Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-01
GERMAN SUSPECTS
IN OLYMPIA SHEDS
informed Prisoners Occupy
Horse Show Pavilion
Under Guard.
MAIN COMPLAINT OF MEN
IS LACK OF EXERCISE
Food insufficient and Rough, But
Kindly Served Stories Of
the Prison Camp
social 6.rrespoDdsnee Of The Star

N.AN
other Americans horses have taken
prizes, Is at present sort of concentra-
ton camp for German suspects. The
ticket Office behind the locked barrier is
now a sentry box, and a territorial stands
there all alone through the sultry hours.
No one Is allowed to penetrate inside ex-
cept when, on rare occasions, relatives OF
the Imprisoned Germans are allowed to
visit them under. the escort of the officer
on guard. Then there are scenes of ten
der recognition and sympathy, but for
the most part the unhappy men spend
their time lying in corner OF the huge
building trying to kill boredom with
sleep. =
From Father Hopkins 1t was learned
many OF the Germans inside the camp
are perfectly lnofensive and innocent
sailors from British merchant ships.
who were detained as soon as war broke
out Father hopkins. a well known
friend OF sailors. has interceded Tor these
mesf. and persuaded the police and war
oft1ee authorities to allow them to be re-
leased and sent to his place at Alton. in
Hampshire. He is masking himself re-
sponsf1ie Tor them
The saiFors have given him their parole
that they will not try to escape. and that
10 su1teient. The Seamens and Fire
mons Union will help to maintain them
In the co9ntry. where they will obviously
be much happier than cooped up in the
dresry. greenhouse at Olympia
Other Germans in Olympia are sailors
from German ships which have been
captured by the fleet. and they will re-
main where they are while Scotland
Y9rd makes inquiries The number de-
tanned, has decreased considerably during
thS last few days. many Germans of good
position who were arrested in the first
days Of the war having satisfied the
authorities Of their harmlessness and de-
parted. Apart from the monotony Of
their detention, the Germans are well
treated. and have nothing much to COM
plein about
Il had some talk with an Austrian who
has just been released from prisoner
Of wars quarters at Horsham. There
prisoners housed at Christ's Hospital.
Hpfsham, the blue coat boys being on
holiday. The school Is used as temper
ary quarters. and the numbers are con-
stautly changing as patches are sent to
tbs concentration camp at Chester.
Seized En- Route Home.
Many Of the Germans, however, had
been there since the 18th, and about sew
enty Austrians were added last week.
The AuStrfans, / was told, started out
for Austria on the day after the declar-
alton Of war. believing that they had
twenty-four hours grace in England.
They were. however, seized at Folke-
stone. and conveyed to Shorncliffe and
rs diverse a body as could be imagined.
They included many prosperous business
men. sons walters, hairdressers. shop
Keepers, many students and musicians.
some rather rough Polish miners who
had arrived from America. few decora-
tors and one priest.
They were all her6ed together in the
school. with an hours out-of-door ex-
l,ar-
were prisoners of war because they were
Of the military age and were trying to
leave the country. The only way they
could be released was by an approved
for their behavior. and by their taking an
oath not to attempt to leave the coun-
try or to commit any sct helpful to the
enemy. This gives them release upon
parole. and they are given a permit
sealed by the left thumb mark.
At this stage. when proper organtza-
ton has not yet been made to deal
with such prisoners and when every
provised By soldiers. it would be I'M
fair to criticise the present system of
treatment, and in any case, judging
from stories from abroad, they are not
treated with the severity meted out to
bsiligerents in Germany. The Austrian
told me that his breakfast consisted of
cup of tea, a thick slice of bread and
a small pieces of meat in it, one or two
small pieces of cheese. The dinner
Was plate of soup with a small piece
of meat in it. one or two potatoes and
little vegetable. At night they got
tea, bread and jam.
Food Roughly Served.
Naturally enough, it was ghly
served, but the food itself was too pool
for healthy men. The soldiers he de-
sScrihed as very kind and helpful ir
in oh af
the school he described as most
courteous gentleman. His great COM
plant was that they got virtually no
exercise, and were not allowed any
books, and were insufHciently fed. The
pf5icerb did what they could. --
Eazors were taken from the prison.
ers Except safety razors), but when
il was discovered that some of theil
were given razcrs and scissors to at
TEND to the others. newspaper could
sbe got by grace Of the soldiers. Ir
{. view of the circumstances .sl the Aus.
The -sight of German butchers shop.
near AldGate tightly shattered is the
ifrst sian Of war you come across in
AN east-end journey. There are no
many signs, for the east end is secre
tive of its excitements, and as you &C
down the Commercial road there is
little to tell that you are on the firing.
lcluded many hundreds Of poor Ger.
mans. Here and there over mean shoI
windows you see marks OF the hast,
era8inG of German names, and q
friendly policeman tells you q startling
story about German bakers shoI
that was attacked in the night II WI
nave any serious outbreak of violence
against Germans it is most likely to b,
in these neighborhoods. where The
most extravagant rumors take root
Talk OF Poisoned Broad.
1T is said that in one far CASTER
district the report has been spread
that the German bakers would poison
The bread. and 1t is possible that ever
such grotesque yarn as that nigh
lead TO trouble in feverish time
One or two foreign shopkeepers hav,
posted up notices saying that they ar
natHra1i1ed and have lived here TO
many years. 1t 10 certain that som
Of the German shopkeepers in the cas-
rasan 10 take the first chance Of get
ting back to Germany even at grea
sacfihce. In the west end you SCI
signs Of the same tinidity' IN the shut
ter fronts of the German shipping of
fees. Up TO the present the anti-Ger
man outbreaks in London have bee,
Few and harmless. but one does no
feel too sure of what may happen OF
The night of the news of a reverse.
AT one of the big west emf clubs a
the moment battle is raging on tn
question of excluding Germans from
temporary membership. and anothe
well known club has absolutely for
hidden the admission of Germans A
the hrst club many members urge tina