The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-12-24

dHN, dICer ms inspection, close them up again. This plan was agreed to, and 1t worked splendidly. Also one hundred parcels, the addresses of which had been lost under the old system, were on our suggestion ex- posed in the camp and speedily re- claimed by their owners
 According to official instructions our huts had to be scrubbed twice monthly; we decided to do this. every week, each of us in turn. Whether 1t was wealthy banker from the city or penniless waiter from Soho, each one did his work without grumbling. Only one elderly merchant offered five 5hillings to anyone willing to do his share. Not because I do not want to scrub,' he explained, but because for three days after doing so cannot move without pain in my back A young fellow consented to do the job for him for sixpence. Some of the prisoners received neither money nor parcels and therefore had to subsist entirely on the official rations, which, of course, did not include luxuries.
 When Quarrels Break Out.
 Everything that tends to keep the men busy is welcomed, because a cer- tain amount of nervousness and irrita- bility is inevitable when thousands of men are suddenly taken from their work and forced to live together at close quarters. Quarrels break out easily and may quickly assume dan gerous proportions.
 "One afternoon a German baker commented bitterly on the anti-Ger- man riots in London, which had ru- ined him. Served you right said a young fellow thoughtlessly. The next moment he was nearly lynched by the bakers friends. I managed to get him surrounded by more peaceable persons and proposed to call our own police. No, no,' the crowd shouted. Father Ludwig, you go and settle the quarrel It was not a difficult task, as the young man made a complete apology.
 One fine evening we were standing outside our hut, contemplating the starry sky, while our doctor friend gave us some astronomical explana- tions. Suddenly a shot resounded In a moment there was wild confusion in the camp and the combined efforts of all the more responsible men were required to subdue it. We learned afterward that the sentry had shot at man who tried to escape. The ele- ments of a tragedy or of panic are always present, and the only antidote is work
 Of Course There Is Music.
 Besides we had music! It is said that when half a dozen Germans get is sure to be formed, so you can imag- inc that music is fiourishing in the camp. Seeing the number of first-rate musicians interned, 1 wondered how London orchestras could exist at all. Excellent choirs and bands have been formed, and these give performances, hut never without serious prepara- tion. They know their audience would not tolerate amateurish efforts When the instruments cannot be obtained from outside they are made in the camp, and some are weird enough to arouse the envy of a futurist con- poser! The bandsmen are dressed in full German military uniform, made in the camp; even the fabrication of a 'pickelhaube' offers no difficulty when pots and pans are at hand. Silver pa- per from chocolate and tobacco pack ing is never wasted, and plays an im- portant part not only in the making of uniforms but in the staging of plays. These also are well rehearsed before being offered to the public.
 Every performance is announced by a band marching through the grounds and playing loudly to attract attention. One of the greatest suc- cesses in the show line was the cir GUS; one day there was an elephant made of gray blankets and four or five men, which would have deceived | anyone. It's antics were so truly ele- phantine that prisoners, English guards and officers alike, all were in fits of laughter, especially when the penny a ride part began and the trunk disclosed broomstick as found | dation.
 | The Poem That Was Rebuked. Then we had recitation evenings. A poet among us recited his own work. A significant incident occurred dur | ing that evening. The first numbers were of a comic character, but the ! chief item of the program was a patri- ! otic poem-a jubilant recital of how thousands of Russian soldiers had been lured into the Masurian bogs and | drowned like rats. It was received with stormy applause. I felt indig- | nant, and, seeing that some of my table companions also looked uneasy, got Up and asked permission to say 6 few words. It was granted. I first | congratulated the poet on his skill, but protested against the spirit of the last poem, which invited us to gloat over l the death agony Of soldiers probably as brave as any others. I reminded the public that hundreds of German ! soldiers were drowned in flooded