Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-02

gospel, who claims to have played ten
mis- with the daughter of a United
States Cabinet member. shows the men
how to handle the English language
properly.
The pupils are studious and earnest.
But every now and then both teachers
and students are absent-rhinded. Their
eyes roam far away over the noun
tains. Their thoughts are miles away
from the textbooks and they dream OF
the world they have left behind.
One word here for the magnificent
work Of the Y. NJ. c. A. Much has
been said although never enough)
about the labors Of this institution
among the soldiers of the Allied
nations.
But Fort Douglas is an enemy
camp. And vet the spirit. of friendli-
ness which the Y. NJ. c. A. represents
who are supposed to have violated the
code Of the United States. A pleas
ant building has been erected in the
center Of the camp. Every Sunday
services are held. They speak in Ger
man. The organ plays German hymns,
the congregation sings in the language
of their fathers and mothers.
On weekdays the section in which
the altar is located is divided off by
a curtain. Twice a week the y. NJ.
c. A. holds moving.picture shows IN
the buildings, furnishing operator and
films. Every two or three weeks the
prisoners give concerts and theatrical
performances. And they are good.
The leader Of the orchestra was a
first violinist of a well.known sym.
phony orchestra. The violinist Of tho
aggregation was, a member of tho
band aboard q German battleship.
Among the theatrical performers are
professional actors and amateurs OF
provides the costumes and the scenery
for the shows and sees 10 It. that the
men have what they need. The or.
ganization has also furnished a piano
for the use of the prisoners. a library
with more than $500 American. Eng.
lish and German books, magazines.
and newspapers. Stationery, pencils,
ink and other writing material are
also given to the interns by the 7.
NJ. c. A., and in the erection OF q
appointed tennis court much aid
has been supplied. Particularly in the
equipment of the library and the ten.
mis- court much help was given by the
executive officer Of the camp.
To sum up my impressions Of the
war prison camp:
The life is chiefly what sthe pris-
oners make it themselves. Every man
has an opportunity to improve him.
self or to waste his time, just as he
wishes; he may Americanize himself
or become an even more emphatic
Teuton.
The living conditions are satisfac-
tory: the food Is good. The treatment
is entirely humane, and - a soldier
oversteps his authority the case is
quickly investigated. the culprit pun
ished. The officers are human beings
and regard the interns as fellow
humans rather than as enemies. .e
Most of the trouble that is found
is caused bv the prisoners themselves.
most complaints being due to German
influences rather than American neg.
lect or willfulness.
Perhaps this article will not please
the readers Of German birth or de-
scent.
But please remember that it is far
easier to do in Rome as the Romans
10 than to be an American in a Ger
man internment camp.
And above all. I hope that the
American prisoners in Big Germany
will be treated as well as the German
prisoners In that Little Germany
which lies in the giant kettle formed
by the Wasatch range Of mountains. :.