The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-02-24
IGTERNEDATPALACE
Civilian Prisoners Of War Wei
Cared for in England. ~
r7
Correspondent Visits 6ritain's Mil
tary City and Discovers Why Cap
tives Find joy In Confinement
Have Theater Privileges.
By WILBUR 5. FORREST.

BY WILBUR S. FORREST.
London. - Alexandra palace. Eng
lands largest single internment CAM
for civilian prisoners OF war, CORE
spending to Germany's Ruhleben, neal
Berlin. is the fascinating interesting
British military city was permitted
10 visit today. No other press repre-
sentatives were there: and this is ths
first time a press man has been per
mitted to enter this camp.
More than 1900 enemy aliens, rici
and poor, from all parts she world
are living at Alexandra paIace, North
London. Hundreds of Croats ant
Poles from Pittsburgh and Detroit
captured on their way home to fight
well-known European musical artists
lnterned while performing in England
Germans and Austrians taken from
ships in the Atlantic and the NORTH
sea, and Austro-German directors o.
big British firms. together with alieI
inhabitants of England. some of 81
years residence. make unique and
remarkable colony-for the duration
Of the war
There is no social distinction in the
three battalions Of a thousand mel
each. Military discipline prevails. Il
Affects the English-German aristocrai
and the lowliest Pittsburgh stee
worker alike. A company OF British
soldiers guards the palace, which il
peace time serves as a London CoAe!
Island. or White City.
There are benevolent societies. di
rectors' meetings. institutes of paint
ing, drawing. sculpture; a theater tha'
that would do credit 10 Broadway
workshops for dozens of trades. a fulll
equipped hospital; schools, post ON
ces, football and swedish drill; laun
dries, mammoth spotless kitchens
stores and shops, commodious bath
rooms and dozens of other things in
side the barbed wire inclosing this
multitude.
They are making the best of Il
and it is my duty to let them enjoy
life to the limit of military possibili
ties" remarked Col. Frood Walker,
British regular army veteran of TWEEN
ty years in the Orient, who is the com
mandanT.
The commandant's words voice the
British attitude toward prisoners OF
war, both military and civilian. II
Crneidarc fha b,rr,,r etS1 - +h1-.
forced to live behind wire entangle
ments- Once a week the commandant
turns over hrs offace to prisoners who
have complaints. He hears the stories
and does what he can.
Twice weekly the commandant per
sonally inspects every one of the 1000
beds housed under the great roofs OF
the palace. These beds are neat and
clean, with four blankets and a soft
mattress for each.
There are eight cooks for every
thousand prisoners. The food is pre-
pared and taken to three great mess
rooms, each of which can compare
In floor space to the main lobby of
New York's Grand Central station. |
Here is the food allowance. per man
per day: One and one-half pounds of |
white bread. one-hah pound of meat. /
one-half pound Of potatoes. two ounces
Of peas, lentils, beans or rice; two
ounces Of sugar, onehalf ounce of tea
Or two ounces Of coffee, one ounce of
margarine or two ounces of cheese,
Timed milk. salt and pepper. There
s afternoon tea with bread and but.
er.
Each battalion has large canteen
where 8 prisoner may augment his
ood supply. The wealthier intenes
reely patronize the canteens, but the
ordinary fare is better than the av-
rage Pittsburgh steel worker ever
lad in his life. These Pittsburghers
rent anxious for the war to close. J
They're satisfied.
The American embassy. godfather Of |
u enemy aliens in the British isles, i
Eorks hand in hand with a specia
ommittee Of the gealthier interneii
len to care dor the special wants Of
be poor.
Aimost every prisoner looks for.
ard eagerly to the weekly theater.
lere artists. some high In the pro
ssslon. Perform vaudeville stunts.
rofessioIlal actors present the latest
lays. 'fhe theater VIII seat 1900
arsonss The scenery was painted By
-tists who rank high In British and
errlan art circles. and is infinitely
atier than that found insthe average
yndon playhouse
A smaller hall. for 500 persons. IS
Il aside for the evening musicals
MS hall is always crowded At a
ght corcert Herr F. Lorant. an
ustTian Fiolinist. who VIII be heard
America after The war. was the star
traction