Bisbee daily review., 1918-03-03

GeOrgians. the latter from Carthweli in the Concession mountains. The general in charge of the prison camn could not speak anything but German. while the majority of the prisoners were very ignorant Thero were 5000 Austrian soldiers in charge of the camp but this number was later reduced to 500. Nearly all were men absolutely unfit for military serv- ice, either back from the front on ac- count of wounds and oOnvalescing N else men too old or physically unfit for trench wsr,are.
 Live In Barracks.
 The prisoners and Austrian soldiers alike lived m barracks which were about 120 by 30 feet. but the officers had much better quarters. Luckily Mir. Donaldson secured Q room with the Austrian officers. Th,. only diff ference between the barracks of the prisoners and the Austrian soldiers was that the lstter's quarters were built more substantially and did not have SO many cracks in the walls and holes through which the wind and snow would drive in during the winter months.
 The Austrian officers did not treat the soldiers much bette~ than the prisoners although they were better fed and had better clothing. The war prisoners in the camps comprised only those who refused to work. those he'd as suspicious and those physically un- able to work in the mines factories and fields under armed guards. TLose who worked in the fields regarded their lot as lucky as they could steal enough to eat when not properly fed. although the farmers as a whole treated the men fairly well snd many of them became popular with women in the country and announced their intention of returning tha-s to mary when the war ended.
 It took two months for the ccn:- mandant to approve plans for Inc school buildings demanded by NlT. Donaldson and 1t was not until Oc- tober before these were entirely ccIn- pleted. However. he started his clas- ses long before and secured the use of building for a gymnasium. When finished he had a Protestant chapel. library. barbershop. theSter. book bindcry and gymnasium The latter building was converted into a tea room after he left. Tea is made of weeds and while not very palatablc makes warm water a little less un- attractive.
 Studies Russian Language.
 While aboard ship Mir. DonaldsOn had studied Russian and with the aid of Russian who spoke go,d German soon picked up enough Of the ;an- guase to be able to converse with the men under his charge.
 He was forced to render a weekly report to the eOmmandant of the num- Der of pupils who attended all clas- ses and the names of the teachers A Tartar named Hs~san was of great help among his countrymea in organ izing classes and the first day secure , 10 teachers and g pupils for each one He had formerly been in charge of a normal school in Crimea.
 Glasses comprised everything f-0m reading and writing in Russian and the other languages spoken to sd- vanced philosophy. poetry and Fermyn literature English classes were not permitted but finally authority was l4u-AAcl DODhc IT. side the stockade, Many of the Rus. sfsns were anxious to study English and some had been in th.s country. having worked in mines. as lumber jacks. laborers. in improvement work and in the hop fields.
 The Slavs proved very adept at acting and Mir. Donaldson says that some of the plays which they pre- scented were wonderful. One man hal been a professional scenic painter ani the effects which he Obtsined were little short of marvellous. The camp was located in the mountains and his mountain scenery was true to life while he painted harem scenes and one representing hell with red pains that glowed like fire.
 Quaint. Old Village.
 Heinrichsgruen was founded in about 1209 and is a very quaint littlc village of 1000 population. Here there were 5000 prisoners although this WIS the central camp for Se.000 and the others were kept busy working when not ilL and sent 10 the camp for medical attention,
 The commandant of this camp was very jealous of his status and threatened to resign unless he was siven at least 6oOo in his charge at all times. He was very efficient .ON