Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-17
A o0NVIOT'S PARADISE
Each One Carries Knife and the
Weapons Are Sold by
the Jailer.

Henri Martin In New York Globe.
I know something of the Spanish prisons
OF Ceuta-enough to assert that in no other
Christian country are human beings con-
demned to incarceration in such cruel dun
geons as those In which hundreds of men
are wearing out their lives in the ancient
Moorish town. Some of these unfortunates
do not know why they are there: some of
them are political offenders: some of them
are Cubans that the Spaniards transported
from the island years ago for punishment.
But there are not many Of the latter class
of prisoners, because men do not live long
In the stone cells of Ceuta.
Knowing all this you can imagine my
surprise when first heard of the Spanish
penal colony on the Island of Zaffarines not
many miles east of Ceuta, off the coast of
Morocco. This place had heard described
as the paradise of criminals and last
week l found man who was able to tell
me all about what Is undoubtedly the most
remarkable penal institution in the world.
The conditions he described tax credulity,
but 1 have his absolute assurance that
every word of his extraordinary narrative
Is literally true At Ceuta all is dark
cruel, heartless; at Zaffarines all is sun
shine ease and license for the criminals
sentenced to the nominal punishment Of
exile to its confines.
Zaffariroa
~.
t.ins ~. 49,. - -. ~.
nan., .att,o,.4 =. - q
o,oIool a. ~. =.
-. .hn,-s.. ~
go A. ~. - al.o 30 ~
a. .na' nool there - hearo che RANT
ringing of the bell in the tower of La
Conquista," and forthwith the town comes
to life.
Inc shops open their doors, the prison
doors are thrown open at the same time,
and forth come the prisoners without let
or hindrance. But for only a few minutes
are the streets on the town thronged; then
the prisoners melt into the wine shops and
other novels Of the place, or perhaps depart
TOT the scene or some light labor that they
nave voluntarily assumed for the few cop
pers IL may bring them. Most of the prison.
ers, however, never move from the benches
OF their favorite wine shops from early
morning until the evening bell of the for
tresS summons them back to their cells
Verify here is the paradise Of criminals
unless one objects that this is a CONTRA
d1ct1on In terms. At all events, the prison
ers of Zaffarines are absolutely at liberty
to devote themselves to sloth, drinking
cigarette smoking, card play, visiting,
working for wages, fighting or anything
rh,.-
o"e"P living.
There is no tiresome battle for the nee
essaries of existence. The tsi1ers nrox,da
these and la.va tho nr,.o..S- -.
ie prisoner ifee 10 en-
'o' iii'eiI as ne Wills. Inc one restric-
tion placed upon them is that they shall
not leave the island, but this is not often
desired The law sbift1es. d,ss;nat.a ,,e,
of the place Suits the wortb,ess ..rs
that are sent there by the snanisb govern
nent, and many remain after their terms
And enough work to do 70 La - ' LIZ ea -,
wine and water and cigarettes.
The food served to the prisoners is vile
p .'' uescliption, put Tor Few centimes
"a mod Iunoficiai1S,, h,e "a n1.e' mani IN.
and there thew find NOT only
good food but good company song and
laughter. The jaiIers at Zaffarines are not
only tavern keepers and dispensers of wine
and spirits to their prisoners; they also
provide their wards with RESPONSIBILITIES
or pistols, according to the wealth of the
prisoner.
1 was told, in fact, that the unarmed
prisoner was the exception rather than the
rule. long knife worn In the belt Is as
much a part of the costume of the prison.
ers at Zaffarines as the handkerchief knot
ted about the head. Brawls are a constant
occurrence, and the guards do not interfere
unless there Is prospect of someone be-
ing killed; then they step In and dfsarm
the combatants for the time being. for this
serves two purposes-it stops the fight, and
makes business for the good captain, who
ekes out his small and irregularly paid OFF,
cial stipend by selling weapons to his pris-
oners. The knives are not of the clasp
order; they are long pointed sheath knives
or daggers, known by the name of herra-
mientos. and In the hand of man who
knows how to use them are one of the
most dangerous weapons imaginable.
c.,+a,,. 20 +ha cr.rd
"a s"S
There are two captains In command Of
the guards of the settlement, and each of
.~.I, eo-..,za. ~ 80