Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-09
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proceeded to undress Immediately, as
we were very tired after our cS-hour
journey in the train.
Shortly afterward the officers who
had walked arrived and filled up the un-
occupied portion Of the room, the over
flow being accounted for by placing the
senior officers In one OF the main build
ings which surrounded the parade
ground.
We were actually within the walls
Of German barracks containing troops
undergoing training. In addition to the
main buildings there were rows Of other
structures similar to the one We were in,
which formed temporary hospital wards
for English and French prisoners await
ing the visit OF the Swiss Commission.
Our building cont aimed fifty beds. At
one end was a room in which our bag
gage was locked and at the other was
small dining room, walled of by
thin partition.
Beyond this was a short pass lgeway
leading to the door. on one side of
which was room occupied by an old
nurse and used as surgery: on the
other side was what had once been
bathroom. but the bath WIS now chiefly
used by the orderlies for washing dishes
and clothes. The place was heated by
several round stoves for which there
seemed to be no lack of coal. and was
well lit by numerous windows on. both
sides. In the corner next the dining
room were five beds occupied by the
German orderlies. At the foot Of each
hung a signboard painted with the name
Of the owner-Karl. Franz. Fritz. etc.
The meals were brought In from a
central kitchen, and for the first day or
two were very good. Unfortunately.
something delayed tho arrival of the
Swiss Commission and, as the German
Government did not fincy maintaining
the luxury In which we were living. the
supply Of food was suddenly reduced.
The food that We had brought with US
gave out and we were reduced to living
entirely on the German rations. supple-
mented by cheese and sardines which
we were able to buy at a canteen (estab-
lished in the barracks by the Swiss Red
Cross). No one would tell US how long
we were to be kept In Const lnce, and
We were refused permission to write ana
ask to have our parcels and letters for
warded.
At o'clock every morning coffee
and rolls, made of fairly white -four,
were placed on the table In the dining
room. and a German orderly would
furiously stamp up and down the ward
shouting: "Schweinerer, Aufstehen Ksf-
fee trinken" Cpigs. get up and drink your
coffee). We had nothing to get up
for. and tried to persuade our more
energetic friends to bring our rolls and
cups Of coffee along to our beds. There
was only one roll apiece. The early
bird got the worm. or. in this case.
an extra roll. and the latecomers had no
breakfast. After the first day or two
this difficulty was overcome by the or
derly walking UP the ward every morn
ing and throwing roll on each bed. He
was generally good shot and managed
to hit everybody in the small Of the
back or on the shins, SO as to be sure
to wake him up. IL was easier to wake
a man than to force him to get UP. and
the orderlies were always angry be-
cause we continually lay In bed.
COMMISSION COMING"
One morning Karl put his head in
the door and shouted: Commission
kommt heute Morgen neun Uhr." The
commission is coming this morning at
8 o'clock) Every man that could lsaped
from his bed and was completely dressed
in few minutes. This trick only work.
ed once.
The next bright idea was TO start
sweeping the room and raising such
nOrriDle uust tn6t III WAS HHpos-
sible to lie in bed with comfort There
were many men with amputated legs
who could not get up and escape this
form of pleasantly. 30. for their sakes.
we usually crawled out OF bed.
When we fret arrived the lights we're
extinguished at o'clock. but q dele
CATION to the commandant Of the camp
succeeded In getting US permission TO
stay up until 10 o'clock. Karl and his
friends did not think that we should be
allowed this privilege. and did their best
to encourage the motto. EARLY to bed.
early to rise"
They started the evening performance
by occupying the only comfortable chairs
In front Of tie stoves In the dining room
where we gathered to smoke and play
cards or chess No amount Of abuse or
complaints to the commandant could
oust them. About $50 or 0 they would
open the windows--this was late In No