Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-08-14

Description Of the Camp At Kun
Ieben-No Stable Government In
Russia to Which the captives Can
Be Turned over-American Red
Cross Cares for Needs Of Men.
Russian prisoners of war in Ger.
many constitute problem. TO repa-
triate other prisoners is comparatively
simple, but there Is no stable govern
ment to which the 100000 Russians
can safely be intrusted, none compe-
tent to undertake caring for them. Inc
revolt at home makes possible a revolt
among the prisoners. and the advance
of string has given rise to rear OF
general exodus toward their border.
both the allies and Germany find the
situation disQuieting. This description
of Russian prison camp In Germany
was written by an American Red
Cro.S worker:
The buildings at Ruhleben now used
for prisoners consist OF old stables
and pavilions, which have been sup
plc,n rnted by barracks similar to those
used by American soldiers In France.
The situation Is excellent, well drained
and With any amount Of open space.
One can trace In the center OF the
race course the faded white lines OF
forr cricket and football grounds
always an indication Of occupancy by
English soldiers.
| on our arrival at the camp we
wpr. ushered into the American armv
hea,.1uarters, where the lieutenant In
cor...iand was holding a conference
with the Russian prisoners committee.
The subject under discussion was the
preparation of plans for nn entertain
men to be given by prisoners them
selves. We were told that they were
just arguing the relative merits OF
banjos and guitars when we came IN.
inspection Of Camp.
The subject was postponed while we
formed In groups for an inspection OF
the camp. We had come at an auspi.
c!ous moment, for the men were just
assembling for the midday meal In
long lines outside the mess kitchen.
We had an excellent opportunity to
inspect their clothing and general ap'
pearrnce. All Of them were warmly
clad. and shod either with leather
shoes or sabots. The condition OF the
clothing seemed to vary with the In.
Gus,ry and ingenuity of the wearer.
Patches and seams made a medley OF
color. while the variety Of headgear,
rncSoa CHG FIR tnrh0n
to an English Tommy's discarded cap,
len: IL strange, even comical. appear
ance to the long mess line.
1he men themselves were apparent
~ in q good physical condition. but
they were for the most part silent and
somewhat morose. Here was none OF
the animation and liveliness Of the
usurI mess lines.
We went into one Of the Kitchens
and saw the men being served with the
lhic,; potato soup, In which was float
ing surprising quantity OF meat. One
of tle cooks Obligingly came forward
with a plateful and a spoon, and we
Went through the ritual of tasting 1t.
II was really very good. This souE
IS cooked In large caidrOns, dexter
ously stirred with long wooden SHOW
lls, and as fast as one caldrOn 10 emp.
tied /: Is scrubbed and cleaned and D
new mess of pottage begun. Some OF
the Lien ate their soup in the kitchens,
but the majority preferred to carry II
10 H:nir barracks. Presently we went
into one Of these and found 1t very
warm, very close and bit smelly
%Eut to IL people accustomed In Russia
10 sleeping on tops Of stoves this con.
ditina seemed not unnatural and even
agreeable.
Disinfecting Process.
Here We're groups of men sitting on
ilipi. hunks. consuming their soup In
!: sto1id and ruminative way, or play.
Ing silent game Of cards which
seemed to me to resemble pinOchle
All of the hunks had blankets and
bedding, obviously in need Of renOva.
fion. and we were glad to hear that
this was being carried out very rap
idly. In one corner we came upon o
lively little Jewish prisoner, once
tailor, now busy making suit OF
clothes out of a blanket. The trou
srrs. which he was just finishing, were
all beautifully and carefully hand
sewn. He was working the border de
sign Of the blanket into sort Of q
decoration for the front of the coat.
We next went to the disinfectine
and bath house, which we found
equipped with steam pressure clothing
disinfectors and hot water shower
baths. The whole camp was being put
through the delousing and disinfectine
process, and in one Of the rooms we
came upon n striking evidence OF
American Red Cross activity. Here
was group of men, newly scrubbed
with good American soap and hot wa.
ter, clad in fresh white flannel under
clnthng, undergoing a general phys
zeal and medical examination. From
here they passed into an adjoining
room, where they donned again their
clohing newly cleaned and disinfect.
cd They grinned with delight when,
touching the new underwear. ] dis
PLAYED the only Russian expression
that ! knew-a sort Of an equivalent
of tres bien. ne c'tst pas?"
The camp hospital Is a solid looking
brick building, somewhat removed
from the uain part Of the camp. Out
Of the 5000 prisoners In the camp we
found here only GO in bed, chiefly with
influenza.
The Russian doctor and the Russian
nurse attached to the hospital were
evidently proud and happy to show us