Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-11-12

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The next cause of trouble arose
in this way: An excellent rule had
been made by the authorities that hot
water could be obtained in the officia'
cookhouse from early morning till late
at night. But the German cooks en-
forced an unwritten law that a penny
must be paid by each person each
time hot water was required. ] paid
my penny. like everybody else. and
obtained the hot water at once. l no
ticed, however. a sailor who did not
get any until all had been served.
When asked for an explanation. he
frankly told me that he had no money
and therefore was boycotted by the
cooks.
THE next day I asked for water.
but did not pay. On the succeeding
days I was ignored systematically BY
the cooks. At my request our section
chief called a general meeting. to
which made my complaint about the
impossibility Of procuring hot water
without payment. and explained that
as about three thousand men three
times daily fetched hot water this
meant about a3 to "a ($15 to $50,
q day for the six cooks. Accordingly.
q unanimous resolution was sent to
the governor. who promptly abolished
the abuse.
Regulating Camp Affairs.
"As rule the military ofiicials were
willing to make any alterations sug-
gested by us. For instance. there waa
much delay in the delivery Of letters
and postal parcels sent to the prison
ers. ! proposed that few reliable
prisoners be placed in the censor's Of
fee. open the parcels in his presence,
and. after his inspection. close them
up again. This plan was agreed to.
and it 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 ownerss
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
It was q wealthy banker from the CITY
or a penniless waiter from Soho. each
one did his work without grumbling
Only one elderly merchant offered FIVE
shillings 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 GER
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 d 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. managed to get
him surrounded by more peaceable
persons and proposed to call our own
police. No. no. the crowd shouted
Father Ludwig. you 60 and settle the
quarrel II was not q difficult task.
as the young man made a complete
apology.
"One fine evening we we're standing
outside our hut. contemplating the
starry sky. while our doctor friend
gave US some astronomical explana
lions. Suddenly shot resounded. In
a moment there was wild confusion in
the camp and the combined efforts
of all the more responsible men we're
required to subdue 1t. We learned
afterward that the sentry had shot at
a 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 10 Music.
Besides we had music! II is said
that when half a dozen Germans gel
together some sort Of musical society
is sure to be formed. 80 you can imag
inc that music Is hourishing in the
camp. Seeing the number Of first-rate
musicians interned. wondered how
London orchestras could exist at all
Excellent choirs and bands have been
don on a short leave from the front
| and In devoting this time. which has