The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-07-26
RUSS PRISONERS
IN GERMAN CAMP
Problem Both to the Allies and
Their Captors.
100000 ARE Being HELD


American Red Cross Worker Gives a
Description Of the Camp at Rub
leben-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 a problem. To repa-
triate other prisoners is comparatively
simple, but there Is no stable govern
can safely be intrusted, none compe-
tent to undertake caring for them. The
revolt at home makes possible a revolt
among the prisoners, and the advance
of spring has given rise to fear of a
general exodus toward their border.
Both the allies and Germany find the
situation disquieting. This description
of a Russian prison camp in Germany
was written by an American Red
Cross worker:
The buildings at Ruhleben now used
for prisoners consist of old stables
and pavilions, which have been sup
plemented by barracks similar to those
used by American soldiers in France.
The situation Is excellent, well drained
and with any amount of open space.
race curse the faded white lines of
former cricket and football grounds
always an indication Of occupancy by
English soldiers.
Upon our arrival at the camp we
were ushered into the American army
headquarters, where the lieutenant in
command was holding a conference
with the Russian prisoners committee.
The subject under discussion was the
preparation of plans for an entertain
ment 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 i'm.
Inspection of Camp.
The subject was postponed while we
formed In groups for an inspection of
the camp. We had come at an auspi-
cious 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 APP
pearance. 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
dustry and ingenuity of the wearer.
Patches and seams made a medley of
color. while the variety of headgear,
varying from a Cossack's far turban
to an English Tommy's discarded cap,
lent a strange, even comical, appear
ance to the long mess line.
The men themselves were apparent
ly In a good physical condition, but
they We're for the most part silent and
somewhat morose. Here was none OF
the animation and liveliness of the
usual mess lines.
We went into one of the kitchens
and saw the men being served with the
thick potato soup, In which was float.
ing a surprising quantity of meat. One
of the cooks obllgingly came forward
with a plateful and a spoon, and we
went through the ritual of tasting 1t
1t was really very good. This soup
Is cooked In large caldrons, dexter
ously stirred with long wooden shov'
els, and as fast as n caldron is emp.
tied II is scrubbed and cleaned and O
new mess of pottage begun. Some OF
the men ate their soup in the kitchens,
but the majority preferred to carry il
70 their barracks. Presently we went
into one of these and found 1t very
warm, very close and a bit smelly
But TO a people accustomed in Russia
to sleeping on tops of stoves this con
dition seemed not unnatural and ever
agreeable.
Disinfecting Process.
Here were groups of men sitting or
their hunks, consuming their soup In
a stolid and ruminative way, or play
ing a silent game of cards which
seemed to me to resemble pinochle
All of the hunks had blankets anC
bedding, obviously in need of renova
tion, and we were glad to hear that
this was being carried out very rap
idly. In one corner we came upon &
lively little Jewish prisoner, once {
tailor, now busy making a suit Of
clothes out of q blanket. The trou
sers, which he was just finishing, were
all beautifully and carefully hand
sewn. He was working the border de
sign of the blanket into a sort of q
decoration for the front of the coat.
We next went to the disinfectins
and bath house, which we found
equipped with steam pressure clothing
d~isinfectors and hot water shower
baths. The whole camp was being put
through the delousing and dis~infectine
process, and in one Of the rooms We
came upon a striking evidence OF
American Red Cross activity. Here
was a group Of men, newly scrubbed
with good American soap and hot wa.
ter, clad In fresh white flannel under
clothing. undergoing a general phys
Teal and medical examination. From
here they passed into an adjoining