Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-06

yenrs' cnptivity.D
(From International News Eurcau)
LONDON. June 5.--I.ife In Germany
to-day Is at very low cbb. This
IS no random expression intended TO
raise the spirits OF our pcssirnists.
was taken prisoner as far back
ms February. 1915. and during the past
three years | have seen things gradu-
ally grow from bad TO worse.
When l first arrived in German:
there was abundance for nearly every
one except the unhappy prisoners of
var.
To-day. the only place in the enemy
land when it is possible for any one
hut plutocrat to live within the
limits OF human deccncy is on a farm.
The farmers arc the bcst-ofI class
In Germany. 1t is true that they are
compelled to surrender a large per-
centage OF their produce to the state.
but they manage to hoard 4 good
deal. risking the heavy penalty for
so doing.
Rich townspcople walk miles "a
farms in order to purchase two or
three eggs at I'd. each. or little fresh
butter.
AS far as I have been able to judge.
the average German working man sub
sis's on swcdes and potatoes.
There are substitutes for the most
commonplace necessities Clothes and
even surgical bandaEes are made OF "a
sort of REINFORCED paper
Tobacco is unprocurabc For the
sum of SIS. was able to purchase.
through the prison guard about TWEEN
" ounces of camoufaEe tobacco con-
sisting OF some dry leaves. which.
when smoked. tasted like peppermint
II is still possible, however. to pur-
chase cigars and cigarettes in a limited
quantity. the latter costing from I'D
TO Sl2d. each
VICTORY AND HhRDSHIrS
not RECONCILtBI.E
Generally speaking. the German pub
lie are disappointed in the results o..
the war. II is impossible for them to
reconcile the splendid victories claimed
by the military party with their in
creasing hardships
From opinions expressed in factories
where / have worked. the average Ger
man, outside the military CLIQUE. would
consider peace at any price a Godsend.
lie is not elated by the downfall OF
Nussia. The much-vaun;ed effort on
me west front does not inspire him.
He just hopes for tho war 10 end.
think the great strike at the be-
ginning OF the present year was a
genuine expression OF the enemy
workers discomfort and dissat!sfac-
ton with The Junkcrs
Six months before the strike allied
prisoners engaged in government fac
tories were sounded by German work
crs as TO their attitude in the even, Of
general stoppage OF work Needless
10 say. We assured them that we would
lie among the mrs; TO down tools
only the prompt measures taken by
the authorities prevented the strike
from reaching proportions dangerous
&c the war lords
The German mi!ita-!sts organized p.o-
cessions. carrying banners. on which
appeared portraits OF Father linden
burg and huge notices !nlplo-!na the
workers not 20 desert their brothers on
the west 'front.'.
STRIKE RINGLEADERs
BETRAHED FOR MONEY
But perhaps the most effective
method adopted to arres, the strike
was the orr OF, !arsc money rewards
for ;he flames 9, the r!ngleaders, and
these were Invariably betrayed.
Allied prisoners knew OF the miE-a
ton OF German troops from the cas-,
front long before the grea, offensive
took place last March
The whole country seemed 10 be
swaEming with reserves. and We fire.
9ueHiiy wondered whether the British
authorities we've aware Of the coming
concentration.
DO not know how many German
prisoners have been transferred from
Russia. but Russian prisoners to the
number OF hundreds OF thousands re-
main IN Germany.
Many Of these poor creatures. quite
!l!i,erate. hardly remember the where
aoouts OF their homes. /: they know
the towns whence they came. they have
put the vaEuest idea where they are
situated and, as for getting home. the
obstacles 10 them are insupcrablc
The plight OF captive Russians is.
indeed a miserable one. They are
treated like dogs. Very few letters
and no parcels ever arrive We fire.
quently shared our parcels with them,
and a great friendship sprang UP be-
tween US
After tew months together. we had
{ no difficulty in Understanding each
other In fact. one Of the most inter
estins features o. prison camp life
was the remarkable way in which we
became toierably good NnEuists con-
. Ners!ng by signs and using sentences
: made up q English French and Ger.
man words
Whatever may he the real feelings az
the enemy soldiers in action q, 80
west front. the morale Of German civil.
ians is down 20 Gro. only an iunyy