoners. For the
last sixteen months he has been travelling
around the world, and had already seen the
Boer prisoners in Ceylon. he did not regret
the chance for a comparative study. The con-
dition of the prisoners in Bermuda, he says has
been misrepresented by irresponsible" per-
sons
Were one-third of the laboring classes in
New-York City $ we'll provided for and as well
looked after these prisoners" he said last
night al the Hotel St Denis they ought TO be
quite happy"
But the conditions in Ceylon he found to be
very bad.
II found eight hundred prisoners near the
town of Mount Levinia" he said, "in frame
building rudely put together and filed with
cots. They not fed Iuxuriantly, they
given clothing to any extent. There is no SHADE
for them though the encampment faces the sea,
and the glass stands at Sc There old men
of sixty-fve and young men of nineteen. Most
Of them have fever, and are homesick OF course.
The lnclosure is of barbed wire. and. though
they allowed out in small squads. none of
them nave escaped. They too closely
watched both by the soldiers and by the natives.
who have the cunning of seuths. Seven or
eight miles inland are more prisoners, some of
them Americans only one from this camp has
escaped Russian. They ask, When will the
he over? VIII we then he allowed 10 return
10 South Africa
only three days ago I visited the five thou
sand Boer prisoners in the Bermudas and found
them. on the contrary we'll fed Among them
I found a cowboy from Texas and a man from
Massachusetts,. one had fought in the Philip
pines. There We're two BOer boys of fourteen.
They are given shoes blankets and shirts. They
live in tents, and the bread is excellent, They
are given fresh meat every day but Monday.
when canned meat is served They are also
given rice and several kinds of vegetables. They
are allowed to work. if they wish. for shilling
a week. on the roads or in light employments.
They all look healthy and appear contented.
Some even say that they have no desire to
turn 10 South Africa. Others would be glad TO
go tomorrow.
In making a fun investigation. I find that
irresponsible persons have spread the reports
of their bad treatment. I am not English
man. and am not making any defence Of Eng
Iish methods. l am merely stating the. true
facts about the Boer prisoners in Bermuda
Mr.. Taylor left here in November. 1890 While
in Japan, ne climbed Full Nama, and met the
crown prince of that country one of the things
he observed I'm Japan a craze for American
business signs.
Japan. he said, was on the verge of national
bankruptcy, owing TO her large expenditures and
the disregard for financial honor.
At Singapore Mr.. Taylor met the King Of
Siam and Sir Charles Brooke the English Rajah
Of Sarawab and, according 10 Mr.. Taylor,
owner Of oue-third OF BOTneO
Mr.. Taylor is said TO have been the first white
man 70 thoroughly explore Madagascar.