New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
By ARTHUR S. DRAPER

tiful spot, where the Romans camped
and there still remains an amphithea-
tire in which they performed feats o.
strength and skill, the British war
Office has maintained a prisoners OF
war camp since August, 1914. No more
healthful place could have been Sc
lected, and however irksome long con-
.,ament NAV be TO able-bodied men,
these German prisoners have no COM
nlairt on the score of their surround
ings. In the last three years there mas
been an average OF $500 prisoners
there constantly, and there have been
only ten deaths, though many OF them
have entered the camp less tnan TWO
weeks after being wounded n France.
There has never been an epidemic OF
any kind. A prisoner camp Is not sup
posed primarily 70 be health resor';
but compared with Andersonyille ana
Libby and the more recent Wlttemoerg'
Dorchester is a paradise.
Under the control Of the Dorchester
management are a number OF SINAI.
camps, with an aggregate total OF
6,246 prisoners at the present time.
The great majority Of these soldiers
are employed on manual labor some
Of them are working as fruit plckers,
others as miners, carpenters, olacE-
smiths, tinsmiths, painters, masonS'
machinists, and, in fact, practically
every trade. They are paid the wages
of a British soldier, four cents al
hour.
In the camp are Saxons, Prusslans,
Bavarians, Wutembergers, members
of the LandstLrm and of the Land
wehr. schoolmasters and ignorant TAR
mer boys, chemists and lawyers, long
bearded grendfathers and mere strip
linos with down on their cheeks, thick
necked. bullet-headed fellows and tall,
lanky, gawky chaps, prisoners taken IN
the Battle of the Marine, in 1914, ana
others CAPTURED in the last battle OF
Messines; sailors from disabled de-
strovers and aviators shot down IN the
English Channel-they are a mixed lot
and represent every part OF Germany
and every grade of intelligence. Some
NJ them have been prisoners only
few weeks: others have been mere
since the first days of the war.
II js rather early in the game, put
rot too early. for America to consider
tbe question of a prisoners OF war
camp1 and with that in mind asked TO
see how Great Britain handles. her
military captives. Dorchester ls a
tvnical camp; it is no better and no
worse than any of the others IN vari-
ons narts of the country. 1t is run as
nearly as possible by the prisoners
themselves.
Guards Watch Brick Wall
A high brick wall, topped by oaroeo
wire. surrounds the camp. OUTSIDE
Tho wall on raised platforms armed
Guards are on duty day ana night,,
Within the inclosure there are seve
rows of wooden huts, each containing
some thirty to forty cots, wnlch E seLye
as the prisoners living quarters. lhers
are separate huts for the SICK anu
wounded and hospital for the esPe-
cially bad cases requiring constant AZ
tention. A German doctor mas given
the regular staff valuable assistance III
the hospital The prisoners are ire
ouently examined, and whenever sus-
nicious case is found the patient Is I'M
mediately isolated. Even dentist Is
ON hand TO fill and draw teeth.
The camp contains bakery where
tho bread is made by German bakers; a
large kitchen, where German prisoners
make soup, stew and all the other
tbinos on the official camp menu; there
ia Y NJ. C. A. building, given by
America when we were still neutrals
tbare ia a combination theatre and
gymnasium. built and equipped by the
nr;soners: there is a Roman Catholic
Church. the elaborate altar OF when Is
tho work of the prisoners; there are
extensive vegetable and flower gardens
ord even summer houses in the latter
ali cared for and made by the soldiers;
tbere are hundreds of tame rabbits
running about, many OF whlcn VIII uis.
annear 10 reappear in a steaming pot
~ hasenpfefrer; there is library con-
tanning upward of 1000 books; there Is
a postofice, which handles on an aver
age of 1000 parcels week.
After few minutes at the camp one
il impressed with the military pre-
cision of the soldiers. They spring 70
attention and click their heels with the
SHARPNESS of men on parade. Inc Ger
man y. C. o. barks his orders ana tne
men obey rs if they were drilllng III
the Fatherland. Many of the soldlerS
still wear their original uniforms ana
hats. and these add to their soldlerly
appearance and distinguish them from
the ordinary civilian prisoner.
"Wacht am Rhein" Barred
The German band plays German OPP
eras and folksongs. die Wacht am
Rheino is the only tune barred. In the
theatre the men hold vaudeville per-
formances occasionally, but generally
the programme contains an act or TWO
from some play by modern dramatlst.
The prisoners have painted the seen
ery and made the costumes and stage
properties. There is no lack of talent
from which to form cast. Nothing
gives them more pleasure and enjoy
ment than does the camp theatre.
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton Building is another popular place.
Here the men can read German books
or English newspapers and magazines
if they have mastered the English lam
cuape. and many of them have-play
games and hold religious services. 1t
is in charge of young German pro-
fessor.
Twice a week the prisoners are per-
mitted TO send letter to Germany.
There is no limit to the number OF
words. and. of course. it is censored.
lust as is every other letter leaving and
entering the United Kingdom. But
there is no limit 70 the number of let.
tiers a prisoner may receive. and some
of them get large patches of mail.
Food Allowance
Here is the official food allowance of
the prisoners when they are working:
Bread, 10 OF.
Meat. 6 or. IS days week..
Salt herrings, q days a week..
Tea, z o., or coffee, q OF.
Sugar | ~