Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-13
IT,

all of which if has been impossible the Germans to
supply under blockade conditions The Russian how
ever has want for these things lie Is not
accustomed such Injuries at home. and brings no
demand for them into the prison camp
Black bread quantity. in huge quantity the Rus
sian peasant must-have contented. He is heavy
eater of plain foods and to diminish the cubic
supply of his table fare, matter what the actual
caorffc may be- or how scientifically calcu-
lated upkeepng of health and strength is
hardship for him. Thus as the bread rttlons
shrank and shrank ~prng and SUMNER the Russian
prisoners became and more restless They
believed despe the explanations their officers, that
the Ausrians were conspirng to starve them 1t was
in vain that larger vegetable rations were given A
diminished bread supply meant diabolical plotting on
the part of their captors -.-
Nor did these simple Russian prisoners take much,
If any, comfort from the reassuring words of the
diplomatsts and philanthropical workers, who reg-
lary inspected their camps and tasted their soups.
stews other articles of diet The Russians dis
painfully called these people soup tasters, and
vowed they wished that they wouldn't come Some
of the work in reconciling the Russians to the
scanty food supplies of their enemies
by the young Americans sent by the Young
Mems Christian associations international committee
to tighten burdens in the thousands of prison
camps abroad. Of these Americans, Dr.. ]. F.
Hecker, this country for the social work
that he has accomplished in the big cities. won the
lasting gratitude of the Austrian commanders, he
possessed full affections of the prisoners by keep
ing the several camps bright, quiet and
Notwithstanding the necessarily Spartan food
conditions.
One finds young American Y NJ. C. A men in most
prison camps where they organize the prisoners
time and combat the deadening melanchoia and aim
lessness of prison They organize trained men
each camp into teaching corps. and the unframed
into classes They establish shops for prisoners
Industrious turn Of mind and theatrical troupes
glee clubs and bands for entertainment. They
establish camp gymnasiums, and institute sport
In brief, these young men have contributed
considerable degree in ameOrating the hardshps of
the life of the prisoner of war.
The east is flea infested and acrawI with body lice
As these vermin dangerous disease the
Ausrians and Germans have left nothing to
bring about their complete destruction prisoners
through of cleansing they
brought to the concentration camps They are
clothes, and the old clothes thoroughly
treated If later, in the camp prisoner discovers
louise in his clothes, new clothes Immediately
issued to him. and the old pass through the
louse-extermination treatment.
Prison life is hard and bitter. 1t more
especially rksome to the civilian prisoners, who, since
the first days of the war, have dragged weary
existences in civilian At the outbreak the
these civilians gathered up everywhere and
thrown into common jals In the Voigtand, where
many Ensishmen were caught at the wars outbreak.
unsuspciously pursuing their work the great lace
industry there, the fate of of common Jail life
spared them by the energetic representations
A Curtis Roth. American vice consul there
these civilian victims awaited making ready the
prison camps in jais.
While, almost everywhere, the prisoners treated
humanely the monotony, restraint, inconsistencies and
the indefnition their possible this life
produce atmosphere of depression hopelessness
which is hard to bear. The days nights are
always the Visitors seldom the
camps. The food shortage endured by
the prisoners that is being endured civilized
populations of the countries which they are suffer
ing confinement And separated from families friends
and employment they have for guessing when
put end to this bitter treadmiI existence