Evening star., 1960-09-15

interpreter on Cne OCner Slue,
I was then read the regula-
tions governing visits to the
prison
Regulations for Visit
Among other things. these
stated that no written mes
sage could be given the pris-
oner, no notes, cameras or
recording devices could be
taken to the interview; there
could be no discussion of the
charges against the prisoner
or his trial; that all letters
and gifts we're subject to ap-
proval by prison authorities,
and that he could be given
necessities only; that the in
terview was limited to 30
minutes and would be ended
instantly if improper matters
were discussed.
Shortly after the regula-
tionS were read to me and I
had agreed to abide by them,
my brother entered the room
with a guard.
We shook hands. Some of
the Maryknoll fathers whom
I had met in Hong Kong who
had been in China with my
brother asked me particularly
to remember them to him.
When 1 started to mention
their names, I was told this
was improper and that Il
should confine the discussion
to family matters.
My brother and 1 then
talked about various members
of the family. A little later
asked him if he wished any
efforts made to obtain his re-
lease from prison. 1 asked
him because some three or
four years ago he had been
authorized by the Chinese
authorities to leave China
but had refused on the
grounds that he wanted toI
remain with the Chinese peo-
pie, among whom he had
worked most of his life.
The interpreter began talk
ing to the prison official about
this question, BUT before it
was ruled out of order, my
brother said:
while no one likes to be
confined, l am not unhappy
here, and I leave the future
entirely in hands of God"
The interpreter told me the
subject could not be pursued.
Seemed in Good Spirits
My brother appeared to be
well. He did not seem de-
jected, but on the contrary
in good spirits. He told me
that my visit was the greatest
human consolation he had
ever received.
He said he was in the
prisons hospital section, not
because of any illness but be-
cause of his age = SO. He
seemed somewhat thin, but
then he never was very ro-
bust, and he told me he
weighed 1875 pounds, his Gus
tomary weight.
My brother also told me
he had a bed to sleep on;
received three meals a day
which, though plain. were
sufficient; that he was al
lowed to exercise outside twice
daily; that he had a cell
mate who was apparently
Chinese but who could speak
English.
The only work he had to
do, he said, was to clean
his cell. The cell was free of
insects. He had no outside
books but got an occasional
Chinese newspaper and GER
tain magazines or periodicals
produced in China but printed
in English.
Has No Religious Books
He doesn't have his breviary
or any other religious books,
nor does he have a rosary.
AS a present representing the
50th anniversary of our grad
uation, the authorities of
Mount st. Mary's College had
provided a gold rosary for
the surviving members of the
class of 1910.
I asked permission to give
this rosary to him, explaining
it was an anniversary gift. 1t
was turned back to me with
the comment that it was not
necessary for him to have it
and that prisoners were al
lowed only necessities.
l also asked permission to-
give him a note from Mr.. w.
Wallace McKaig of Cumber-
land, an old family friend,
which only said, Dear James:
Best wishes" This was on a
card containing Mr.. McKaig's s
name and address. He had
inclosed it in an envelope
addressed to Bishop Walsh.
This was, returned to me
with the observation that pris-
oners could not receive any