Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-11
By Wilbur S. Forrest.

oy HAADuA W. OlICSb.
London, Jan. 2.-(By ail.)-Alex-
andra Palace, England S largest single
internment camp for civilian prisoners
of war, corresponding to Germany IS
Ruhleben, near Berlin, is the fascinat-
ingly interesting British Military City,
| was permitted to visit today. No
other press representatives were there;
and this is the first time a press man
has been permitted to enter this camp.
More than 1900 enemy aliens, rich
and poor from all parts of the world,
are living at Alexandra Palace, north
London. Hundreds of Croats and Poles
from pittsburgh and Detroit, captured
on their way home to fight; well
known European musical artists, in
termed while performing in England;
Germans and Austrians taken from
ships in the Atlantic and the North
Sea and Austro-German directors of
big British firms, together with alien
inhabitants of England, some of thirty
years residence, make unique and re-
markable colony-for the duration of
the war.
There is no social distinction in the
three battalions of a thousand men
each. Military discipline prevails. 1t
effects the English-German aristocrat
and the lowliest Pittsburgh steel work
er alike. A company of British soldiers
guards the palace which in peace time
served as London Coney Island, or
White City.
There are benevolent societies, di-
rectors meetings, institutes of paint
ing, drawing, sculpture; theatre that
would do credit to Broadway, work
shops for dozens of trades, q fully
equipped hospital schools, postoffices,
football and Swedish drill; laundries,
mammoth spotless Kitchens, stores and
shops, cUmmodious bath rooms and
dozens of other things inside the bar
bed wire enclosing this multitude.
"They are making the best of it and
il is my duty to let them enjoy life to
the limit of military possibilities" re-
marked Colonel Frood Walker, Brit
ish regular army veteran of twenty
years in the Orient, who is the com.
mandont
The commandant S words voice the
British attitude toward prisoners of
war, both military and civilian. 1t
considers the human side Of those fore
ed to live behind wire entanglecents.
| Once week the commandant turns
over ais office to prisoners who have
complaints. He hears the stories and
does what he can. The man with n
gronch tells his troubles to the captain
Of his mess. If il is meritorious, the
complaint is passed to the alien com.
mander who governs hundred men. He
takes it up with the battalion com
mander, another alien VINO governs a
thousand men. Then the complainant
may appear in person before the vet
eran commandant, who never strafes
the enemy.
Twice weekly the commandant per-
sonally inspects every one of the 5000
beds housed under the great roofs of
tho palace. These beds are neat and
clean, with four blankets and a soft
mattresses for each.
There are eight cooks for every
| thousand prisoners. The food is pre-.
Iyared and taken to the three great
mess rooms, eaca of which can com.
pare in floor space to the main lobby
of New York IS Grand Central station.
Here is the food allowance, per man
per day; ~ pounds of white bread,
y pound Of meat; Y pound of pota.
toes, two ounces of peas, lentls, beans
or rice; two ounces of cheese, timed
milk, salt and pepper. There is after
noon tea with bread and butter.
Eaach battalion has large canteeu
where a prisoner may angcent his food
SUPPLY. The wealthier internees free.
~ patronize the canteens, but the or
dinary fare is better than the average
Pittsburgh steel worker ever had in his
life. These Pittsburghers aren U anx.
lous for the war to close. They re sat.
isfied.
The American embassy, Godfather
Of all enemy aliens in the British Isles.
works hand in hand with special
| cbmmittee Of the Weather interned
men to care for the speual wants of
the poor The women and children on
the outside are the principal benefici-
aries of this joint benevolent society.
More than 5000 cases have been at
tended to since September.
Alcost every prisoner looks forward
eagerly to the weekly theatre. Here
artists, some high in the profession
perform vaudeville stunts. Profession.
al actors present the latest plays. Tne
theatre will seat 1900 persons. The
scenery was yanted by artists who
rank high in British and German art
circles and is infinitely better than that
found in the average London play.
house.
A smaller hall, for 500 persons is set
aside for the evening musicals. This
hall is always crowded. At tonight. &
concert Herr +. Lorant, an Austrian
violinist VINO will be heard in America
after the war, was the star attraction
His program, much appauded,. was:
Teufel's Trille, by Tartini; Noctourne,
Chopin.Sarasat; Zephyr Hubay; Bal.
lad Polonaisc, Yisuxtemps. An ey.
ergrecn wreath was presented TO Lor.
ant by his admirers, the commandnnt
doing the honor. Herr Limo Vesco,
Hungarian grand opera singer, reaped
plaudits with Romanza aus Don Sebas.
tiano by Donizetti. A piano solo, ''Bal
lade As Dur" by A. Reschofslty. who
studied under Paderewski, also was vo
ciferouslv received.
Wonderful rose glrdens surrounding
the palace are kept by the aliens In
these gardens tae married men receive
visits from their wives or friends once
a month, for fifteen minutes.