The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-06-16
PRISONERS OF WAR IN UNITED
STATES-HOW THEY LIVE

war now held in over 100 permanent
camps in the United States, 100000
are Germans and $4,000 are Italians,
the Office of War Information re-
ports. Only 200 Japanese prisoners
of war, taken captive on the high
seas or in isolated outposts have been
brought to this country.
German and Italian prisoners are
here for three reasons: 1, it Is more
economical to bring them to this
country than to ship food overseas
for them; 2, it is dangerous to keep a
large group of the enemy in the rear
of fighting troops; and 3, American
soldiers overseas may be better uti-
lized otherwise than in guarding pris-
oners of war.
Although Japan did not ratify the
Geneva Convention, which governs
most of the civilized nations in their
internment of prisoners of war, this
country treats Japanese with the
same consideration given Germans
and Italians. Japan agreed to follow
the convention $50 far as applicable"
but has not permitted neutral obser-
vers to visit camps where Americans
are held.
Japanese Considered Dead At Home
While japanese prisoners in this
country may be visited by representa-
tives of the International Red Gross,
the YMCA, and the protecting power,
Spain, the Japanese prisoners are dis
interested The Japanese refused to
send "capture-cards" to their fami-
lies and they want no reports made to
their government. They have never
received any mail or gifts from their
homeland. In Japan, they are con-
sidered dead, and funeral services al
ready have been held for them.
Italians and Germans, however,
are eager for mail and parcels from
home and talk freely with represen-
tatives of the International Red
Cross, the YMCA, and their protect
ing power, Switzerland T e n
"gripes" are the usual complaints of
soldier.
Most German soldiers are conf
dent of Nazi victory and they look
upon American newspaper accounts
of Allied victories either as propa-
ganda or temporary set-backs.
Prisoner of war camps are like
few square miles of Germany or Italy
transplanted to America. Occasional
ly German or Italian soldier may
be seen wearing all his insignia or
decorations on his American uniform
on which are stamped the letters,
"P. W.
May Listen To Local Radio
Prisoners may listen to the radio,
tuned only to local stations. They
may subscribe to American newspa-
pers, even foreign language papers,
but none printed in their own coun-
tries German communicates as print
ed in the New York Times are trans
lated and regularly put on bulletin
boards.
There are libraries in all prisoner
of war camps, and the PWs may own
books passed by the camp censor.
Nazi propaganda literature is not
permitted, although many German
language books are included in Ii
brary collections. Scientific textbooks
are favorites, but German classics
are widely read. In one camp with
1000 prisoners, 800 are studying
| English.
Teachers, some from leading Ger
man universities, doctors, opera sing
ers, musicians, scientists and skilled
ltechnicians are among the prisoners.
Teachers organize classes, musicians
develop orchestral or choral groups
and doctors asst in health programs.
Red Cross Is Lifeline
The International Red Cross, the
| lifeline between the PWs and their
own people, operates seven ships that
regularly cross the seas. From Phila-
| delphia, they head toward Marseille,
with parcels and mail for Americans
| in prison camps, for other Allied SOL
diers in Axis hands and for the Amer
lean civilian internees of Europe. On
their return they bring parcels and
mail to the German and Italian PWs
here. These seven ships are the only
ones in the world that may sail from
one belligerent country to another.
The PW spokesman, elected by the
prisoners, keeps close contact with
the International Red Cross repre-
sentative, but the visiting repsenta-
tives for German and Italian prison
ers-all of them Swiss-say mo SER
ious complaints" have ever been
made.
Early in February 5000 Italian
PWs were put to work repairing sal
vaged clothing at the request of the
Procurement Division, U. S. Treasury
which provided sewing machines for
merly used on WPB sewing projects
Laundry equipment came from WPA,
NYA and other government surplus
stocks. Buttons, thread and other
material came from WPA supplies
on hand when WPB was liquidated.