Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-23
OFFICERS GIVEN
GOOD TREATMENT
At PRISON CAMP
Correspondents Allowed to In
Spect Quarters at HoIyporti
Former Hull House Worker
Among CaptiveS,
ASSOCIATED Pres. Correspondence,

ton hall, HolNport Is the most impor-
tant German officers prison in Eng
land and for the first time the author
tiles have permitted unofficial neu-
trails to visit the camp.
Most of the prisoners have their
quarters in the large building of the
Holyport army preparatory school,
but with an increase in their num-
hers it has been necessary to supple
ment this with temporary wooden
structures built in the school yard.
The chief school building was erected
by Charles II as a residence for his
favorite Nell Gwynne. 1t has been
restored for school purposes. and,
while architccturally ugly in appear
ance, forms comfortable roomy
building for its present use.
The temporary huts are built close
about the main building and the
whole group. which does not occupy
more than three acres, is surrounded
ny o fence in the form of barbwire
entanglements. The commandment of
the prison with his assistants are
chartered in large brick residence
at the gateway of the school gounds
which probably served as a lodge
when the place was used us country
home. The company of soldiers
guarding the prisoners occupy the
stables, and laundries of the school.
These quarters are in the rear of the
barbwire enclosure, which is entirely
devoted to the quarters OF the i'm
prisoned officers. and their orderlles.
When the party of neutral cores
pondents arrived to inspect the camp
the prisoners were preparing to leave
the mouse FOR the eighteen acre ath-
letic field. Twice weekly the pris-
oners are compelled to seek this field
where they take whatever form of
exercise they desire. Every day the
prisoners have the privilege of using
the field for two and one half hours,
hut the half hour period twice weekly
is compulsory. In the summer the
tennis courts were in almost constant
use, but this form of sport at which
the Germans were particularly keen,
has now ceased on account of the
weather. Football and hockey are
now played with the officers prison
orderlies taking a lively interest in
the first named game at which they
have become quite adept.
Patrol Guards Field
few minutes before the arrival
OF the recreation hour an armed pa
troll is stationed about the wire fence
which encloses the field. The Officers
then stroll from the house in groups
through the main gate Of the prison
and down a lane between row of
sentries to the field Later their or
derlies appear under escort of an
armed guard. The groups that reach
the field remain intact. and accord
'ns to the British officers in charge,
ms same grouping takes place within
the prison. Differences of rank and
social position are sharply accent
uated and only broken down in the
event of general celebration of some
sort. Among the prisoners are
number of navy officers and cleavage
hetween the army and navy is par
tleularly apparent in the relations Of
the officers.
The visit to the camp was made on
wntry afternoon when the vivid and
picturesque uniforms Of the officers
gave a touch Of color to the dismal
surroundings, The presence among
the Officers of So many brilliant gar
flson uniforms is accounted for by
the fact that whenever a German re.
serve officer was seized from Il shin
en- route to Germany. he was per-
lhllted to send nome for his uniform.
Ihe officers actually captured in ac-
lon wear the usual German field grey
uniform while the naval officers, most
% whom were captured at the bat
lie off the Falkland Islands, wear
hlue uniforms which differ little in
appearance from those Of their cap
tors
While the officers We're in the
recreation ground the visitors were
conducted through their quarters.
me bathing department is well equip
ped with bath tubs from the school.
which while hardly mans size are
pientifully supplied with hot water.
During the summer the officers had
me use of the school swimming tank.
put as there is no means Of heating
me water, the winter has compelled
them to give NJ this pleasure.
IouDging Rooms Not Popular.
The ground floor Of the house con-
tains several large rooms used as
smoking and lounging rooms by the
officers. but these are seldom occu-
pied, as the prisoners seem to prefer
The small sitting rooms. which they
nave partitioned off from their bed
rooms by the use of screens. The
second and third floors are given up