Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-12-05
THE TREATMENT Of
.|NTERNED GERMANS
Paid for Work Actually Per-
formed; No Excess
Food

The following statement relative to
the treatment being accorded interned
Germans at the station maintained at
Hot Springs, n. c., is authorized by
the department of labor:
The inmates OF this station. under
the jurisdiction OF the department of
labor. are not prisoners of war. They
comprise officers and crew men of the
German merchant vessels which were
informed in the ports OF the United
States At the time OF the declaration
OF war. AS aliens they were amenable
TO the immigration laws. and las alien
enemies" under the terms of the pres
! idents proclamation, they were also
subject to the provisions of the Re.
| yised Statutes on which such pro.
! clamatiOn is based. Their deportation.
which would follow in the ordinary
/ course OF events, was impraCticable in
view of the international situation.
1t early became apparent that pro
vision must be made for some central
concentration camp which would be
adequate TO house these aliens who
were temporarily detained at various
| immigration stations throughout the
country. After careful survey of
available sites the department select.
ed the resort at Hot Springs, n. c.,
which offered an admirable location
from the standpoint of isolation as
well as that the climate, accessibility
10 the railroads, and a hotel of ade-
/ quatc proportions for all immediate
needs. More recently additional
buildings alive been constructed, so
that now quarters similar to those
which would be provided in immigra-
ton stations for first class passengers
arriving Al ports OF the United States
are furnished officers, and lodgings
similar to that which would be given
stc"rago or third class passengers i
furnished 10 the crew men.
Contrary to , the general impress.
sion. these aliens receive no compcnsa.
ton from the government except such
as Is allowed them for work actually
performed. Those who engage in con
struction work of one sort or another
are paid at the rate OF $50 a month
with an additional allowance of IS pei
\ month to those acting in the capacity
OF lOrcmcn. The informed officers
have been permitted to receive from
I any source not TO exceed $40, and the
; crew men not more than SO month
) Receipts in excess OF these amount!
are placed to the credit of the alien!
1 in postal savings bank or Othcrwis,
, disposed Of as desired. Permission
is of course granted for Legitimate
purchases of clothing and other neces
sarics.
Sanitary conditions are maintained
!. under the direction of an experienced
officer from the Public Health Scryic,
who has been detailed for this pur
/ pose. Under the direction of the Y
; NJ. c. a. suitable facilities have beer
!. provided for recreation OF a healthfu
! and wholesome nation. Arrangement!
/ are also made so that married mel
4 may have opportunity to see thei
! families once 4 week under the sup
: Dcrvision Of government officers il
; quarters provided for this purpose
There is no warrant whatever 70
the statement that these aliens ar
allowed an excessive amount of food
| Thrc" meals day OF plain but thor
uughly palatabIc and substantial foo
are provided for each man. A limitct
number of eggs is furnished. For tn
most part cvapOratCd milk, such a
scamcn prepare on shipboard is used
There is no waste and the same meas
urcs Of economy and conservation
which are being urged upon every An
crican housewife are being practice
at Hot Springs.