Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-08
HOW JAPANESE TREAT PRISONERS
Entertain as Well as Teach
 Their Captives of War.
SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED

At Himeji City the Japanese Organ ] fsed Glasses In Which Ignorant l Russian Soldiers Learn to Read
 and Write Their Own Language. l Certain Days In Each Month They | Play Lawn Tennis and Other Games. l Japan, which has taught the world many wonderful things in the art of warfare since the beginning of host1li ties with Russia, has established new standard of magnanimity in the treat | ment of prisoners of war, which il rather advanced when compared with the methods followed in western civ ilization. says the New York World. Many charges of inhuman treatment of prisoners have been made against the Japanese. but authentic informa- ton received in New York demon strates beyond question that the Rus sian captiyes are not only treated in a most humane manner, but that the Jap anese are educating the illiterate Pris- oners and are furnishing them with en- tertainment, recreation and sports which they never enjoyed during the days of their freedom.
 At Himeji city, Japan, where 5000 Russian prisoners are detained, the Japanese have established schools for the education of the ill1terates, and these unfortunates have been taught to read and write their native language. | Special complimentary theatrical per. formances have been given for the ben eft of the prisoners. They are grant ed liberty certain days in each month, are permitted to play lawn tennis and other games, so as to secure necessary recreation and exercise, and the athlet- ic women of the polite and smiling ns- tion of the east have given special per formances for the amusement of the prisoners. If any of the prisoners die he Is buried with much ceremony.
 Colonel Ugai. chief warden of the Russian prison in Himeii city. has made an interesting official report to his government concerning the prison CTS under his charge.
 Among S91 prisoners who were brought to Himeji last year Q9O4. says Colonel Ugai, there were IA wto were so illiterate that they co,,ld v,of o,-oy, cirv,, tbo;v pap,as c,,oI, people are naturally unable to enjoy the pleasure of corresponding even with their families, and are conse- quenuy placed in more distressed condition than they would be other wise
 'To alleviate such circumstances, the Japanese authorities provided build ing in order to educate them in their own tongue, organized three classes, selected four teachers from among the y Russian noncommissioned officers who started to teach last December under the supervision of Japanese officer who understands the Russian language, giving them three hours instruction daily. They were advanced to higher class as they progressed and thus en- couraged in their study. and at the end of March of this year Q900 1t was found that seventy-fve out of the IA were able to sign their names.
 "One thousand three hundred Rus sian prisoners from Port Arthur also came to Himeji city last January and 7O6 out of the number were found to have no school education. and out of the latter number 451 could neither read nor write. thus showing the per centage of the illiterate to be 34.7 of the whole Such being the case, another building had to be provided, and teach ing was commenced in April Besides the native Russians there are PAP Jews and Poles who are receiving at their special request instruction in sep arate class The following Is letter from a brother of prisoner received April 2 in answer to the latter's letter written by himself. apparently to the surprise of his family:
 "we-aii the famiiy-pray for your hap piness. safety and early return home. We were agreeably surprised when we re- ceived your letter informing us that you were being instructed by the Japanese government and have made such progress that you could write this letter with your own pen. In Russia you could not even sign your name We are over5oyed at this news You are lucky. We have to express our sincere thanks to the Jap anese government. which. though our en- emy. Is now giving instruction to our fellow countryr1en. and you should be very grateful to them too"
 There are at present 2,ls4 Russian prisoners in HImeil city. and they are allowed to go out for pleasure three times a month. Consequently now and then entertainments are given In the prisoners building by means of music, moving pictures and photographs. They are also allowed to see games by the Japanese school children. and some times the musicians among themselves are allowed 10 organize c military band. They also play football, lawn tennis and baseball
 On April 22 noted Japanese actor. Danzo Ichikawa. happened to be ia Himeji city with bis company. Colo mel Ugai. the chief warden, asked him to play for the prisoners pleasure. and the actor gladly scquiesced. As the theater was not sufficiently large to accommodate all the prisoners. only 1000 men of gsod behavior were se- Iectei 10 attend. The performance was