The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-24
BRITISH |NTERNED
 IN HOLLAND LUCKY Are Well Treated by Dutch Government
 ESCAPES FREQUENT
FREQUENT
Have Given No Paroles and Are at Liberty to Make Attempt at Any Time-Dutch Shoot at Them,
 But Aim Is Mysteriously Poor

The Hague, Netherlands, August o5. Correspondence of the Associated Press ) The ancient fortress of Wierickerchans where are interned the British officers of the Antwerp relief expedition which was forced by the Germans to retreat Into Holland year ago, occasionally loses some of it's khaki-clad guests, not wthstanding that the Dutch profess to guard the place thoroughly. The British officers, like many of those interned in other camps in Holland. refuse to pledge themselves against trying to escape to England to rejoin the fighting forces and once outside the fortress these pris- oners find the Dutch people disposed to make things easy for them. The guards at the camp are under orders to shoot any escaping prisoner, and 1t is true that they do shoot at them, but there is often something mysteriously poor about their aim. In fact if it were not for the con- stant arrival of ship-wrecked aviators, the quota of prisoners at wiericker- schans would not be long sustained.
 Is Interesting Place
 The fortress is an interesting place. Al
  nobody seems to have been aware of it's existence until the war brought it to mo- tice, It is surrounded by cluster of green trees and a broad moat, which makes it virtually an island Even the farmers who live nearby know so little of its origin that, with the historical generosity of the indifferent. they vague ly refer to the castle as dating back to the time of the Romans. As a matter liam of England, the stadholder of lIol- land, and cannot be older than the year 1872 It was in that year that King Louis XIV of France invaded Holland and marched right up to Amsterdam. The country was at once flooded and several Qualifications were built in this sea to guard the few high roads which could not be submerged
 The deep and broad moat which sur the fortress Is now used for fish ing and swimming purposes by the 45 British officers interned there. In the distance there is pretty Dutch land scape. with red roofed houses, clusters of trees. a few busy windmills, and high sky, all of them suggestive of the liberty that is near at hand, but which Is barred by double row of wire fences, both above and under water and series of, armed Dutch guards. At night the entire zone of barbed wire and rifles is lighted up by strong arc lights, giving the old fort an appearance something like an American amusement park on summer night. But when approached closely it is seen that mosquitoes and bats are the only ones to enjoy this beautiful glare. The occupants of the c1txx ,ixrl,t and at Il o'clock they are sent to bed. 3. Is Not Prison
 For a year now these men have been in a prison which really Is not prison. If they were prisoners of war they could be treated severely and could be pun ished for the breaking of any rule of the camp. Since they are interned foreign soldiers. and have not given their parole that they shall not try to escape, they are at perfect liberty to walk away thu moment they can. When they are caught they are brought back, but they may renew their efforts the next morning and unless they actually destroy government property there is no way in which to punish them for the trouble which they have caused all around. As a matter of fact. the. Dutch boy, who is standing guard, is not going to burden his con science with the death of an excellent fellow with whom he has played games for many months and against whom he has nothing but friendly. feelings.
 As for the daily routine of the einterned officers. it can be well compared to rather quiet watering place. The men have revived the games of their early school days and a few times day in. dulge In mild game of rounders The British government has built two excel lent tennis courts. The Dutch govern. ment has put up Jumping board and between II and 1 allows the men the lb- erty of the moat A kind Hollander has installed a pianola.