The Washington times., 1916-12-27
GERMANY HONORS
ANGLICAN BISHOP
The Right Rev. Herbert Bury
Allowed to Visit Prison Camp
At RuhIeben.

LONDON, Dec. 2I.-The Right Rev.
Herbert Bury, bishop of the Anglican
Church for Northern Europe, the first
and only Englishman that has been
| admitted to Germany during the war.
has just returned to England and
given out a remarkable story which
has received prominence In the British
newspapers.
Bishop Bury emphasized the cour.
tesy of the German military authori.
ties, who were anxious that he should
see the improvements at the Ruhle.
ben camp for British prisoners at
which the clergyman spent whole
week. Bishop Bury's visit to Ger
many also formed the subject OF his
sermon before his crowded congrega-
tion.
my visit was a great surprise to
the men," said the bishop, "as am the
only Englishman that has been admit
ted to Germany during the war. sI at
once explained to them that came
after an Invitation from the German
uthorities and with the full sanction
of my own government rs bishop OF
northern Europe.
saw the Camps Life.
81 remained at the camp except for
a visit to the war office at Berlin,
where the administration connected
with prisoners gave me an official
reception, and for one day when I
visited the officers camp at Rlankcn-
berghe. I was shown tho whole life
OF the camp. and had my meals with
the men In their lofts and horse
boxes. and in spare moments received
special messages for friends in Eng.
land.
81 Inspected the camp at Ruhieben
from end to end, and addressed the
men nightly. ! held four services
on Sunday. ! witnessed an exhibition
football match. a play at the theater,
attended special concerts and. In fact,
participated In all phases OF camp
life.
IN all my varied experience I have
never seen a better organized bit Of
community life. The prisoners ad-
ministered their own affairs entirely.
and the German guard and the official
censor seemed TO be there Just to
fulfil requirements.
Moral standard.
Among the 5000 prisoners there Is
no crime. and the moral standard IL
much higher than In usual In a com.
munity OF such dimensions. All kinds
OF civilizing. humanizing and spiritual
influences are Mt work. As for food
the men practically live upon their
parcels from home. Everything that
goes to the life or the camp in the
way OF materials has been sent out
from England or provided at the ex.
pense OF the British government,
Il may add that all letters from
the men may be relied upon as accu.
rate. as practically every one with
whom I came In contact said they
found u so difficult to persuade rela.
lions At homo that they were not
keeping something back.
IL Fsii Sympathy.
The camp censor--a German officer
lis an absolutely fair and straight
man. In full sympathy with the prison.
ers. Although he could have done so
had he wished. he never once attended
a meeting at which 1 spoke, and was
allowed TO bring away every note I
made and every paper given TO me.
I'm fact. ] was never once Interior
ed with In the slightest degree from
full and uninterrupted connection
with the men from start 20 finish. on
the last night OF my stay ! obtained
permission for the prisoners 20 sing
God Save the King and this was re.
peatod when I addressed the whole
camp In the open air. I shall never for
get the scene OF indescribable enthu.
siaam."
Bishop Bury's conclusion was that
under these conditions and tho non!
Interference OF the German authori-
ties. life at Ruhleben was not only toll
cradle, but character building as an