The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-07-29
RUSS PRISONERS
IN GERMAN CAMP
Problem Both to the Allies and
Their Captors.
100000 ARE Being HELD

49,"
American Red Cross Worker Gives a
Description Of the Camp at Ruiz
leben-No Stable Government In
Russia to Which the captives Can
Be Turned Over-Amerlean 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
ment to which the 100000 Russians
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 p%avilions, 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.
One car trace in the center of the
race course 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 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-
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 ap-
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 ear
Patches and seams made q medley OF
color, while the variety of headgear
varying from a Cossack's fur 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 were for the most part silent and
somewhat morose. Here was non OF
the animation and liveliness of thu
usual mess lines.
We went into one of the kitchen.
and saw the men being served with the
thick potato soup, In which was float
ing a surprising quantity of meat. On'
of the cooks obligingly came forward
with a plateful and a spoon, and W.
went through the ritual of tasting ii
1t was really very good. This soul
is cooked in large c%aldrons, dexter
ously stirred with long wooden SHOW
els, and as fast as one caldron Is emp
tied 1t is scrubbed and cleaned and
new mess of pottage begun. Some o
the men ate their soup in the kitchens
but the majority preferred to carry
to their barracks. Presently we wen
into one of these and found It yer,
warm, very close and a bit smelly
But to a people accustomed In Russi'
to sleeping on tops Of stoves this con
dirion seemed not unnatural and evel
agreeable.
DislnfectIno Process.
Here were groups of men sitting OF
their hunks, consuming their soup Il
a stolid and ruminative way, or play
ing a silent game Of cards whicl
seemed to me to resemble pinochlt
All Of the hunks had blankets an
bedding, obviously In need Of renovs
ton, and we were glad to hear tina
this was being carried out very raj
idly. In one corner we came upon
lively little Jewish prisoner, once
tailor, now busy making a suit O
clothes out Of a blanket. The trou
sers, which he was just finishing, wer
all beautifully and carefully han
sewn. He was working the border d.
sign Of the blanket into a sort of
decoration for the front of the coat.
We next went to the disinfectin
and bath house, which We foun
equipped with steam pressure clothin
dis~infectors and hot water shove
baths. The whole camp was being pu
through the ~delousing and disinfectin
process, and in n Of the rooms W
came upon a striking evidence Q
American Red Cross activity. Her
was a group of men, newly scrubbe
with good American soap and hot We
tnr clad In Trash uyhita Aonna1 ,rrdo,