Imperial Valley press., 1915-07-26
In Prison Camp.
By Carl w. Ackcraan

/ Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
PRISON CAMP, GOETTINGEN
GERMANY, June 18 (by maiD.-
Here is one spot in belligerent Europe
where prisoners of war enjoy more
personal freedom than they did at the
front as soldiers. The camp is al
most a free city" The men do al
most as they wish and after several
months under rigorous orders at the
fronc they are enjoying their free
DOM even if they can't go outside
the grounds. Camp rules are the
most simple and necessary to safe
guard the health and comfort of the
inmates.
When | came into the camp today
the "Main Street" was crowded with
English soldiers, many wearing wood
en- shoes; with Frenchmen in tattered
red trousers and blue Coats; Scottish
Highlanders in plaid skirts and
brighter plaid stockings and a few
hundred giant Russians. Not Ger
man officer or soldier except the two
'at the gate could be seen.
For several hours | visited among
the Canadians, the English and
French, entirely out of earshot of
any German authority. | asked the
men if my impression of their free
dom was correct and every one said
it was a fact Every man believed
what an English soldier said, "Of
course, it's unfortunate to be war
prisoner, but we are fortunate to be
in a camp where we are given so
much freedom"
In what other prison camp, | asked
are the men permitted to gather in
groups and talk as they please and
do what they please. Many, who had
been in other camps said Goettngen
was the first of its kind and they at
tributed this fact to the administrative
ability of the camp commander, whom
every prisoner praised.
Ambassador Gerard and the Span
| ish ambassador in Berlin, who were
here some weeks ago to dedicate the
first American Y. NJ. C. A. ever built
In prison camp or prison, declare
the commander is 'prison genius.
Gerard said if this officer could
take charge of all the prisons in
Europe there would be no complaint
against the handling of prisoners of
war. Even among Swedish investi-
gators Goettingen is considered the
finest camp in Europe John B. Jack
son of Trenton, N. j., former Amer
lean minister to Roumania, who has
seen all the camps in England and
Germany holds the same opinion.
Camp conditions are excellent, the
spirit of the men is inspiring, the
camp health is equal to that in the
most healthful spots in the world
Less than 20 were in the hospital to-
day. The men not only appeared
happy, but said they were happier
than they ever expected to be as pris.
oners of war And today there are
about 800 former soldiers of the
Allies imprisoned here, among then
100 Canadians, members of the for.
mer 48th Toronto Highlanders VIII;
were captured at Ypres, April "a.
This camp was founded in a larg,
field outside the old university city Of
Goettingen and at the foot of a higl
hill on top of which is Bismarck
tomb. 1t is made up of several hun
dred frame upholstered shacks, one
story high and similar in every wa,
to cheap cottages one sees at Amer
lcan summer resorts. Between ever,
five cottages is a street, some s,
wide that the eX-solders have potat,
patches in front for flower gardens.
The Y. NJ. C. A. building is a larg,
cottage with a library of French
English and Russian books and maya