Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-06
bELG|ANS ARE HELD
DESPITE PROMISES
Government Says Bavarian
Premier's Assurances Have
Not Been Fulfilled.
MANY HUNDREDS HAVEDIED
and New York Tfmes.)

Especial CableRram to The Sunday Star
and New York Tfmes.)
PARIS. May 5.-The Belgian govern
ances given by the Bavarian premier.
Count Hertling. to the papal nuncio,
Mgr. Aversa, which assurances were
announced few days ago by the Vati-
can organ Observatory Romano. &C
cording to which the German govern
ment was disposed not only to abb
stain from further deportations Of Bel
gian civilians, but also to send back
those unjustly deported. SO far the only
persons sent back were those UNFIT for
work, as is also pointed out by Cardinal
Easter.
Two-thirds of the number deported
are still in captivity. despite the Ger
man assurance.
a person who for some time So
journed at Camp Soltau describes the
conditions Of these deported Belgian
civilians as they existed till the end
of February.
Hard Lot of the Prisoners.
Two thousand FIVE hundred civilians
in this camp. who are distinguished
from other prisoners by a badge with
the Belgian lion. occupied nine Of
eighteen sheds arranged for civilian
workers. This number, Of course. is
only a small fraction of the total num-
Der of deported civilians. which is over
1000. The sheds. which are very
spacious, and accommodate 500, are
fitted with electricity and steam heat.
but the latter rarely worked. owing to
alleged lack of fuel.
AT first those interned were very
underfed. but were later put on
prisoners diet. which was better.
though still insufficient. only 400 gram
mes of bread being allowed daily.
Most Of the informed are thin and pale.
some of them resembling skeletons.
They are unable to buy provisions at
the canteens. as these are not provided
with necessary food articles. eggs
termed were also forbidden to receive
parcels from home. They were not
paid for the work done in camp. and
were kept away from the military
prisoners. They were deprived of
newspapers and books. the intention
evidently being to bring pressure to
bear on the civilians to sign voluntary
contracts for work. but this they
Steadfastly refused to do.
Clothing Situation Deplorable.
The clothing problem was also de-
plorable, as most Of the interned were
not provided with extra clothing and
only had the clothes they came with
They were also deprived Of religious
comforts. A Belgian priest attached tc
the local hospital tried in vain to sex
these civilians. Sickness was very rife
among the latter. especially the young.
or members. who were often under sew.
enteen years old. From last November
to February there were 1919 deaths
mostly due to tuberculosis, pneumonia
and heart disease. By February between
five and six thousand were sent back. gen.
orally on account Of exhaustion. TIL,
discipline was very severe, especially
in the working shifts, who. from over.
strain and lock- of nourishment. return
to camp in a state Of absolute prostra
ton. 1t must be noted that the camy
in question was not visited by neutra
delegates until the end of February
when a Spanish delegate came. He !,
able. asserts my informant, to beal
out these statements