Evening journal., 1914-09-08
OLYMPIC ARENA
Holds Prisoners
Germans Taken by English
Enact Strange Scenes in
Sport Stadium
ALL COMFORTS
FOR THE MEN
BY ED L. KEEN.

LONDON (By malt 70 New York,
Sept. SIN the great arena Of the
Olympia that monstrous stadium in
Kensington where only few weeks
ago the Freddie Welsh-Willie Richie
and Gunboat Smith-Georges Carpen-
tier prize fights were held, strange
scenes are being enacted daily now.
Some two hundred odd men and
youths-ranging all the way in age
from 20 to 60-every afternoon at a
set hour 90 through odd antics such
as running up and down the arena,
jumping. rolling on the ground and
other like stunts. These youths and
men are Germans-held prisoners by
the government Of England. Their
strange antics are the only exercise
they are allowed to take for a little
while each afternoon A thin line
Of Irish Guards, grim, silent. khaki
clad men stand guard while the Ger
mans go through their daily exercise.
The Olympia was seized by the
gov vernment without a by your leave
OF a notice of any sort Officials de-
cided it was just the place they
needed and they occupied it without
further ado.
The German prisoners who are be-
ing held there are men who have
been taken from German merchant
men, German residents of England
and German "foaters" who It is
feared are spies in the employ of
the Kaiser.
Friends Of the prisoners. by special
| permission. have been able to make
it a little easier for them They have
| provided them with hedsteads and
cots. clean linen and other such con.
veniences. BARRIERS. but only English
BARRIERS, no German. are permitted
to shave the prisoners II their friends
send them. Parcels Of food anI
delicacies can be sent them by
friends. too. but only after beinl
closely examined by English officers
Solicitors or relatives can interview
the prisoners in the presence of Eng
lish officers. They are only allowel
to converse in the English language
however.
The English officers make It al
pleasant for the prisoners as the,
can under the circumstances. Th
daily routine Is much like that of
prison AZ M, all must aris
and those who have special bedding
must "stow Il away" as in barracks
Accompanied by armed guards, tn
prisoners, in patches, are permitte
to perform ablutions. Then break
fast is served the same as in barrack
coffee and bread and bacon, o
sausage or ham and eggs. At midda
hot meat and vegetables or a stew o
a steak pudding, and in the evenin
bread and butter and tea and Jam, a
much as they want form the menus
All expense is born by the govern
, ment. Mineral water or any othe
. notwithstanding drink may be SCI
, the prisoners by friends or II wi
BE- purchased for them II they hay
r the funds. The prisoners cann'
have knives or razors or anythin
with which they might inflct dan
age. Smoking is allowed only at
certain period.
- Plenty of newspapers and mag5
: zines are supplied by the governmer
I and several of the prisoners hay
a decks of cards, which they use
y while the many weary hours.
: Many of the prisoners who hay
e cen residents Of England for yea
} but who have never taken OF
! naturalization papers have been alb
Z 10 secure their freedom. Englis
/ friends have interceded for ther
D They were taken before the arm
= officers in charge at the Olympia an
= closely questioned with regard
n their feelings for their native coul
K try. Those who have been able
Il convince the officers by their test
+ mony and the pledges of their Engli'
S friends. that they bear a love for the
e adopted country. have been allowed
90 free
It is a very motley assortment
: prisoners. Many clerks and trader
unable to prove their innocence. a
forced to lie by the side of wretchl
rufians and outcasts.
The English officers feel sorry 7
u the better class of prisoners but tn
\ are powerless to help them. TIL
y are forced by the terms Of war
hold them as prisoners if they ca
/. not prove they have no relations wi
their native country.
The crews of captured Germ
merchantmen are a sullen lot TIL
do not mingle with anyone else
the prison" Holding aloof by the
selves they converse in low tom
mostly talking about what their "a
y will be.
a. "THE VALLEY OF THE MOON"