The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1916-12-27
BRITISH. 4 BISHOP
/. FINDS GE RMAN
CAMPS EXCELLENT
Only English Admitted to Empire
Since the War Broke Out
Makes Report
(By Associated Press)


London, Dec. 27-The Rt. Rev. Her
bert 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 and given out a re-
markable story which has been given
prominence in the British newspapers
Bishop Bury emphasized the courtesy
of the German military authorities
who we're anxious that he should see
the improvements at the Ruhleben
camp for British prisoners at which
the clergyman spent a whole week
Bishop Bury's visit to Germany also
former the subject o fhis sermon be
fore his crowded congregation. .iI}H
my visit was a great surprise to
the men," said the Bishop, "as l am
the only Englishman that has been
admitted to Germany during the war
l at once explained to them that !
came after an invitation from the Ger
man authorities and with the full
sanction of my own government as
Bishop of Northern Europe.
49,. III. Visits War Office
II remained at the camp except fol
a visit to the War Office at Berlin
where the administration connected
with prisoners gave me an official re-
ception, and for one day when l Wis.
tied the officers camp at Blanken.
berghe. l was shown the whole life
of the camp, and had my meals with
the men in their lofts and hOrse-bOxes
and in spare moments received specia
messages for friends in England.
Il inspected the camp at Ruhleber
from end to end, and addressed the
men nightly. l held four services or
Sunday. witnessed an exhibition
football match, a play at the theatre
attended special concerts and in fact
participated in all phases of camp life
Fine Organization
I'm all my varied experience
have never seen better organized
bit of community life. The prisoners
administered their own affairs entire
ly and the German guard and the Of
fetal censor seemed to be there JUS
to fulfill requirements.
Among the $500 prisoners there II
no crime and the moral standard il
much higher than is usual in com
munity of such dimensions. All kind,
of civilizing, humanizing and spiritua
influences are at work. As for food
the men practically live upon theil
parcels from home. Everything tina
goes to the life of the camp in the wa,
of materials has been sent out from
England or provided at the expense
of the British government.
Camp Censor
Il may add that all letters from thu
men may be relied upon as accurate
as practically everyone with whom
came in contact said they found it 81
difficult to persuade relations at HON,
that they were not keeping some
thing back. The camp censor-a Ger
man officer-is an absolutely fair ant
straight man, in full sympathy will
the prisoners. Although he could hav,
done so had he wished, he never ono,
attended meeting at which I spoke
and I was allowed to bring ava,
every note I made and every pape
given me.
In fact, I was never once interfer
led with in the slightest degree from
full and uninterrupted connection
with the men from start to finish. Oh
the last night of my stay l obtained
permission for the prisoners to sin,
God Save the King and this wa
repeated when I addressed the Who'll,
camp in the open air. l shall neve
forget the scene of indescribable en-
thusiasm." ...
Bishop Bury's conclusion was tina
under these conditions and the non
interference of the German authori
ties. life at Ruhleben was not onl,
tolerable but character building as al
experience.