The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-13

What Is Being Done I'm Prison Camps
of Europe. Asia nnd Africa, Where
More than 100000 Men arc Con-
fined.

NOW fork, Fen. IA great cry Tor
help comes from the more than FIVE
million men held prisoners of war I'm
barb-wired enclosures In Europe.
Asia, and Africa.
+. More mon are probably cooped up
I'm war prisons now than have fought
Ina any previous war In the history Of
the world
America, through the Young Mems
Christian Association, is playing
sreat part in making life cndurable
Tor these men. whose bitter cry of
anguish and despair goes up con-
tinuously.
This story tells OF some OF the
things being done to help them for
get.
Have pity on us and mako IL pos
sibic for Us to forget the heavy hours
OF our imprisonment.
Sending this appeal to the Young
Mems Christian Association. n group
OF professors. school teachers, public
onicials and lawyers. held prisoners
OF war at Kokand. Central Asia. voice
the cry that goes up continuously
from the more than five million men
held prisoners OF war by the various
warning countries.
From practically every prison camp
In Europe and Asia appeals have been
made to the American Young Mons
Christian Association for aid by these
men I'm their hour OF diro need, ac-
cording to- reports and official COM
munications brought back TO this
country by +. q. Wilson. Associate
Secretary in charge OF the Young
Mems Christian Association Prisoner
OF War Work I'm Northern Europe.
Aid has been given as far as tho va
rious governments will allow. In
fact. many of the nations have in.
trusted the Association with special
funds to help carry on this work.
Among the prisoners OF war In Ger
many. there are about three hundred
children. About two hundred of
these are interned in the prison camp
nj Holmindin. and about fifty in the
camp at Havelberg. Practically oil OF
these have spent the last three Christ
mas days in prison camps Some OF
them have been born there and know
nothing OF life outside OF the barb
wire fence. No explanation OF this
situation accompanied the report.
''Sick and ln Prison"
OF the five million men cooped1
up I'm tho prison camps. about one
hundred and nifty thousand are in
hospitals. Perhaps three hundred and
hfty thousand more are invalids who
are wounded or otherwise incapacl-
tated. These mon. unable because OF
physical disability 10 engage in work.
are perhaps the most pitiful and the
most needy group. To meet condi-
uons the Young Mems Christian As
sociation has established schools and
work shops OF various kinds, has or
sanized orchestras and choruses. has
stimulated athletics and provided Ii
braries. The Crown Princess of swe-
den gave nearly eleven thousand Eng
lish books for the use OF British
prisoners,
Food Is the greatest need OF these
men. A chance for mental relaxation
~ the second great need. Some per.
sons place II first. Confinement has
brought about depression in their
physical. mental and spiritual ma
tures The loss of liberty. the loss oe
privacy. unnatural social conditions.
and the uncertainty OF the future. rs
well as Ignorance of the conditions
or loved ones at home. have caused |,
severe strain on the minds OF many
Mental depression has set I'm. Hope
fulness has been succeeded by dis.
eouragement. Encouragement has
been succeeded by dependency. Now
I'm many cases dependency has been
followed by despair.
The War Ministry Answers Prayer.
Numerous appeals are being made
TO the Y. NJ. G.. A. A poor Russian
peasant saw that letters OF appeal
were being answered. Not knowing
TO whom else TO appeal for aid. he |
wrote letter TO God in which he |
humbly asked God 10 send him
hundred marks. The letter attracted |
attention at the ccnsor's office and |
was referred to she War Ministry |
The offices there collected twenty |
five marks and sent them to the Rus