The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-31
Horrors Of Turkish Prison
 Describod By British Officer

But I must explain. In this ingen-
 iously constructed prison house there
 were two stories, upstairs and
 'downstairs.' Upstairs is for off cers and rich political prisoners. Con-
 dition5 there are bad enough, but
 ''dOwnstairs' is for the commonest
 criminals It is underground, and few
 of those who go into some of it's cells
 ever see the light of day again. As
 the iron gates changed behind me my
 thoughts were none of the brightest.
 Well my fine lieutenant" said the insolent sergeant who accompanied
 me, this is what happens to people who try to run away from Turkey"
 Sc saying, he unbarred a massive door and thrust me in past a sentry.
 l found myself in a large room, with about forty indescribabIy dirty ruff ans squatting about the floor They all stopped talking to gaze at the new | addition to their society. A Euro pean,' several of them muttered
 4 young Greek got up and address ed me in French: "Huuo. who arc you? Why have they put you in here? ?" I'm an English officer" ! replied, land was unfortunately caught trying to return to my own country" "Oh! that's very bad" he | answered, I'm only in here for mur- | der" At this point our conversation was interrupted by the remainder of the room cIamoring for it to be trans lated. Let me introduce you to some of my friends" continued the i Greek. In a few minutes We were all the best of friends. except a certain i section, who seemed to keep to them | selves on the other side of the room. | These learned were the thieves. All the other prisoners fraternized to- l gether, for even these people have a code of honor. To do a clever forgery, i cheat the government, or do away with an objectionable neighbor are 1 matters to be rather proud of, but to pick another mans pocket! They sat
 around mo in a circle and discussed the political situation. Why didn't ] England hurry up and end. the war? :? | The most of them liked everything
 about England. except our air raids. But all this time I was boiling over l with rage at the indignity of being put in such place. How can I see the conlmandant '' asked the Greek. Oh. that was quite impossible. Every one laughed at the idea. We'll replied, T refuse to remain here for the night" I instantly saw I had made a mistake; they all seemed deeply hurt. we will make you quite comforta ble,' they said. 'I can lend you q blanket" said one: And I a pillow said another: And I've got
 a spare pIate,'' said a villanous Ar menian.
 Thank you all very much, indeed,'' ,'' I replied. "I should be delighted to share your hospitality, but unfortu nately this is a matter of principle" So for the remainder of the afternoon annoyed the sentries, sent for the sergeant on duty, demanded to see a l doctor and made myself thoroughly objectfonable-muc to the delight of
 my fellow prisoners
 At last I was told that the com | nandant wished to see me in his of
 flee. I found that my companion had 1 also been brought up from the depths. We were both strongly guard | ed and never allowed within ten yards of each other. I subsequently | learned that his experiences had been l. similar to my own. On being asked | for an explanation of this treatment l the commandant refused to reply so
 I began calling him all the rude things I could think of in Turkish.
 until my vooabularly failing. I was | forced to continue in English. He
 waited patiently for me to finish and | then said, perfectly calmly: Have 1 you any money in your possession 9
 ''No.'' I replied. remembering that I | had two 25 pound notes sewn into my 1 trousers. Then turning to a corporal l the commandant continued: 'swill you show this officer to his room ?' Again I was piloted down the stone