The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-11-18
VdIaida Snow Tells
About Nazi Horrors

day week caused her 10 lose
weight down To 60 pounds, which
was her weight when she was re.
leased
During her inter ~ Ell I the
American Red Cross was not per-
mittod TO see any of the prison
ers. The only communication with
Miss Shows family during the 10
months was an official notifica-
ton that she was being held a
prisoner somewhere in Europe at
the time of the arrest
The food was very poor dur
ing the first months of the intern
ment. but after the hostilities
were opened between America
and Germany. il was much worse
In relating her experience Miss
Snow says that she was the only
Negro American among the 48l
Americans incarcerated in the
prison in which she spent the ID
weeks. The prisoners were not
made to work and she said there
was no difference in the way she
and other prisoners were treated.
They treated the Jewish people
much worst than they did me-"
she says.
Confiscate Personal Effects
At the time of her arrest, all OF
Miss Shows personal effects were
confiscated by the Germans. They
included: A car valued at $4,000;
a jade necklace from China.
n h
lace. $2,50000; four trunks of
clothes. including approximately
l25 gowns (among which were
several original creations from
Hollywood and European style
centers); mink coat made by
Adrian. $500. Miss Snow had
only worn the coat twice at the
time of her arrest. Also included
in the confiscated properties we're
several diamond rings.
Miss Snow is an accomplished
musician who plays IA instru-
ments well. and can play some on
all other instruments. She speaks
seven languages fluently. In the
course of her theatrical expert
ences. which began when she was
born almost on the stage, Miss
Snow has been before the public
since she was three. She has been
10 Europe seven times; twice to
Asia; once to Africa: and was on
her only tour around the world
when she was caught in Denmark
In COnvalescent Home
When she returned 10 this coun-
try. Miss Snow remained five
months in convalescent home,
but had gained only l8 pounds
when she was released, bringing
her weight up to 86 pounds. She
was married TO Mr.. Edwards, Oct.
|, l943. in Detroit. They had met
when Miss Snow was only IL
years. old and was travelling on
the road with her parents Her
father was musician, as well as
travelling minister and owner Of
an orphanage Her mother was a
musician and school teacher. or
the three children in the family.
Miss Snow is the only one who
seems TO have inherited the mu-
steal talent OF her parents 1T is
a gift she says
Negro Artists Abroad
On the subject of the treatment
OF Negro artists abroad. Miss
Snow says. Il was only refused
service in a restaurant in Athens,
Greece, once. That has been my
only experience OF d scrimination
in all my trips abroad Other than
that one unpleasantry. have al
ways been treated royalty. The
people accept you with great
deal OF warmth and consider il a
great honor to associate with YOU
The audiences are particularly
warm. and seem 90 be more fond
Of American Negroes than OF any
other foreigners.
AS an example % the reccp-
ton artists OF color are accorded
when the late Fats Waller came
TO Denmark there. were over 5000
people al the train station And
when Duke Ellington and his or
chestra came to Holland they
could barely get off the train"
Miss Snow has one brother now
in France, Pfc Artie Bush. with
the US Army She was reunited
with her two brothers and sister
ia Washington in November. 1913.
for the first time i'm five years.