Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-11-07
UNCLE SAM HAS
PRISONERS OF WAR
THEY ARE THE GERMAN SAILORS
TAKEN FROM WAR VESSELS
IN AMERICAN PORTS.
KEPT IN INTERNMENT CAMPS
They Are All Well Treated and Well
red, and Are Denied Virtually Moth
ing Except Their Liberty and Intoxi-
eating Liquors.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK.

BY EDWARD 3. CLARK
Westinghouse it not possible that
great many of the American people
will be surprised to learn that the
United States already has in charge
considerable number of German pris-
oners of war?
1t is to be taken for granted that ev-
erybOdy in the country knows there
are great many alien German civili-
ans who are undergoing internment In
various camps in the United States.
But lnterned civilians and informed
prisoners of war are on the very basis
of war conditions two entirely different
propositions. One probably would not
be allowed TO tell just where the pris-
oners of war are under confinement,
nor is il likely that the government
would care to have the news spread
of the exact location of the camps
where the civilians are informed, but
the facts of the internment of both
classes Of Germans have been given TO
the public in some form or other from
day to day though never with any elab-
Grafton Of detail.
The prisoners of war which the Uni
ted States has in its keeping are those
who were taken from German men Of
war which put into our harbors prior
TO the entry of this country into the
great conflict. When war was declared
between this country and Germany 1t
became necessary of course to put
these men into camps where they could
be cared for and well guarded TO pre-
vent their doing mischief In their own
way to the land of their captors. II
must he remembered that these sail
ors, for such they are, are on the same
footing as If they were soldiers taken
on the field of battle.
They Are Well Treated.
1t is possible. without going into de-
tails as to how many Of these prisoners
there are. or as to where they are. to
say word or two about their cond-
ton and their treatment. The United
States is particularly k'adly TO its in
termed charges whether they be sim
ply civilian alien enemies, or men who
have been taken from the ranks of the
armed services. Virtually the only
thing which Is denied these prisoners
is their liberty. although of course.
only certain kinds of reading matter
and no intoxicating liquors are permit
ted them; but beyond this they liv
well and seemingly are contented.
1t is possible that some time in the
fu+ ire this country may have a huge
number of prisoners of war in its keep
ing. OF course no one can tell about
this because in the first place you
must catch your prisoners and in the
second place decision must be made as
10 whether they shall be lnterned
abroad or in this country. But II
Uncle Sam ever does have any great
number under his charge on this side
of the water it can he taken for grant
ed that they will be well fed. Uncle
Sam and John Bull are a good Zeal
alike in this matter of full feeding"
Loyalty Kills Partisanship.
Ever since Washington was estah-
lished as the capital of the United
States there have been currents and
cross currents of political, economic
and legislative opinion. and there al
ways has been fire of criticism from
one party or another directed at this
or that policy of the administration.
The fire at times has been heavy and
never has It died away altogether
Today, however. in this city, and
through the country as well. there is
manifest IA good deal of a change
There are. of course, still criticisms Of
policies and sharp criticisms of the
administration in many places. hut
by comparison with former times the
critical sea is comparatively quiet.
Let it be noticed. however. that the
word comparatively Is used.
what IS it that has produced the
change? 1t is the simple fact that we
are ut war and that the president OF
the United States Is commander In
chief Of the army and navy. II is a
sort of curious thing. perhaps. but In
way the American people, as Wash
ington views it, have voluntarily en-
listed in the army and the navy. which
means simply that they feel. or most
of them feel that they IRE bound To a
loyalty to the man who as civilian
head Of the armed forces must by his
oath try 70 defend the colors. II is
probably this feeling of the American
people. Washington thinks. that keeps
them in large part from their lively
practice in pence time of crlticizirs
those things which they do not ike
and being sometimes little back
ward in praising those things which
they do like. In n sense partisan
spirit subdues itself in war time.
Stand by the Commander.
This condition of things. OF course
is likely to change at am moment. but
II the lessons of other countries md
Of their own country In previous war
times goes 10 prove anything. II will
change materially only when gross
errors of administration force the peo-
pie To demand that changes of meth
Cd shall be made. Even in such
case as this, however. the history
of the past shows that there still re.