New-York tribune., 1902-06-08
THE BOER PRISONERS.
EXPERIENCES OF THOSE CONFINED AT
BERMUDA = DID NOT LIVE
IN IDLENESS.

The signing of the peace agreement between
the Britons and Beers will have for one effect
the return of the 4500 prisoners who are now
il Bermuda. Although their surroundings have
been the same which each year attract thou
sands of visitors to that resort, they will doubt
less be glad to get back TO their ruined homes
and scattered families The prison camps are
on several small islands in the harbor of Ber-
muda, the encirciing water supplementing the
guard of British soldiers and ships,
Admission to the Boer islands has been denied
to visitors, who, however, could obtain near
view OF them from sailboats. 1t was seen from
these that the life of the prisoners was not
lazy one. At times they were observed to be
preparing their meals; then again they wee
working at putting up houses while football and
tennis engag ged the attention OF the athletic.
Some of the Africanders earned certain sums
by carving toys and various little articles, which
were sold in Hamilton as souvenirs. These me
mentos were mostly rude in fashion. There
were Old fashioned casters, with bottles for
salt pepper vinegar and oil; miniature prairie
schooners,' they would be termed in the
Western United States; cigar holders chairs and
boxes.
Intellectual training was not overlooked. The
two hundred boys who were taken with their
elders have been compelled to go to school, their
masters being fellow prisoners. Some OF the
adults likewise have been improving their minds
4 lawyer has been giving lectures twice week
t. audiences wishing to obtain legal lore: then
there were various students of medicine, Latin,
Greek and the like, who have been pursuing
curriclla in anticipation of college courses TO be
taken when the war
There naturally have been complaints from the
Beers, but in general it appears that the treat
ment OF them has been humane, and in some
respects liberal. Their food has been the same
as that served to the British soldiers who guard
them. The sanitary conditions are excellent
The most striking evidence of this is the state
rDent recently made by British officials that only
thirteen Boer graves had been dug in the Islands
one death MAS due to erysipelas, following a
blow dealt by fellow prisoner. As the Beers
began to arrive last July, the mortality among
tht. / 800 has certainly not been large
Such Of the Beers as have money have been
permitted TO trade at 4 canteen established for
them Here reasonable prices have been insisted
on by the British authorities Naturally most
of the prisoners were not rolling in wealth. but
a certain number had personal means or re-
leived remittaLces from friends and relatives
Each mail from South Africa has brought a
quota of drafts and postal notes. Some of this
money has been spent for lumber, from which
houses were built for those Who preferred them
10 the tents occupied by their fellows The
canteen came in for most of these remittances,
however.
Bermuda has reaped a rich advantage from
the presence of these guests from far-of South
Africa Supplies for them were bought of local
merchants being imported almost altogether
from the United States. Transportation of pro-
visions from Hamilton TO the islands engaged a
number of what were formerly fishing boats
Altogether, many sovereign jingles IN Ber-
mudian pockets which would have remained IN
England but for the Boer prisoners.