The Northern Guardian. — 1898-10-21 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

MESSAGE TO THE WORLD.  Karl Weinheber, cook on the Netherland steamer dalusia, has visited th.? prison quarters of Capt. Dreyfus, on Devil's Island, and received direct trom him a message to the a orld. .  As a substitute for the cook at the prison garrison, who has broken his arm, he st3yed a short time Pn the spider, centipede, and scorpion infested island.  Mr Weinheber has written a straightforsvard. t•imple account of his experience there, of which the following is a literal translation:—  Our ship. the Netherland steamer Andalusia, was anchoring off Devil's Island after a visit to Cayenne, when we were hailed from ashore. At the same time a smell boat put off, manned by soldiers. They came alongside to ask the captain for the loan of a cook while the Andalusia was waiting for freight. The cook of the little garrison had broken his arm, they said, and our cook was to teactt one of their men so that he might be able at attend the kitchen until another was sent by the commander. 'The captain sent me to the Island, and while busy in the little kitchen—l instructed a soldier in the mysteries of broiling lamb chops and cooking pork —I had plenty of opportunity to question Captain Dreyfus's guards. The men who had first seemed disinclined to speak, became quite loquacious after a N.'hie. "He' was not so ill-treated as those in the world seemed to think. "Ile" is not confined. "He" can go ..Nciywhore en the island Of coeme, two men are always at his heels. "He" gets up between six and seven in the morning, and his first breakfast consists of a up of chocolate. If the weather is good "he" goes for a walk soon afterwards, and winds up his promenade by a bath. "But are you not afraid he might swim away or commit suicide?" I asked. "Not at all," said the soldiers, "for a rope is fastenedlto both hs wrists, and the ends of the rope are in the hands of the guard. After the bath he takes his second breakfast—butter, btead, barn or eggs and a bottle of beer. Then he goes in for study. lle reads and writes for several hours." i "What kind of books has he got?" The soldiers looked at each other. After a while one of them said. "He is only allowed to read technical works. But he can write whatever he pleases. He is now writing an account of his life." "Must he show you what be writes?" "No. We read only the letters he desires to have forwarded. These are sent to the commander at Cayenne." "And does the commander send them off as received?" "No; they are copied and the originals are retained at Cayenne." "What does he do besides reading and writing?" "Two weeks ago we received permission ;tom the commander to play e.ards with the prisoner, and since theu he has become an inveterate gambler. After dinner—he has always soup, a roast and dessert—after two in the afternoon we always play baccarat together." "What are the gtakes?"  The soldiers laughed. "He has not got a sou, and there are probably not three francs on the whole island. We play for shells. The prisoner gets ilia supper at six in the evening—roast or ham and a batle of beer. ,i-,'!'con afterwards he goes to bed. He is not allowed to have light, you know. Only th guard at the door keeps up a wood fire. Ha says the hours from 7to 10 are the worst. He cam rot go to sleep before ten o'clock, aril the guard is not allowed to answer any question he may out. In daytime he may talk to him, but only on the most trifling subjects--the weather, his health, etc. France must not be mentioned. "Is he allowed to smoke?" . "No: that is, I think he is not, for the commander does not send him any tobacco." "May I leave sonfrcig-ars for him?" As the soldiers did not answer I emptied my tobacco pouch and my cigar-case on the table. I hone he got what I left for him? When I was about to return to my ship I saw a man, followed by two soldiers, approach from the strand—Dreyfus. He seemed to have heard of ray presence and measured me with questioning looks. His lips moved but he did not speak. He is a middle-sized man, cadaverous and of a yellow complexion. His eyes are clep in their sockets. he walks with a stoop and his forehead is furrowed. It is evident !hat he is ageing rapidly. Dreyfus whispered with his guard, and when the 11.1.ter had nodded assent walked up to me and shook me by the hand. "I3ring my good uishes to the wide world." he said, in a voice quivering with emotion. Then he walked slowly into his hut. He remained standing at the door waving his hand towards me as the boat dashed into the waves. Half a-1 hour later we were on our way home.