The Washington herald., 1915-08-22
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Convalescents in hospital clothing parade
about the roomy courtyard.
The danger of an epidemic has been rem
dered practically impossible Yet every
preparation has been made even for such
contingency. Several isolated barracks
are ready, separated from the other
buildings, large. bright and clean, but un-
occupied.
On one side Of the camp lies a church
barrack which serves the religious needs
Of the inhabitants of the camp. special
clergyman is assigned to the spiritual
care of the French while other clergymen
provide for the various religious needs of
the other prisoners.
In this camp, as in all camps of the
other nations, the commandment meets
in spirit Of humane friendship the de-
mands made by every prisoner no matter
how sluggish his spirit may be, for some
interruption to the monotony of camp
life. In this particular camp an orches-
ira has been organized among the prison
ers and many passerby outside the
stockade has insisted on stopping to hear
the surprisingly good music.
The prisoners amuse themselves with
all sorts of games. On Sundays there are
carefully organized athletic sports On
every side one can see the prisoners en-
gagged in harmless amusements, which
sometimes have a childish character that
is quite overpowering The particular
pride Of this camp is fairly we'll stocked
library.
There is also a fire patrol at the main
entrance ready to respond to any call
that may be made. The city has furnished
the necessary apparatus. Six times
month the prisoners can write home
four times on postal cards and twice on
letters. All incoming and outgoing mail
is carefully inspected. Every day 1000
letters and $500 packages are handled
Circulation of money is so regulated
that coin does not come to the hands Of
prisoners. They receive the money sent
to them in checks, which are accepted as
legal tender at the canteens. This is
necessary to prevent a prisoner who
might escape from having money to aid
him. Clothes. toilet articles. sewing ma
terial. tobacco, pipes and so on at estab-
lished prices may be bought in the cam
teens.
The prisoners exercise vigorously.
Courses Of instruction are given every day
In gymnastics. and in the discipline and
order that forms so large a part of the
German character.
Every once in while an alarm Is
sounded which brings the whole garrison
Of Giessen to the camp under arms and
the prisoners see with amazement thou
sands of strong. wellarmed men who could
nip In a second any effort at rising Of
prisoners. This drill is gone through fire.
quently to keep the prisoners impressed.
The writer gives what he calls snap
shot at the end of his description of the
camp. In the shadow of a barrack lie
fifteen or twenty Englishmen-sleeping.
or trying to sleep. As the commandant
comes In sight there is a rustic and stir
through the straw; they rise, stand at at.
tention like the best Prussian musketeers,
and do not move until the officer is out Of
sight. The necessary discipline.
Behind another barrack sounds merry
laughter. A dozen Frenchmen are play
ing q hopping game that can be seen
among the boys on any street. They
come to attention; the commandant ex-
cuses them, and the light-hearted pastime
goes on Such little proofs of good will
and understanding can be seen at every
glance. Where Is the music?" asks
the general Of large group. At once the
messengers run zealously about. and in q
few minutes a part Of the orchestra is as
sembled under q cherry tree. Clarinet,
flute and harmonica sound in harmony,
the throng of listeners stands about,
crowded close and listens to the music q