CONFIDENTIAL

COPY

Army Service Forces
Office of the Commanding General
Washington 25 DC

SPEX

24 May 1944

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR, MORALE SERVICES DIVISION:

Subject: Assignment of Officer for duty with the Provost Marshal General in connection with Orientation activities of Prisoners of War.

1. The Director, Morale Services Division, has recommended that Major Edward Davison, A.U.S. be selected for this assignment. This selection is approved.

2. The Director of Personnel, Army Service Forces, will issue the necessary orders.

3. The Director, Morale Services Division is requested to have Major Edward Davison report to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 at his convenience on May 25th for discussion of some of the problems involved.

W.D. STYER
Major General, U.S.A.
Chief of Staff

Copies to:

Deputy Chief of Staff, Service Commands
Provost Marshal General (Attention General Bryan)
Director of Personnel, ASF
Asst. Chief of Staff, G-1

C
O
P
Y

SECRET

WDGAP 383.6

22 May 1944

MEMORANDUM FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMY SERVICE FORCES:

Subject: Reorientation of German Prisoners of War.

1. The Secretary of War has approved in principle the establishment of a program of reorientation of German prisoners of war. Specific proposals for such a program, for submission to the Secretary of War, are being considered by the Interdepartmental Board on Prisoners of War, consisting of representatives of the State, War and Navy Department.

2. The program will be under the jurisdiction and control of the War Department. The Provost Marshal General will be charged with the responsibility of carrying out this program.

3. The program will have as its basic objective, the creation and fostering of a spontaneous reaction on the part of the German prisoners toward activities and contacts which will encourage an attitude of respect on their part for American institutions. It is considered that any approach which leads the prisoner to suspect an attempt to propagandize them will render impossible the achievement of the mission.

4. To some extent the basis for such a program already exists within PW camps in the form of movies; camp libraries for prisoners containing both German and English texts; athletic activities; educational courses; camp newspapers; theater and art projects, etc. It is considered that the existing basis can be enlarged, diversified and integrated into a single organized program for the achievement of the described mission.

5. It is desired that a highly capable officer, with sufficient background and experience to organize and direct such a program, be recommended for this purpose. His first task will be to conduct a field and War Department survey of the problem and to present recommendations to the Interdepartmental Board as to a detailed course of action to initiate indoctrination, assignment and supervision; and available aids and facilities within and without the War Department.

6. There is to be no publicity given this program.

/s/ M. G. WHITE,
Major General,
Assistant Chief of Staff.

SECRET

C
O
P
Y

SECRET

WDGAP 383.6

22 May 1944

5. It is desired that a highly capable officer, with sufficient background and experience to organize and direct such a program, be recommended for this purpose. His first task will be to conduct a field and War Department survey of the problem and to present recommendations to the Interdepartmental Board as to a detailed course of action to initiate the program; the number and types of personnel necessary; their training, indoctrination, assignment and supervision; and available aids and facilities within and without the War Department.

/S/ M. G. WHITE,
Major General,
Assistant Chief of Staff.

SECRET

C
O
P
Y

WDGAP 383.6

22 May 1944

This image does not contain any text. It appears to be a logo or a pattern of colors.

SECRET

WAR DEPARTMENT
HEADQUARTERS ARMY SERVICE FORCES
WASHINGTON

O
P
Y

23 May 1944

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL

(THRU: Deputy Chief of Staff for Service Commands)

SUBJECT: Reorientation of German prisoners of war.

1. Reference is made to the attached memorandum from the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, dated 22 May 1944, on the above subject, and to conference on this matter held by the undersigned with Brigadier General Bryan, representing the Provost Marshal General; Colonel Nash, representing the Deputy Chief of Staff for Service Commands, Colonel Nixon, representing the Director of Personnel; and Colonel Matrous, representing Morale Services Division, ASF.

2. In accordance with the decisions reached at this conference, the following action will be taken:

a. The Provost Marshal General will, in collaboration with the Director, Morale Services Division, prepare a program for reorientation of German prisoners of war, and submit same to this office for approval.

b. The Morale Services Division will make selection of a qualified officer for supervising this program, and submit their recommendation to the Commanding General, Army Service Forces. The officer selected and approved to supervise this program will be assigned to the Office of the Provost Marshal General for this work, and will work directly under the office of the Provost Marshal General, which office will be charged with the responsibility of carrying out the program.

3. It is requested that the action indicated above be expedited.

4. Attention of all concerned is directed to the fact that there will be no publicity given to this program.

By command of Lieutenant General SOPERRELL:

Attach. as indicated

copy furnished,

(Thru: Director of Personnel, ASF)

Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1

/s/ W. D. STYLER
Major General, U.S.A.
Chief of Staff

SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
INTERDEPARTMENTAL BOARD ON PRISONERS OF WAR
HELD IN THE OFFICE OF THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL

3 P.M., 18 APRIL 1944

1. There were present for the War Department, Major General White, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, Major General Gullion, The Provost Marshal General, Brigadier General Lerch and Brigadier General Bryan, P.M.G.O., Lt. Colonel Bernays, G-1, Lt. Colonel Yudelson, G-1, and Lt. Colonel Rogers, P.M.G.O.; for the Navy, Captain Jackson; for the State Department, Mr. Berle, Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Keeley and Mr. Gufler, Special War Problems Division; and for the Department of Justice, Mr. Cooley.

2. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the problem of re-orientation of Nazi prisoners of war.

3. General White opened the meeting with the statement that whatever is done to accomplish the indoctrination of Nazi prisoners in "the American way of life" must be entirely under military supervision. This was agreed to by the State Department representatives. Mr. Berle stated that the desired objective is so to indoctrinate the Nazis that when they return to Germany they will not return as a tight Nazi group with a desire to resurrect Nazi control by means of power politics. It was agreed that if anything is to be accomplished in influencing the Nazis it must be done on the voluntary basis and that obvious propaganda methods cannot be used, that means should be devised to expose the Nazis to the American way of life by the use of books, moving pictures, etc. The use of lectures was discussed. General Gullion pointed out that the effectiveness of lectures depended upon who delivered the lectures, and that it would be most inadvisable to use journalists and refugees as suggested by Mrs. Ogden Reed.

4. Mr. Gufler raised the question of prisoner of war administration and suggested that the present War Department organization was cumbersome

CONFIDENTIAL

and suggested that prisoner of war administration be centralized in the Office of the Provost Marshal General. General White, General Lerch and General Bryan pointed out that this was contrary to the general War Department policy of decentralization. It was pointed out to the State Department representatives that three things to be considered in the administration of prisoners of war are (1) work, (2) security and (3) education, and that of these three education is the least important. The State Department representatives were of the opinion that the whole prisoner of war program should be centralized because the service commands handle prisoners of war as a routine matter. General Lerch objected to the statement that the service commands were handling prisoners of war in a routine manner and stated that the service commands have a very vital interest in prisoner of war administration. General Gullion stated that it was not possible to handle the work program from Washington, but that the indoctrination program might be coordinated and directed from Washington. However, the execution of the plan would have to be under the service commands.

5. General White stated that the Secretary of War had determined that an indoctrination program should be undertaken. He further stated that he thought the Provost Marshal General should be responsible for the plan. General Bryan pointed out that it would require highly trained, specialized personnel to carry out the program. It was agreed that this personnel must be military and that no civilians should be used in the program. There was a general discussion with regard to the type of personnel and the kind of training to be required.

6. General Bryan suggested that a subcommittee be appointed to study the problem and formulate a specific plan to be submitted to the board. The suggestion was adopted and Lt. Colonel Yudelson was named to represent the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, Lt. Colonel Edwards to represent the Provost Marshal General and Mr. Gufler to represent the State Department.

7. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M.

Distribution:

Mr. Gufler (2)      Gen. Gullion (1)
Col. Bernays (2)    Gen. Lerch (1)
Capt. Jackson (1)   PMGO File
Mr. Cooley (1)      Gen. Bryan (1)

CONFIDENTIAL

March 2, 1944

INDOCTRINATION OF GERMAN PRISONERS
OF WAR

The United States has been at war for about twenty-seven months but German prisoners of war were not received for detention in the continental United States in substantial numbers until the late spring and early summer of 1945. These German prisoners were the first foreign prisoners of war held in the continental United States in more than a century and the first to be held here under the presently existing treaties. The American military authorities were, therefore, without any first-hand experience whatsoever regarding this problem. The censorship authorities who are concerned with the international mail of prisoners of war were even more inexperienced than were the military authorities.

The steps taken by the War Department to fulfill the Geneva Convention on its material side, that is, as regards the provision of food, living accommodations, and the other physical appurtenances of prisoner of war camps have in general been complete and thorough and such as to furnish a good basis for subsequent Indoc-trination of the prisoners. In fact, as General Bryan, the Assistant Provost Marshal General, has stated, the material treatment of the prisoners of war has made of them the most effective propaganda machine now at the disposal of the Government of the United States.

Censorship studies of outbound prisoner of war correspondence indicate that the vast bulk of prisoners are addressing to their relatives in Germany letters praising the conditions under which they are held in the United States. Studies of inbound correspondence addressed to prisoners by their relatives in Germany indicate that these letters are reaching the addressees in Germany. In their replies the friends and relatives in Germany express satisfaction over the prisoners' good reports of conditions in American camps and frequently tell the prisoners that they are well out of the war and

should

-2-

should be glad that they have been made prisoners by the
Americans. Even letters from members of the German armed
forces express similar sentiments.

To be successful any campaign of indoctrination undertaken among prisoners of war must be based on a correct understanding of the prisoners and must permeate our entire prisoner of war program. It must not be an obvious campaign openly designed to turn the prisoners against their own country. Such a campaign would probably cause unnecessary and dangerous dissension in the camps and would lead the prisoners to react directly against this country.

In preparing the campaign the following points about German prisoners of war should be borne in mind: A. Although there does not appear to be any deep-seated animosity or hatred toward the United States or toward the American institutions on the part of the majority of the prisoners, they can never completely forget that the United States is at war with their country and that they are in the hands of the enemy; B. They attribute Germany's loss of the last war to the United States; C. They accuse the United States of unjustified intervention in the present war; D. Although the vast majority of them are not confirmed or fanatical Basis, most of them love their country and feel that they have the same right to do so that anyone has to love his country; E. Their standard of formal education is high; F. They have many of the prejudices for and against the United States and misunderstandings of the United States that are common to Europeans generally and are not confined specifically to Germans. There are among the German prisoners some who regard this country as an uncultured, materialistic nation inferior to any European country. On the other hand numerous prisoners regard the United States as a desirable country in which to remain after the war, either because of the greater amount of freedom or because of the greater opportunities for success that they think it offers as compared with Europe. A good many prisoners have expressed a desire to remain here in their letters to relatives in Germany.

An indoctrination campaign should endeavor to reach the Germans by presenting to them in so far as is possible in the circumstances the best aspects of American life and institutions. The most powerful means of indoctrination would be by example. We should endeavor to show the Germans by our general treatment of them that

we are

-3-

We are fair, honest, humane but firm, jealous of liberties but quick to punish those who infringe on the liberties of others, efficient and loyal to our own institutions and ideals.

The higher officials of the War Department concerned with prisoners of war appear to accept these principles and in general give evidence of being on the right track. They believe that the indispensable and basic requirement for the fulfillment of the Government's treaty obligations and ultimately for the indoctrination and reeducation of the prisoners is a correct and proper carrying out of this Government's responsibilities under the Convention. They maintain that the prisoners are most likely to be successfully indoctrinated by fair and honest treatment on the part of the holding authorities, by an efficient use of their labor, and through their day to day experiences with Americans who have to do with them naturally and in the ordinary course of their life and employment as prisoners of war. They have taken the stand that any effort to indoctrinate the prisoners through plainly labeled courses in anti-Nazism or democracy or through the agency of persons whose political background is such that they to arouse among the prisoners suspicions as to their motives is likely to cause an unfavorable reaction.

Almost from the beginning of the prisoner of war program efforts have been made by various groups of migrants and similar persons to obtain access to the prisoners and a free hand in indoctrination activities among them. The Army authorities have done their utmost to keep such persons out of contact with the prisoners and to keep the prisoner of war program completely within Army hands.

The experiences gained by representatives of the Department of State through their relations with the American military authorities, the protecting Powers, and the prisoners themselves indicate the soundness of the military authorities' basic attitude toward prisoner of war indoctrination.

Although much has been done, even the military authorities admit that much remains to be done. Specific remarks concerning what has been done or neglected, together with suggestions as to what might be done, are made under the following headings:

1. Organization.

-4-

1. **Organization.** The accomplishments of the War Department appear to have been made in spite of rather than on account of the organization of its prisoner of war administration. In contrast to our principal allies and enemies we have no centralized prisoner of war administration. At present, general policies with regard to prisoners of war are determined in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1; intelligence questions and certain other phases of prisoner of war activities are controlled by G-2; and the Office of the Provost Marshal General has supervision, but not direct control, over the operation of the prisoner of war program. Direct control of the prisoner of war camps is exercised by the Corps Area Service Commands. The War Department can address no instructions directly to camp commanders but must issue them to the Service Commands. These apparently exercise considerable latitude with regard to what shall pass on to the individual camp.

Although prisoner of war camp administration is a highly specialized activity, it appears to be handled by the Service Commands as a routine matter and as a minor side issue to their other activities. Furthermore, most of the prisoner of war camps are run as adjutants to big American Army posts. Prisoner of war camp commanders are thus subjected to constant interference by the post commanders who have authority over them and who in practice apparently show very little disposition to consider the needs and opinions of the prisoner of war camp commanders.

It would appear advisable for the War Department to establish a centralized prisoner of war administration controlled in every respect from Washington and dependent on the Service Commands for material supplies only.

2. **Personnel.** The personnel of prisoner of war camps gives evidence of having been selected by the Service Commands in a haphazard fashion. No effort seems to have been made to train either the officers or the guard personnel for the highly specialized work in which they are engaged.

In many cases officers are reported to be assigned to prisoner of war camps as punishment. Such men tend to have no pride in their work and frequently have a tendency to vent their injured feelings in their dealings with the prisoners. Some of the officers are not

representative

- 5 -

representative of the side of the American people that it is desirable to present to foreigners. Many are deficient in educational background. It has been observed that German prisoners of war speaking English to members of the American camp personnel often have a better command of the language than do the Americans with whom they deal. Some officers and non-commissioned officers have been selected without regard to their other qualifications because they have a knowledge of some German dialect or because they have some recent European background. Although satisfactory interpreters are rare and are greatly needed, persons speaking dialects of German which sound vulgar or comic to the prisoners or are difficult to understand are worse than no interpreters at all, especially since many of the Germans speak good English.

Guards are usually assigned from limited service men. This is to be expected and would be no occasion for unfavorable criticism were it not that many of them appear from statements of their own officers to be of sub-standard intelligence. Limited service guards for prisoner camps should be chosen when possible from among men who are limited service for reasons other than their lack of intelligence. The type of guard assigned to this work plus the lack of proper training appears to have been responsible for a number of the shootings of prisoners which, according to high ranking Army officers, are frequently attributable to "trigger happiness" on the part of the guards.

X

The impact of responsibility has served to eliminate the most unfit of the camp commanders, especially those who were made camp commanders as punishment for drunkenness or for displays of ineptness in previous assignments.

Despite the general improvement in camp commanders it is too much to expect that good commanders alone can accomplish all that needs to be done with the subordinate personnel. The following measures would appear advisable:

(1) Some sort of system for training officers and personnel for prisoner of war activities should be established. In the course of the training, persons assigned to prisoner of war activities should have a little special treatment designed to give them pride in their work.

It

- 6 -

It might be pointed out to them that largely depending on the way in which they handle the German prisoners, the prisoners will upon their return home become active propaganda agents for or against this country.

(2) A special effort should be made to choose camp personnel representative of the best side of the American people. Persons should not be selected without regard to their other qualifications merely because they have a knowledge of some German dialect or because they have some recent European background. It would be far better to choose intelligent personnel who have a good command of English and to encourage them to learn a minimum amount of German.

### 3. Welfare Officers.
In most camps there is no American officer specifically responsible for the organization of welfare and recreational activities among the prisoners. These activities tend to be hazardous or to depend for their organization entirely on the initiative of the prisoners. As a result they almost inevitably come under the control of one or another political element among the prisoners, in most camps under the extreme Nazi element, and tend to be used by the element which runs them as one of its instruments for dominating and coercing other groups.

In each camp one of the American officers should be given the responsibility of fostering and assisting in the organization of welfare and recreational activities among the prisoners.

### 4. Use of prisoner of war labor.
Considerable progress has been made in the direction of intelligent use of prisoner of war labor. At first the War Department was obsessed with the fear of escapes and hedged the use of the labor of prisoners of war with burdensome conditions. The use of prisoners was often uneconomic and inefficient to an extent that excited their derision and undermined their respect for the United States. Demand for labor has tended to correct this attitude. Prisoners are being sent out with fewer guards and more realistic guarding techniques are being developed.

### 5. Educational programs.
So far very little has been done from the American side to foster educational programs. A considerable amount of educational material has been sent in by the German Red Cross through the

International

-7-

International Red Cross and schools have been organized
in the camps by the prisoners themselves.

Prisoners have expressed desires to carry on studies
under American auspices and to learn more of American
ways of doing things. A number of American educational
institutions, including the Universities of Tennessee
and Virginia and the Colorado State Agricultural College,
have shown interest in making facilities available to
prisoners. Efforts to start courses under the auspices
of these universities have been defeated by the attitude
of the Office of Censorship. Since that Office has
legal authority only over international correspondence,
the War Department now intends to censor at the camps
domestic correspondence in connection with study by
prisoners.

It would appear advisable to take advantage of
acceptable educational material forwarded by the German
Red Cross and at the same time, in so far as may be
possible, to utilize the desire of numerous of the pris-
oners to have contact with American educational institu-
tions, to draw the latter into the prisoner of war educa-
tional program.

6. Camp Libraries. Much remains to be done in the establishment of satisfactory camp libraries. The German Red Cross has sent in thousands of excellent German publications, including translations of Shakespeare into German, books on art and architecture, and standard non-political fiction and non-fiction works as well as elaborate reproductions of well-known paintings and folios of reproductions and drawings, et cetera. These books are at present passing through the Office of Censorship and are in the course of distribution by the International Red Cross Committee delegate.

Accomplishments from the American side have been
much less impressive. The ranking German general at
Camp Clinton complained, for example, that in seven and
one-half months in American captivity, he had been able
to acquire a library of only three books. In many of
the camps fairly large libraries have been built up by
the Y.M.C.A. and other welfare organizations. Unfortun-
ately most of the books in the libraries so built up
consist of discards from private and church libraries
of out of date light English language fiction and

literature

-3-

literature of the Graustark vintage or the Sunday school type.

Passage through Consceraph of acceptable German language books forwarded by the German Red Cross should be expedited. Endeavors should be made to collect in the United States copies of German classics and other high quality German literature and to transmit it to the camps after clearance by some expedited censorship method.

7. **Periodicals.** Most of the well known American newspapers and periodical publications are purchased through the camp canteens or subscribed to by English reading prisoners of war. Almost all of the camps take numerous copies of the *New York Times* and of the leading newspaper published in the nearest city. Copies of *Time*, *Life*, *Saturday Evening Post*, and other such publications are also frequently seen in the camps.

About six German language periodical publications are admitted to the camps, among them the *New Yorker*, *Staatsszeitung*, the *New Yorker Volks Zeitung*, the *Texas Frele Presse*, and the *New York German-American*, reportingly pro-communist and admitted to the camps with reluctance, and two religious publications in the German language. The *New York Times* is by far the most popular American publication. From remarks dropped by the prisoners it appears that most of them consider the German language newspapers in the United States to be pretty poor stuff in comparison with the standard American newspapers.

The Germans publish newspapers in various languages for circulation among prisoners of war held by them and formerly, at least, appear to have had some propaganda success with such publications. Consideration should be given to the publication of a prisoner of war newspaper or magazine in the German language for circulation in our camps. Acceptable and cooperative prisoners of war might be made use of in connection with the publication of such a periodical. In order to be effective it should avoid taking any obvious propaganda line.

8. **Motion Pictures and Theaters.** Very ineffective use is being made of this powerful means of indoctrination despite the fact that large theaters where motion pictures can be shown and plays can be given are available in almost all of the camps. These theaters are not

usually

-9-

usually located within the prisoner enclosures, having been constructed for use by the American personnel. Many of the theaters are dark part of the time. Consideration should be given to permitting the prisoners to use them under appropriate safe-guard for the production of acceptable plays with prisoner talent and for the showing of movies. There is available a vast film library of National Park films, State films of various sorts, and scientific and educational films put out by large American business and other institutions and by Government agencies which would furnish excellent induction material. It would also appear advisable to show from time to time good non-political Hollywood productions and acceptable German language films, numerous of which are understood to be in storage in the United States.

**D. Religion.** In the original plan of all of the prisoner of war camps there was no provision made for the construction of chapels. For the most part religious services in the camps are held in improvised buildings inadequate for the purpose. Such services are often provided by non-German speaking United States Army chaplains or by American chaplains who speak some German but who double in the role of post and prisoner of war chaplains, sometimes with bad results.

In some cases United States chaplains have begun their work among the prisoners on too open a political line. They have thus alienated prisoners at the beginning and have played directly into the hands of the extreme elements who overlook no opportunity to carry on petty persecutions of the religious elements. Furthermore, some of the chaplains working among prisoners of war have engaged in journalism. For example, there appeared in the January tenth issue of *Life* on pages 47 to 50 an illustrated anonymous article purporting to be written by a United States Army chaplain, who works among German prisoners of war, commenting at length on the prisoners.

From a point of view of successful religious induction work among prisoners of war excursions into journalism by chaplains assigned to work among the prisoners are ill-advised and unfortunate. The more reasonable religious elements among the prisoners point out that they cannot give their confidence to a clergyman who is likely to turn journalist after having gained their confidence and to use knowledge gained in his religious capacity for journalistic ends.

American

-10-

American Army chaplains working among prisoners of war should be carefully selected and specially trained. An effort should be made to find among the German Army chaplains, and among the German clergymen taken prisoner as soldiers, real Christians who will serve under appropriate direction as camp chaplains. Such action on the part of the United States Government would give a concrete demonstration of American religious tolerance and might successfully contribute to a religious revival among the prisoners. The American chaplain in charge at Croesoille, Tennessee, appears to have proved this point by making effective use of German prisoner clergymen.

10. **Segregation of Incompatible Elements.** The vast mass of the German prisoners of war do not appear to be political fanatics. They can, however, be terrorized by extremists who set up "kangaroo courts". In most of the camps terrorist actions tend to be carried on by extreme Nazi elements but in other so-called anti-Nazi camps apparently communist elements are the successful terrorists.

It would appear most advisable, and in accordance with the expressed wishes of the reasonable element among the prisoners, to segregate the political extremists and direct actionists of whatever variety into camps where they will not be in a position to terrorize other prisoners, or to upset them by bad example, non-cooperation, and constant agitation.

11. **Sightseeing Tours.** Certain officers in the War Department are convinced that it would be profitable to take some prisoners on tours to let them see something more of America than can be observed from behind barbed-wire. They are planning to arrange the schedule of the next sick and wounded to be repatriated in such a way as to give them an opportunity to see something of the country and from time to time to arrange transfers of prisoners from camp to camp on the same basis. It is thought by prisoners has been so handled as to prevent them from seeing much of the United States.

It has been observed, however, that what they do see often has a powerful effect on them. The commander of one of the camps observed a striking change in the attitude of an officer prisoner whom he took in his car on a trip between camps through Birmingham, Alabama, where he showed him something of the business and industrial sections.

12. **Activities**

RE D R A F T

ECE:bb 72032

24 November 1943.

SPMSA 383.6

(12 Jun 43)

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF, A.S.F.,

THRU: Director of Personnel, A.S.F.

Subject: Recreation, Education and Orientation of
Enemy Prisoners.

The matter of recreation, education and orientation of enemy prisoners was under consideration during June and July, 1943 and on 17 July 1943 was deferred. (File attached). This Division is in a position to confer with the PMG as directed by 1st Ind. SPEX 383.6 (2 Jun 43) dated 10 July 1943 (contained in file) since in my opinion the reasons which recommended deferment in relation to indoctrination of Italian prisoners, as distinct from those of other nationalities, have been substantially modified.

F. H. OSBORN,
Major General,
Director.

Incl. (File)

ECE:bb 72032

DRAFT

23 November 1943.

SPMSA 383.6
(19 Jun 43)

The matter of recreation, education and orientation of enemy prisoners was under consideration during June and July, 1943, and on 17 July 1943 was deferred. (File attached). With the change in status of Italian prisoners of war, this Division considers that the matter is now worthy of reconsideration insofar as the complete program for the Italians is concerned; for recreation and education for the remaining prisoners of war. This Division is in a position to confer with the Provost Marshal General as directed by 1st Ind. SPEX 383.6 (2 Jun 43) dated 10 July 1943 (contained in file) since in my opinion the reasons which recommended deferment (Memo for Chief of Staff, ASF dated 16 July 1943 from the Director of Administration, A.S.F., attached) have been substantially modified.

Inclosure.

File 383.6.

November 23 1943

Subject: Indoctrination of Enemy Prisoners of War

To: Colonel E.C. Ewert

1. The original proposal, referred to General Osborn by Secretary McCloy in March 1943, was for a plan by which prisoners of war might be exposed to the facts of American history, the workings of a democracy, and the contribution made to America by peoples of all national origins.

2. The Judge Advocate General gave an opinion that there is no legal objection to lectures, moving pictures, books, and other means of instruction provided that attendance at or use of same is voluntary.

3. The idea of providing recreational and athletic activities through this Division (then SSD) was injected into the correspondence at a very late stage and had no relation to Secretary McCloy's original idea.

4. The rejection of the indoctrination plan in relation to prisoners of German and Japanese nationality is valid for the reasons given. But now that Italy has become a co-belligerent the status of prisoners of Italian nationality has perhaps changed, or may be about to change. The suggestion is that such prisoners might prove only too willing to learn (as volunteers) about American democratic ideas and that there might now be no offence to the Geneva Convention even if a course of indoctrination were to be established on an involuntary basis.

5. It is possible that Italian national authorities would even welcome such a scheme. Count Sforza and other Italian leaders whose counsel was obtained during the original investigation of the plan were very well disposed towards it, certainly not at all antagonistic. They would probably like it even better at the present time.

6. Is it not perhaps conceivable that, before the war is over, these same prisoners may be in arms again, this time against the Axis? If any such possibility is contemplated the case for some course of indoctrination would be automatically strengthened.

6. Recommendation is made that the attached draft letter be changed in its last para. to read as follows -

"This Division is in a position to confer with the PMG as directed etc., since in my opinion the reasons which recommended deferment in relation to indoctrination of Italian prisoners, as distinct from those of other nationalities, have been substantially modified."

Major, A.U.S.
Orientation Branch

WAR DEPARTMENT

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY SERVICE FORCES

WASHINGTON, D. C.

IN REPLY
REFER TO

SPMSO-383.6

(12 Jun 43)

11 November 1943.

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION.

Subject: Orientation of Enemy Prisoners.

The matter of orientation of enemy prisoners was under consideration during June and July, 1943, and on 17 July 1943 was deferred. With the change in status of Italian prisoners of war, this Division considers that the matter is now worthy of reconsideration. This Division is in a position to initiate action with the proper agency designated by the Director of Administration, if the Director concurs in this view.

F. H. OSBORN,
Major General,
Director for Morale Services.

To: Colonel E.C. Ewert

7. Instructions made that the attached draft letter be changed in its last para. to read as follows -

Extract from AGO file, "C-in-C Report: History of Bureau of Prisoners of War," folder 72.

Page 23:

**ENCLOSURE UNIVERSITY:** By authority of a letter of January 12, 1919, from the Provost Marshal General to Commanding Officer, P.W.E., and P.W. Companies, introducing Dr. Otto Zahle as representing the Danish Red Cross and authorizing him to supervise educational work among German prisoners, a real university was instituted for the Officer prisoners. As early as November, 1916, lessons had been begun, at first only by lectures held on the theory of animal development and the formation of animal states. In the same month two English courses, one for beginners and one for advanced, two French and two Hebrew courses were started; and shortly afterward courses began in German History, civil rights, pedagogy, psychology, chemistry, mathematics, and agriculture; to these were added lessons for business men, shorthand, book-keeping, etc.

**LATER DEVELOPMENTS:** - Gradual increase in the number of German prisoners of war brought to the enclosure all sorts of knowledge-hungry men, and supplied a large number who were either professional teachers or experienced in business or science, capable and willing to help fellow men. Examinations are to be held in all courses and credit will be given at various German Universities for the work done in History, Languages, Law, Medicine, Mathematics, Economics, Theology, Philosophy, Literature, and numerous subjects outlined more fully in Part G-3.

SPAAM 383.6

19 July 1943

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL:

1. Reference is made to your memorandum for the Chief of Staff, Army Service Forces, through this office, dated 24 June 1943 file SPMSA (37) 383.6 subject as above.

2. For your further information copies of subsequent indorsements and memoranda are attached. The recommendation of this office dated 16 July 1943 has been approved.

MADISON PEARSON,
Brigadier General, G. S. C.,
Deputy Director of Administration.

3 Incls:

Cy of memo for CofS, ASF,
fr L/A, 16 Jul 43.

1st Ind fr D/A to CofS, ASF,
dtd 9 Jul 43. (copy)

2nd Ind to Dir, Special Service
Div., fr Asst. to CofS, ASF,
dtd 10 Jul 43.

Officer: Lt. Col. K. L. Van Sickle
eak Ext 74729 Rm 3E 624

FOR RECORD:

See our Reg. no. 6-179.

Cy of Memo dtd 16 Jul 43 w/incls in our file.

D/A file

SPAAE 383.6 (24 June 1943)

16 July 1943.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMY SERVICE FORCES:

General Osborn and the undersigned, this date, discussed thoroughly the question of a program of orientation for enemy prisoners of war. Inasmuch as the prisoners of war in the United States, in the near future, will be very busy on projects pertaining to the Army and to civilian projects like Agriculture and other work, it is mutually agreed that the carrying out of the proposal contained in paragraph 4, 1st Indorsement, be deferred for the present.

JAMES L. COLLINS,
Major General, U. S. Army,
Director of Administration.

1 Incl.

Memo for C/S, ASF,
thru: D/A, fr PMG,
24 June 1943, w/incl
and 2 Inds.

C O D Y

SERVICES OF SUPPLY
OFFICE OF THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL

WASHINGTON

24 June '43

SPMGA (37) 383.6

MEMORANDUM for Chief of Staff, Army Service Forces,

(THRU: Director of Administration, Army Service Forces).

Attention: Colonel F. M. Smith.

1. While I recognize the value of successful inculcation of enemy nationals with the ideals for which the United Nations are waging war, I do not concur in the proposed orientation program for the following reasons:

a. Establishment of the proposed program might suggest and justify corresponding programs by Nazis and Facists, possibly subjecting American nationals in enemy hands to irritating if not torturous haranging.

b. The large overhead incident to the proposed program cannot be justified in view of manpower requirements.

c. The cost of the physical set-up would be out of proportion to the comparatively small number of enemy nationals exposed to the teaching.

d. Article 17 of the Geneva Convention requires the development by belligerents of intellectual diversions "organized by prisoners of war". The proposed program organized by the captor might, rightly or wrongly, be interpreted as a violation of the treaty.

e. Daytime classes would prevent full utilization of prisoner of war labor in agriculture and industry. Classes conducted after working hours would suffer from inattention and would not have sufficient time to accomplish the purpose.

f. Enemy prisoners of war, are for the most part, not children. Those who have sufficient intellectual capacity to be of value to a post war world have already built the philosophical frameworks of their respective lives. Those whose minds are sufficiently plastic to be affected by the program, are probably not worth the effort.

g. I have been informed by Mr. Barick, a representative of the International Y.M.C.A. who is familiar with the treatment of prisoners

of war in Great Britain, that the British authorities have dropped a
political indoctrination program instituted shortly after the start
of the war and are confining their efforts to fundamental instruction
in reading, writing, mathematics, geography and instruction in the
English language, when desired by the prisoners.

2. I recommend that instruction be made available in elementary and non-political subjects to prisoners of war who desire it, provided that it is supervised by a non-political organization, and conducted in the language best designed to make the instruction successful. In no other respect do I concur in the basic memorandum.

Allen W. Gullion,
Major General,
The Provost Marshal General.

1 Incl.

Memo for Chief of Staff, A.S.F.,
12 June 1943.

SPAAM 383.6 (12 June 1943) 1st Ind.

Office, Director of Administration, A.S.F., Washington, D.C., 9 July
1943.

TO: Chief of Staff, Army Service Forces.

1. The inadvisability of attempting an educational program of indoctrination as proposed by the Director of Special Services Division is concurred in. However, there is a definite need for a welfare program for prisoners of war to include educational, vocational and recreational activities.

2. The gathering together under restraint of thousands of healthy virile young prisoners of war poses to such prisoners a tremendous problem of adjustment and everything possible should be done to help them make this adjustment.

3. In place of a purposeful indoctrination it would appear desirable to first make the prisoners receptive through fair and square treatment and to then furnish them with such information as to our way of life and ideals as they seek and are ready to absorb. Such an approach is believed reasonable, practicable, mutually advantageous and entirely within the spirit of the Geneva Convention.

4. Because of its peculiar morale problems and factors, it is believed that the advice and assistance of the Special Services Division is especially needed with respect to prisoner of war

-2-

SPAAM 383.6 (12 June 1943)

1st Ind. (Cont'd.)

programs and it is recommended that The Provost Marshal General and the Director of Special Service Division work out the details of a practical and reasonable recreational and educational program for prisoners of war.

1 Incl. n/c

SPEX 383.6 (2 Jun 43)

2nd Ind.

Office Chief of Staff, Army Service Forces, Wash., D.C., 10 July 1943.
TO: Director, Special Service Division. THRU: Director of Personnel.

1. Your attention is invited to 1st indorsement with inclosures particularly to paragraph 4 thereof.

2. It is desired that the Provost Marshal General and the Director, Special Service Division, work out the details of a practical and reasonable recreational and educational program for prisoners of war, and submit it to this office for approval.

By command of Lieutenant General SOMERVILL:

F. M. SMITH,
Colonel, General Staff Corps,
Asst. to the Chief of Staff, A.S.F.

1 Incl. n/c

C O P Y

WAR DEPARTMENT
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY SERVICE FORCES
Washington, D. C.

Special Service Division

SPSPX 383.6

(6-12-43)

12 June 1943)

MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF OF STAFF, A.S.F.

ATTENTION: COLONEL F. M. SMITH.

1. The objective of the study which has been carried on under your direction is to provide educational orientation for prisoners of war. In the course of this study the record of similar activities by this country during the World War has been examined, conferences have been held in order to determine existing policy and practice in this country, Canada, and Russia, and prisoner of war camps in Canada and the United States have been visited.

2. The following considerations have been found to bear upon the subject:

a. Educational activities carried on among prisoners of war by this country and by Canada have been limited to courses conducted by the prisoners themselves, with the aid of textbooks and a nominal degree of supervision provided by the International Y.M.C.A. Plans are in process for correspondence courses, looking towards academic credit from universities and colleges; in the care of the United States, this plan has reference to American institutions, while the Canadians are considering the making of arrangements with German universities, through the agency of the protecting power. At a Canadian camp for officers, near Toronto, university faculty members have delivered lectures. Books for libraries have been donated by the Y.M.C.A. and the Red Cross. The Y. M.C.A. has also distributed motion picture films on informational, non-controversial subjects; at the present time difficulty is experienced at the American camps in the showing of such films, because of the lack of projectors and suitable theaters. The Y.M.C.A. is prepared, however, to contribute towards the purchase of projection equipment.

b. The status of the International Y.M.C.A., as a neutral agency working in the interest of United Nations as well as Axis prisoners of war, limits its activities to fields remote from political, social, and economic philosophy, especially as regards national ideals. Its principal concern is properly the well-being

of prisoners of war, as distinct from support of the war aims of their detaining powers. Its officers feel that this consideration is basic to the entire program and usefulness of the organization, and they have accordingly carefully avoided entrance into areas of controversy. It is believed that this policy will materially restrict the participation of the International Y.M.C.A. in a broad program for education of prisoners of war. It is apparent, however, that it will be advantageous to make as large a use of their facilities and personnel as may be possible and appropriate. There would appear to be no controlling reason why the International Y.M.C.A., and similar organization, could not take an active part in the earlier stages of an educational program, especially in such matters as language instruction and history down to fairly recent times.

q. The attitudes of the prisoners have been found to be more staunchly loyal to their own countries, and their cultures, traditions and professed war aims, than is generally believed by the American public. In particular, their attachments to the Fascist and Nazi parties appear to have been only slightly affected by their capture and subsequent confinement by the United Nations. This fact is believed to be the principal obstacle to the present program, as it is also the most compelling reason for it.

d. The earlier and longer military training of the majority of Axis prisoners of war is reflected in their ready acceptance of disciplines imposed by themselves, and their continuing loyalty to their former officers and political leaders. In observation of prisoners in the United States and Canada it was noted that in general the individuals who gave evidence of being the keenest professional soldiers were least under the influence of Axis political philosophies; but that the initiative tended to be taken by the more active Fascists and Nazis, in the organization of educational courses and similar activities. It is believed that there is a danger of continued Nazi and Fascist indoctrination, attended by an overawing of individuals who might be disposed to respond to a course of democratic indoctrination, under the existing system of volunteer instructors, even in courses on technical and other non-controversial subjects.

e. It was noted that the physical facilities for educational work among prisoners of war in the United States are meagre, particularly as concerns indoor space, in comparison with the Canadian. It is realized that several controlling considerations will make impossible the construction of new buildings, suitable for an intensive educational program, by ordinary means. It is believed, however, that consideration should be given to the advisability of making possible the indoor showing of motion picture films to prisoners of war, as a means of utilizing this particularly effective medium of instruction.

f. The personnel employed as interpreters in the American prisoner of war camps appear not to have been as competent

- 2 -

as those employed by the Canadian Army. As a result of this fact, there is a tendency to rely in a relatively large degree in the American camps on English-speaking prisoners.

g. Language courses, particularly courses in English, have been popular with both German and Italian prisoners. The largest numbers, however, have been attracted by technical and scientific subjects of a type applicable in civil-life jobs. Prisoners have revealed also a considerable degree of interest in the geography and industries of North America.

h. There is no precedent in American, Canadian or British experience for a planned effort at prisoner of war education above the level of general "self-improvement" courses. It is reported that Russia has recently undertaken indoctrination of prisoners of war on political subjects, but little evidence as to the methods or success of such work is available. It is believed that in view of the difficulty of obtaining other than theoretical guidance in the organization of such a project it will be advisable to avoid detailed planning for an extended program at this time, but that the general form of such a long-range project should be determined now in order to assure the effective direction of its initial stages.

1. The circumstances of their confinement effectually cut off prisoners of war from all direct contact with American life and institutions except for the infrequent visits of relatives or friends resident in this country. They are thus not in a position to add to their previous knowledge, or correct their existing mis- information concerning the contributions to our life made by their own countrymen.

1. The national and cultural traditions of the two principal language groups among the prisoners are sufficiently different, both basically, and as continued within the camps, to require different approaches to and measures for their further educa- tion. Each group is sensitive to its own special traditions, reacts differently to war news, and is responsible to different stimuli. While a broad general policy could be made to meet many problems common to both groups, it is believed that in detail of any plan, and in the assignment of personnel for such duties, it will be essential to recognize the importance of such differences.

3. The following recommendations are submitted in the light of the foregoing considerations, and after the analysis of other factors noted in the attached reports on field trips and interviews:

a. Authorization of an activity of the Army Service Forces designed to provide for the voluntary instruction of enemy prisoners of war in the facts of American history, the workings of a democracy, the contributions to America made by peoples of all national origins, and the war aims of the United Nations.

- 3 -

h. The allocation of such activity to the following divisions of the Army Service Forces:

(1) The determination of policy, and the supervision of operation, to the Office of the Provost Marshal General.

(2) The preparation of instructional materials, and the nomination and training of such personnel as may be especially assigned to educational duties, by the Special Service Division.

(3) The operation of such educational activities within the prisoner of war camps by the respective Service Commands.

i. It is recommended that the following personnel be assigned to the duty of organizing and operating such a program:

(1) One Special Service officer to the Office of the Provost Marshal General, for the development of an educational program for prisoners of war and liaison with the Special Service Division, personnel of the respective Service Commands engaged in prisoner of war activities, the International Y.M.C.A. and such other agencies as may from time to time participate in educational and related activities for prisoners of war.

(2) One Special Service officer to each of the Service Commands in which prisoner of war camps are located (six in number at the present time) to supervise educational activities within the camps and to report to the Office of the Provost Marshal General such developments and recommendations as may bear upon the successful operation of the program.

j. It is recommended that the following considerations be included in the initial policy and planning for prisoners of war education:

(1) The desirability of concentrating upon instruction in the English language, during the initial stages of the program.

(2) The continuous screening and segregation of the more active Nazi and Fascist prisoners, especially those who have been members of the Gestapo and similar organizations.

(3) The distribution of weekly or more frequent news bulletins in the languages of the prisoners of war, to include the full texts of all military communiques and all other news materials of a kind calculated to develop a receptive state of mind in the prisoners; with continuation of subscriptions to English language newspapers, as at present.

(4) The construction or alteration by prisoner labor of simple buildings adapted to the holding of classes, if

-4-

practicable, to include provision for the showing of motion pictures
to at least one-fifth of the prisoners at a camp simultaneously.

(5) Reposing in the Special Service Officer, as consultant to the Camp Commander, authority to recommend against any materials circulated among prisoners, the effect of which is to confirm their pro-Axis convictions or deride the policy and war aims of the United States and its Allies.

h. It is recommended that the principal reliance in such a program be placed upon the example and observation, through frequent contacts, of superior types of American citizenship drawn from the same national origins as the prisoners themselves; that the program be given at all points a positive and constructive direction, not stressing the errors of Nazi and Fascist ideas, but developing such comparison with democracy rather by means of suggestion and indirection. It is believed that extreme care should be taken in the choice of any civilian lecturers who may be employed, and that in general the use of refugee speakers should be questioned. It is believed that the strongest appeal to prisoners of war will be as soldiers, by soldiers.

/s/ F. H. Osborn
F. H. OSBORN,
Brigadier General,
Director.

COPY

WASHINGTON

24 June '43

SPMG A (37) 383.6

1 Incl.

SPAAM 383.6 (12 June 1943)

1st Ind.

3. In place of a *pruposeful* indoctrination it would appear desirable to first make the prisoners receptive through fair and square treatment and to then furnish them with such information as to our way of life and ideals as they seek and are ready to absorb. Such an approach is believed reasonable, practicable, mutually advantageous and entirely within the spirit of the Geneva Convention.

SPAAM 383.6 (12 June 1943)

1st Ind. (Cont'd.)

1 Incl. n/c

SPEX 383.6 (2 Jun 43)

2nd Ind.

1. Your attention is invited to 1st indorsement with includes particularly to paragraph 4 thereof.

By command of Lieutenant General SOMERVILL:.

1 Incl. n/c

C O D Y

Special Service Division

SPSPX 383.6

(6-12-43)

12 June 1943)

ATTENTION: COLONEL P. M. SMITH.

### Ⅱ. The attitudes of the prisoners have been found to be more staunchly loyal to their own countries, and their cultures, traditions and professed war aims, than is generally believed by the American public. In particular, their attachments to the Fascist and Nazi parties appear to have been only slightly affected by their capture and subsequent confinement by the United Nations. This fact is believed to be the principal obstacle to the present program, as it is also the most compelling reason for it.

### Ⅲ. The earlier and longer military training of the majority of Axis prisoners of war is reflected in their ready acceptance of disciplines imposed by themselves, and their continuing loyalty to their former officers and political leaders. In observation of prisoners in the United States and Canada it was noted that in general the individuals who gave evidence of being the keenest professional soldiers were least under the influence of Axis political philosophies; but that the initiative tended to be taken by the more active Fascists and Nazis, in the organization of educational courses and similar activities. It is believed that there is a danger of continued Nazi and Fascist indoctrination, attended by an overawing of individuals who might be disposed to respond to a course of democratic indoctrination, under the existing system of volunteer instructors, even in courses on technical and other non-controversial subjects.

### Ⅳ. It was noted that the physical facilities for educational work among prisoners of war in the United States are meagre, particularly as concerns indoor space, in comparison with the Canadian. It is realized that several controlling considerations will make impossible the construction of new buildings, suitable for an intensive educational program, by ordinary means. It is believed, however, that consideration should be given to the advisability of making possible the indoor showing of motion picture films to prisoners of war, as a means of utilizing this particularly effective medium of instruction.

### Ⅴ. The personnel employed as interpreters in the American prisoner of war camps appear not to have been as competent

- 2 -

as those employed by the Canadian Army. As a result of this fact, there is a tendency to rely in a relatively large degree on the American mode in English-speaking prisoners.

g. Language courses, particularly courses in English, have been popular with both German and Italian prisoners. The largest numbers, however, have been attracted by technical and scientific subjects of a type applicable to civil-life jobs. Prisoners have revealed also a considerable degree of interest in the geography and industries of North America.

h. There is no president in American, Canadian or British experience for a planned effort at prisoner of war education above the level of general 'self-improvement' courses. It is reported that Russia has recently undertaken dissemination of prisoners of war on political subjects, but little evidence as to the methods or results of such work is available. It is believed that in view of the difficulty of obtaining other than theoretical guidance in the organization of such a project it will be advisable to avoid detailed planning for an extended program at this time until it is clear that the general form of such a longer-range project should be determined prior to starting the effective direction of its initial stages.

i. The circumstances of their confinement affectably put off prisoners of war from all direct contact with American life and institutions except for the infrequent visits of relatives or friends resident in this country. They are thus not in a position to add to their previous knowledge, or extend their existing information concerning the contributions to our life made by their countrymen.

j. The national and cultural traditions of the two principal language groups among the prisoners are sufficiently different, both formally, and as contained within the texts, to require different approaches to and measures for their further education. Both groups is sensitive to the two special traditions, routes differently to war news, and is responsive to different stimuli. While a broad general policy could be made to meet many problems common to both groups, it is believed that in detail of any plan, and in the assignment of personnel for such duties, it will be essential to recognize the importance of such differences.

k. The following recommendations are submitted in the light of the foregoing considerations, and after the analysis of other factors noted in the estimated reports on field trips and interviews

l. Authorization of an activity of the Army Service Corps designed to provide for the voluntary instruction of some prisoners of war in the facts of American history, the workings of a democracy, the contributions to America made by people of all national origins, and the war aims of the United States.

- 3 -

-4-

DPP/hmk

WAR DEPARTMENT
Headquarters, Army Service Forces
Washington

11 June 1943

MEMORANDUM FOR LT. COLONEL S. L. A. MARSHALL.

SUBJECT: Orientation of Enemy Prisoners.

1. The objective of the study which has been carried on under your direction is the orientation of prisoners of war by exposure to the facts of American history, the workings of a democracy, and the contribution made to America by peoples of all national origins. In the course of this study the record of similar activities by this country during the World War has been examined, conferences have been held in order to determine existing policy and practice in this country, Canada, and Russia, and prisoner of war camps in Canada and the United States have been visited.

a. Educational activities carried on among prisoners of war by this country and by Canada have been limited to courses conducted by the prisoners themselves, with the aid of textbooks and a nominal degree of supervision provided by the International Y.M.C.A. Plans are in process for correspondence courses, looking towards academic credit from universities and colleges; in the case of the United States, this plan has reference to American institutions, while the Canadians are considering the making of arrangements with German universities, through the agency of the protecting power. At a Canadian camp for officers, near Toronto, university faculty members have delivered lectures. Books for libraries have been donated by the Y.M.C.A. and the Red Cross. The Y.M.C.A. has also distributed motion picture films on informational, non-controversial subjects; at the present time difficulty is experienced at the American camps in the showing of such films, because of the lack of projectors and suitable theatres. The Y.M.C.A. is prepared, however, to contribute towards the purchase of projection equipment.

11 June 1943

Page 2

c. The attitudes of the prisoners have been found to be more staunchly loyal to their own countries, and their cultures, traditions and professed war aims, than is generally believed by the American public. In particular, their attachments to the Fascist and Nazi parties appear to have been only slightly affected by their capture and subsequent confinement by the United Nations. This fact is believed to be the principal obstacle to the present program, as it is also the most compelling reason for it.

d. The earlier and longer military training of the majority of Axis prisoners of war is reflected in their ready acceptance of disciplines imposed by themselves, and their continuing loyalty to their former officers and political leaders. In observation of prisoners in the United States and Canada it was noted that in general the individuals who gave evidence of being the keenest professional soldiers were least under the influence of Axis political philosophies; but that the initiative tended to be taken by the more active Fascists and Nazis, in the organization of educational courses and similar activities. It is believed that there is a danger of a continued Nazi and Fascist indoctrination, attended by an overawing of individuals who might be disposed to respond to a course of democratic indoctrination, under the existing system of volunteer instructors, even in courses on technical and other non-controversial subjects.

e. It was noted that the physical facilities for educational work among prisoners of war in the United States are meager, particularly as concerns indoor space, in comparison with the Canadian. It is realized that several controlling considerations will make impossible the construction of new buildings, suitable for an intensive educational program, by ordinary means. It is believed, however, that consideration should be given to the advisability of making possible the indoor showing of motion picture films to prisoners of war, as a means to utilizing this particularly effective medium of instruction.

f. The personnel employed as interpreters in the American prisoner of war camps appear not to have been as competent as those employed by the Canadian Army. As a result of this fact, there is a tendency to rely in a relatively large degree in the American camps on English-speaking prisoners.

11 June 1943

Page 3

h. There is no precedent in American, Canadian or British experience for a planned effort at prisoner of war education above the level of general "self-improvement" courses. It is reported that Russia has recently undertaken indoctrination of prisoners of war on political subjects, but little evidence as to the methods or success of such work is available. It is believed that in view of the difficulty of obtaining other than theoretical guidance in the organization of such a project it will be advisable to avoid detailed planning for an extended program at this time; but that the general form of such a long-range project should be determined now in order to assure the effective direction of its initial stages.

i. The circumstances of their confinement effectually cut off prisoners of war from all direct contact with American life and institutions except for the infrequent visits of relatives or friends resident in this country. They are thus not in a position to add to their previous knowledge, or correct their existing misinformation concerning the contributions to our life made by their own countrymen.

j. The national and cultural traditions of the two principal language groups among the prisoners are sufficiently different, both basically, and as continued within the camps, to require different approaches to and measures for their further education. Each group is sensitive to its own special traditions, reacts differently to war news, and is responsive to different stimuli. While a broad general policy could be made to meet many problems common to both groups, it is believed that in detail of any plan, and in the assignment of personnel for such duties, it will be essential to recognize the importance of such differences.

b. The allocation of such activity to the following divisions of the Army Service Forces:

11 June 1943

Page 4

c. It is recommended that the following personnel by assigned to
the duty of organizing and operating such a program;

(1) One officer to the Office of the Provost Marshal General,
for the development of an educational program for prisoners of war and liai-
sion with the Special Service Division, personnel of the respective Service
Commands engaged in prisoner of war activities, the International Y.M.C.A.
and such other agencies as may from time to time participate in educational
and related activities for prisoners of war.

(2) One officer to each of the Service Commands in which
prisoner of war camps are located (six in number at the present time) to
supervise educational activities within the camps and to report to the Of-
fice of the Provost Marshal General such developments and recommendations
as may bear upon the successful operation of the program.

d. It is recommended that the following considerations be includ-
ed in the Initial policy and planning for prisoner of war education:

(3) The distribution of weekly or more frequent news bulle-
tins in the languages of the prisoners of war, to include the full texts of
all military communiques and all other news materials of a kind calculated
to develop a receptive state of mind in the prisoners; with continuation
of subscriptions to English language newspapers, as a present.

(4) The construction or alteration by prisoner labor, of
simple buildings adapted to the holding of classes, if practicable, to in-
clude provision for the showing of motion pictures to at least one-fifth of
the prisoners at a camp simultaneously.

11 June 1943
Page 5

D. P. PAGE,
Lt. Colonel, G.S.C.,
Orientation and Publications Section,
Special Service Division.

May 25, 1943

MEMORANDUM FOR LIEUTENANT COLONEL S.L.A. MARSHALL

1. The objective of the study which has been carried on under your direction is the indoctrination of prisoners of war by exposure to the facts of American history, the workings of a democracy, and the contribution made to America by peoples of all national origins. In the course of this study the record of similar activities by this country during the World War has been examined, conferences have been held in order to determine existing policy and practice in this country, Canada, and Russia, and prisoner of war camps in Canada and the United States have been visited.

a. Educational and indoctrinal activities carried on among prisoners of war by this country and by Canada have been limited to courses conducted by the prisoners themselves, with the aid of textbooks and a nominal degree of supervision provided by the International Y.M.C.A. Plans are in process for correspondence courses, looking towards academic credit from universities and colleges; in the case of the United States, this plan has reference to American institutions, while the Canadians are considering the making of arrangements with German universities, through the agency of the protecting power. At a Canadian camp for officers, near Toronto, university faculty members have delivered lectures. Books for libraries have been donated by the Y.M.C.A. and the Red Cross. The Y.M.C.A. has also distributed motion picture films on informational, non-controversial subjects; at the present time difficulty is experienced at the American camps in the showing of such films, because of the lack of projectors and suitable theatres. The Y.M.C.A. is prepared, however, to contribute towards the purchase of projection equipment.

have been attracted by technical and scientific subjects, of a type applicable
in civil-life jobs. Prisoners have revealed also a considerable degree of in-
terest in the geography and industries of North America.

h. There is no precedent in American, Canadian, or British experience for a planned effort at prisoner of war indoctrination. It is reported that Russia has recently undertaken such indoctrination, but little evidence as to the methods or success of such work is available. It is believed that in view of the difficulty of obtaining other than theoretical guidance in the organization of such a project, it will be advisable to avoid detailed planning for an extended program at this time; but that the general form of such a long-range project should be determined now, in order to assure the effective direction of its initial stages.

i. The circumstances of their confinement effectually cut off prisoners of war from all direct contact with American life and institutions, except for the infrequent visits of relatives or friends resident in this country. They are thus not in a position to add to their previous knowledge, or correct their existing misinformation concerning the contributions to our life made by their own countrymen.

j. The national and cultural traditions of the two principal language groups among the prisoners are sufficiently different, both basically, and as continued within the camps, to require different approaches to and measures for their indoctrination. Each group is sensitive to its own special traditions, reacts differently to war news, and is responsive to different stimuli. While a broad general policy could be made to meet many problems common to both groups, it is believed that in the detail of any plan for their indoctrination, and in the assignment of personnel for such duties, it will be essential to recognize the importance of such differences.

3. The following recommendations are submitted in the light of the foregoing considerations, and after the analysis of other factors noted in the attached reports on field trips and interviews.

a. Authorization of a War Department activity designed to indoctrinate enemy prisoners of war in the facts of American history, the workings of a democracy, the contributions to America made by peoples of all national origins, and the war aims of the United Nations.

b. The appointment, as civilian aides to the Secretary of War, of a distinguished citizen of German origin, and one of Italian origin, to supervise a program for prisoner of war indoctrination. It is believed that while such indoctrination would be a principal duty of such appointees, they could appropriately deal with other matters of interest to the War Department, associated with the special interests of citizens and aliens of German and Italian origin; and that this would be of assistance to them in the work of prisoner indoctrination.

c. The assignment, as executive assistants for such civilian aides, of Army officers possessing special qualifications as to language and knowledge and knowledge of the country of origin of the two principal prisoner groups. It is believed that former commissioned service and command experience in either the German or the Italian Army would be highly desirable qualifications for these officers.

-3-

d. The establishment of a small executive unit, to consist of the above-mentioned civilian aides and executive officers, and other appropriate personnel, for each of the two main language groups. It is believed that additional military personnel, with qualifications similar to those proposed for the executive officers, could be advantageously assigned to the making of field trips, and liaison with camp commanders. It is suggested that an appropriate number of such additional officers would be in the ratio of one per five thousand prisoners.

e. The development and operation by such executive units of programs for the indoctrination of prisoners of war, subject to the concurrence of the Provost Marshal General in the following matters:

(1) Approval of subjects, contents, and schedules for courses and lectures.

(2) Approval of textbooks and other materials to be supplied to prisoners of war.

(3) Approval of the visits of indoctrination personnel to camps, and the conditions under which they would meet with prisoners of war.

f. The inclusion in planning for indoctrination programs of the following principles:

(1) Avoidance of duplication of activities and personnel with existing War Department agencies.

(2) The special preparation of texts and other necessary materials only in cases where these are not available from existing sources; and the maximum effective use of materials available from the Special Service Division of the War Department, the Office of War Information, the Office of Strategic Services, and similar agencies, public and private, including particularly educational institutions.

(3) Co-operation with the International Y.M.C.A., the International Red Cross, and other appropriate agencies; and the allocation to such agencies exclusively of such phases of the whole program as may be feasible.

(h) The employment of prisoners of war as instructors, translators, and for other activities, whenever possible.

i. The early consideration, in the planning of indoctrination programs, of the following matters:

(3) The distribution of weekly news bulletins in the languages of the prisoners of war, to include the full texts of all military communiques; with

-4-

(h) The construction or alteration by prisoner labor, of simple buildings adapted to the holding of classes; if practicable, to include provision for the showing of motion pictures to at least one-fifth of the prisoners at a camp simultaneously.

h. It is recommended that the principal reliance in such a program be placed upon the example and observation, through frequent contacts, of superior types of American citizenship drawn from the same national origins as the prisoners themselves; that the program be given at all points a positive and constructive direction, not stressing the errors of Nazi and Fascist ideas, but developing such comparison with democracy rather by means of suggestion and indirection. It is believed that extreme care should be taken in the choice of any civilian lecturer who may be employed, and that in general the use of refugee speakers should be questioned. It is believed that the strongest appeal to prisoners of war will be as soldiers, by soldiers; and that the men chosen for the work of inducting them should be immediately recognizable as soldiers, men who know their languages, their homes, their emotions - and who, knowing America also, have chosen this country and this way of life.

Prisoner of War Camps in the United States

A field trip to three prisoner of war camps was made by an officer on duty with the Special Service Division, during the week April 29 - May 5. The camps visited were at Fort Leonard Wood and Camp Clark, both in Missouri, where Italian prisoners are confined; and Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, which has a stockade for German prisoners.

Each of these consists of a stockade enclosure of double barbed wire fences, with guard towers covering a narrow alley between the fences. The stockades are subdivided into compounds (three, in each of the camps visited) containing hut shelters, mess halls, latrines and other installations to provide for one thousand prisoners. Prisoners are free to circulate within their respective compounds, but can pass from one enclosure to another only through guarded gates. Adjoining recreational areas, enclosed within single barbed wire fences, are so arranged that access to them may be given prisoners within any one or more of the separate compounds.

The guards and administrative personnel are housed outside of the stockades, in nearby barracks and offices. Military personnel on duty at the Fort Leonard Wood stockade, representative of the other two camps also, consist of 506 officers and men. This detachment includes three Military Police Escort companies, 21 additional officers, and 3 attached officers. The necessary minimum strength of the detachment is determined by the physical size of the enclosure and the necessary minimum personnel for administrative functions, rather than by the number of prisoners. It was stated by officers on duty that a considerable increase in the number of prisoners, up to the capacity of the stockades, would require the addition of a relatively small number of military personnel.

The practice is to rotate the guard companies, one being on actual guard, manning the towers and gates, while another is held on alert, and the third

2.

is engaged in tactical and other training exercises. The company on alert provides guard details which accompany working parties of prisoners during the daylight hours. Stockade commanders commented on the fact that large numbers of limited service personnel have been detailed for duty in the guard companies, and that the effective military strengths are therefore considerably smaller than the figures would indicate.

At Leonard Wood and Chaffee the stockades are operated as adjuncts to larger military camps, and come under the control of the camp commanders, who in turn report to their respective Service Commands. Camp Clark, which is a former Missouri National Guard post, consists of the prisoner of war stockade, plus the usual installations necessary for a separate post; at the other two camps, these are provided by the station complements. The commanding officer at Camp Clark has accordingly a dual function, as both camp and stockade commander, and reports directly to the Service Command.

For control and administrative purposes the prisoners of war are organized into internee companies, of a basic strength of 250 men. An officer is detailed as commander of each company, and is assisted by a first sergeant, a mess and supply sergeant, a clerk, as an interpreter (not definitely assigned to the internee company) and a cook who supervises the preparation of food by prisoners. All routine work within the stockades is performed by prisoners. The commanders of the internee companies have orderly rooms within the stockades, and are on duty there during the day. None of the personnel inside of the stockades are armed. At Fort Leonard Wood a stockade officer is on duty inside of the outer enclosure, and has charge of personnel and other records of the prisoners, as well as general supervision over the internee companies; at the other two camps the internee company commanders maintain their own records, and report directly to the stockade commander or his executive and prison officer.

3.

At Fort Leonard Wood the present total of 662 Italian enlisted prisoners is organized into 4 companies, which occupy all three compounds. One compound has been reserved for non-commissioned officers, of whom there are 332, including 7 "maresciallos", who correspond to warrant officers. Another compound is occupied by prisoners with whom disciplinary trouble has either been experienced or anticipated on the basis of their records in the Italian Army and the British prisoner of war camps where they were formerly confined. The commanding officer stated, however, that the occupants of this compound had in fact been less troublesome than the other prisoners, and were more amenable to regulations.

Several officers on duty at Fort Leonard Wood stated that in their opinion the British military authorities had selected for transfer to this country individuals who had been particularly troublesome in the English camps. A number of these prisoners had already been confined by the Italian authorities, and were in Italian military prisons when captured by the British. Others were described by the medical officer on duty as being mental and neurotic cases, a condition which he attributed in part to their confinement for upwards of two years. It has been necessary to transfer several of the latter group to special words in the station hospital.

The position of the "maresciallos" has raised special problems. They appear to have a considerable degree of military authority over the non-commissioned officers, and have been active in discouraging the voluntary participation of the non-coms in various work projects. They receive pay fixed at the rate of $20 per month, and, unlike the non-commissioned officers, would not be entitled to additional pay (at the standard rate of 80¢ per day) for voluntary participation in the work which is required of the private soldiers. They are thus indifferent to the financial appeal of such work for the non-coms, many of whom regularly volunteer for work projects.

4.

In the opinion of the stockade commander, the "maresciallos" are a definitely disturbing element, and except for their influence on the other prisoners he believes that many more of the non-coms would have been helpful in administrative routine than has been the case. It is believed that such hostility as has been evidenced is based in part upon a deliberate desire by the prisoners to make the routine of camp administration as difficult as possible, and to occupy a maximum number of gurads in control duties; and also upon the mistaken idea that prisoners will be moved from camp to camp, as has been the practice of the British in case of internal difficulties of a disciplinary and administrative nature.

Continuing efforts have been made to provide useful work for as many prisoners as possible. Approximately 340 now work regularly, in addition to a small number who are employed at various duties within the compounds. Their pay is deposited to the credit of individual prisoners, who may withdraw (in the form of canteen coupons) one half of each month's credit up to a maximum of $10 per month. All prisoners, whether working or not, are given a daily allowance of 10¢ for the purchase of toilet articles and other essentials from the stockade canteens. Provision has also been made for the procurement of approved articles not on sale through the canteens, when specially ordered through the exchange officer.

The work so far provided has been entirely on the military reservation, and is mainly of a simple, manual labor type. However, the special skills of painters, masons, and other workers have been employed. Prisoners are also used to some extent in such projects as the moving and removal of buildings, but care has been taken to avoid the type of construction work which is objected to by local labor unions.

Within the stockades, prisoners have worked industriously and with apparent enthusiasm on the improvement of their quarters, the decoration of their

5.

chapels, and the building of various recreational and sports installations. Because of the fact that all three stockades are in use, by a much smaller number of men than they could accommodate, it has been found possible to provide ample space for recreation without making use of the large general recreation area, which has not been improved.

Some athletic equipment has been provided by the War Department, and other equipment has been donated by the YMCA, the Catholic Diocese, and similar organizations. The prisoners are interested in such sports as soccer and volleyball, and the Italian game of "Bocci" which is somewhat similar to the English game of bowls. They have also shown some interest in ping pong and the common table games. The majority give the impression of being in sound physical condition, browned by their regular outdoor work, and with a zest for fairly active sports and exercise. In the opinion of the stockade officers their physical condition has improved greatly since their arrival four month ago.

Each internee company has a recognized spokesman, and the stockade as a whole is represented by one of the senior "maresciallos," who has a good working knowledge of English. A considerable number of the prisoners speak fair English, and it has not been found necessary to use the official interpreters for many routine matters. The interpreters, enlisted men of Italian extraction, appear not to be well qualified for their work, and difficulty has been found in handling through them matters of any complexity. The medical officer assigned to the stockade is of Italian-American origin, and has been used from time to time by the stockade commander as a special interpreter.

The spokesmen regularly submit lengthy lists of grievances, complaints, and requests. These are taken up by the stockade commander, who endeavors to find practical solutions. At the time of this visit, a special problem still awaited settlement, as a result of a misunderstanding over the distribution of profits from the centeen. During a recent visit by a member of the Swiss Legion, the statement was made by him to the prisoners that a profit balance of approximately $900 had accumulated, and awaited distribution. Due to the fact that standing

6.

policy requires the offsetting of initial debits for stock from operating profits, this balance, in the belief of the stockade commander, was not in fact available for distribution, and he has so answered inquiries from the prisoner spokesmen. The somewhat complicated circumstances appear not to be fully understood by the prisoners, and at the time of the visit by this officer the matter was still under lively discussion by them. Inquiries made at the other two camps visited as to the general handling of canteen profits indicated that, although the question had not come up, it may be a possible source of misunderstanding in the future. It was noted that, under the system now in effect, the stock on hand in the prisoners' canteens will eventually have been purchased outright from previously accumulated profits; and that any stock on hand at the time the prisoners are finally transferred will, in moral effect, belong to them. Any equitable distribution at that time would obviously involve difficult problems. It is believed that this matter is deserving of special study, as one on which possible misunderstanding between our government and the Swiss Legation might be encountered. Although the amounts involved are not likely to be considerable, in this instance at least the prisoners had not been satisfied as to the regularity of the proceeding by which profits are accounted for, and it is to be expected that they will continue to raise similar questions when visited by representatives of neutral nations and welfare organizations.

On several other matters, no single one of which is believed to be of importance, the impression was gained that the attitude of the prisoners was somewhat childish and petulant. In the ordinary routine they are affected, from time to time, by the necessary procedures and regulations of an Army post, with which, however, they have no direct contact, except through the sometimes halting efforts of the interpreters. A typical instance is the following: the prisoners in one compound had planned to devote their Saturday afternoon to the completion of an area for field sports, in which

7

a small amount of sand was to be used. The necessary truck, work party, and guards were available, but it developed that sand could not be taken from the camp pit in the absence of the Engineer personnel. When this was reported to the compound spokesman, and by him to the other prisoners, it became the immediate subject of excited and cynical comment among them, and was followed by a general depression of their spirit. While it was obvious that a variety of other activities were open to them, they appeared to regard this relatively trivial disappointment as having effectively spoiled their recreation period.

Another source of dissatisfaction was the condemnation by the camp fire
marshall of an improvised theatre which had been constructed in a vacant bar-
racks hut. This had been fitted up in a very elaborate way, with the use of
scrap materials, including electric wiring which had been declared unsafe.
Prior to its condemnation, several plays had been produced, and were described
by officers attending them as of a surprisingly high character. It is believed
that with the replacement by the Engineers of the faulty wiring, this project
will prove to be of great morale value, and will occupy a great many of the
internees. In general, their morale appeared to be fairly high, and the majority
were occupied with some voluntary activity, showing considerable ingenuity in
the use of such tools and materials as were at hand.

In addition to the athletic equipment, other recreational equipment was
available, including a small number of band instruments, pianos, phonographs,
and long-wave radios. Musical projects had been popular, and an active choir
of 60 voices had been organized. Violins and guitars had been requested by
the prisoners, but had been found to be beyond their means if purchased indivi-
dually from canteen credits, and none had been procured from the welfare agen-
cies which had donated the other musical instruments.

8

A program for educational courses, using volunteer prisoner-instructors, had been instituted. The formal courses were limited to language instruction, as follows:

|             | No. of students | Hours per week | Textbooks on hand |
|-------------|-----------------|---------------|-----------------|
| English     | 52              | 6             | 7                |
| German      | 20              | 12            | 1                |
| Italian     | 46              | 9             | 2                |

The Italian courses were for illiterate or backward students principally, although informal readings of serious literature had been arranged for others. There were also a small number of non-commissioned officers receiving instruction in first aid and hospital practice from the surgeon, and several prisoners who were studying English without attending the classes. Seventeen percent of the prisoners were attending one or more courses.

The library facilities were scanty, with only 39 non-fiction volumes in Italian, and an average of one book per 13 prisoners. Language instruction was handicapped by a lack of texts, requiring a great deal of blackboard work by the instructors, and little opportunity for separate study by the prisoners.

The only other reading matter available is English-language newspapers; originally several local newspapers, as well as the New York "Times", were provided, but the latter has proved to be so much the most popular that a larger number of copies has been ordered, and the others dropped. The Italian military communiques are translated back into Italian, and read by the prisoners generally. It was reported that the prisoners were originally very skeptical of the accuracy of American newspaper reports of military news, but that they had been favorably impressed by the handling of the news, of the early American reverses

9

in Africa, and were now disposed to accept other American news as substantially correct. A number of the prisoners who have not undertaken the study of spoken English are able to read ordinary news dispatches, and the copies of the "Times" are generally circulated.

Little information as to the present political sentiment of this group of prisoners was available. It is believed, however, that the majority are still staunchly Fascist in their sympathies, and there is no indication that their original attitudes in this regard have undergone important change during their two years of confinement in prison camps. Former members of the Fascist military units are differentiated from the "King's men" by their practice of rendering the stiff-armed, Fascist salute; the latter give the conventional military salute. The non-commissioned officers have retained a high degree of authority and influence over their fellow-prisoners; this, however, does not apply in the case of the lowest grade of corporal, which corresponds in a general way to our privates first class.

Representatives of the International YMCA have visited Fort Leonard Wood from time to time, and have endeavored to meet some of the expressed needs of the prisoners. Materials which have been recently promised include a motion picture projector, half of the cost of which is to be met from canteen profits; and a supply of books in Italian, English, French, and German. It is believed that the more general study of English will be encouraged by the expected provision of suitable text books.

10

At Camp Clark there were at the time of this visit 497 Italian enlisted prisoners, organized into two internee companies, and quartered in one of the three available compounds. A small number of French, Argentine, and Brazilian prisoners who were captured with the Italian prisoners were quartered in another compound, to assure their protection from the Italian prisoners, who had given some evidence of hostility towards them. All of these prisoners were reported to have come from the British prisoner of War Camp No. 17, which has been used to confine troublesome individuals. Approximately one-half are non-commissioned officers, including 30 "maresciallos".

At Camp Clark the non-commissioned officers are distributed in the internee companies, and an important use is made of them in the routine administration of the camp. An effort has been made to find some form of special assignment for each of the "maresciallos," all of whom have posts of some authority, and all of whom are regarded by the camp commander as definitely helpful in meeting the problems of the camp.

Since Clark is a small post, without tactical units other than the guard detail, there is not a demand for prison labor. Accordingly a post garden project has been instituted, and occupies a good proportion of the prisoners' time. The prisoners are allowed to maintain their own gardens within the compound, and also in a portion of the recreation area; they are not paid for this work, but the produce is used in their messes. They are also allowed to keep rabbits and chickens in the compound, and a number of small pens for this purpose were noted.

The general conditions of life within the compound were similar to those noted at Fort Leonard Wood. Facilities for recreation were similar, and were in general use. Prisoners had been permitted to engage in the same type of hobbies; the art work done by them appeared to be somewhat more ambitious, but there was less interest in dramatic production.

11

Prisoners had been asked to list the subjects of educational courses in which they were interested, and about 140 were taking one or more of the courses which had been organized. Twenty-five were studying English. There were also popular courses on mechanical subjects, including internal-combustion motors; a number of the prisoners at Clark had come from the Italian air service, or had served on submarines, and their interests reflected the technical training which they had received during their service.

Library facilities were plenty, consisting of approximately 150 books, of which half were in English, half in Italian. Prisoners have access to the New York "Times" and the Philadelphia "Enquirer," and also receive copies of an Italian-language religious magazine. There is no chaplain on the post, but services are conducted in Latin by a visiting priest, who has a slight knowledge of Italian.

At Camp Chaffee there were at the time of this visit 772 enlisted German prisoners; an additional 196 arrived during the visit, and more were expected during the following week. Those already in the camp were confined in one of the three compounds, and the newcomers were to be placed in another. It was expected that some reorganization of the internee companies would follow; there were at that time six companies, with the non-commissioned officers distributed among them, and charged with certain administrative duties.

The organization of the guard and administrative elements was similar to that noted above for Fort Leonard Wood, except that there was no stockade officer, the commanding officers of the internee companies reporting directly to the camp commander, through his executive. A newly-assigned commanding officer reported to take over command of the camp during this visit.

12

The internal organization and the routine life of the camp were similar to those noted at the Italian camps visited. The physical condition of the prisoners, and their morale, appeared to be higher than those of the Italian prisoners visited, even after making allowance for the differing physical types and national points of view. This officer received an impression of a more successful adjustment to the routine of prison camp life, particularly in relation to disciplinary control, than was evidenced by the Italians; this may be accounted for, in part, by the relatively short duration of the confinement of these particular prisoners, and also the fact that there was less evidence of previous screening by the British, which would suggest the presence of more normal and representative individuals than in the case of the Italians.

Determined but unsuccessful efforts at escape had been discovered, and in consequence all tools, including such small items as table knives, had been taken away from the prisoners. They were carrying on various wood-carving projects, however, making use of razor blades; and some highly creditable work had resulted.

The division between the strongly Nazi factions, and other elements, was more clearly noted than in the case of the Italian prisoners' attitude towards Fascism. Members of all groups, however, rendered the conventional Nazi salute when uncovered, and the regular military salute when covered. A leading figure in the life of the stockade is a non-commissioned officer, holding the German rank of Feldwebel, or just sergeant, who is reputed to be an especially active Nazi. He had taken an important part in organizing the ambitious course of studies, and outline of which is appended below.

In a discussion with this prisoner on the subject of these courses, he

13

stressed the lack of facilities, particularly of space, and the need for such supplies as blackboards, notebooks, and so forth. It was noted that the space available was in fact limited to a single small building, of the type used as shelter. Due to the expected increases in the number of prisoners at this camp, it appeared unlikely that any considerable amount of extra space could be made available. In discussion with officers on duty at the camp the question was raised as to whether use could be made of the mess halls; objectives to such use, because of the necessity for continuing work in them for some time after the serving of meals, were raised. It is believed, however, that this matter should be taken under consideration, since it appears to be the only practicable solution of a genuine difficulty in the way of continued educational work unless new construction is undertaken. In this connection, it was noted that the full projected schedule, if carried out, would require the holding of as many as twenty-five courses simultaneously.

Library facilities were somewhat more extensive than in the case of the Italian camps, consisting of several hundred books on a variety of subjects. Recreational equipment, musical instruments, and so forth, were available in approximately the same relative quantities. Musical and dramatic projects had been organized, and were described by the officers on duty as being of a high quality.

Various groups of prisoners had planned in remarkable detail various projects which they hoped to be able to carry out. One of these was the construction of a swimming pool in the recreational area, for which a supply of cement would be necessary. Another project was the proposed construction of a zoo to house various small pets, such as rabbits, field mice, snakes, and birds which had been caught by the prisoners, and were kept in their barracks.

The German prisoners had apparently been more forthright in stating

14

their desires and grievances than the Italians, and showed in many respects
a greater capacity for planning and the organization of their work. The
attitude of the American military personnel, in dealing with them, appeared
to be correspondingly more firm. This officer gained the impression that
both prisoners and guards had reached a clearer understanding as to their
military relationships, with, at the same time, a considerably smaller degree
of sympathy and mutual regard, than was true of the Italian camps.

German non-commissioned officers had refused to transmit orders given
them by guards on duty with working parties, on the argument that by so doing,
under the compulsion of armed soldiers, they would be abusing their authority
over the men under them. They had similarly refused to obey the direct
orders of civilian personnel employed by Army Engineers. This attitude was
felt by the officers in charge to be justified. The procedure adopted and
now in effect is to explain to the German non-commissioned officers the nature
of the work to be done, the tools to be used, and so forth. They then take
charge of their work parties, and complete the tasks assigned. It was reported
that the standard of work under this system was very high, and that the German
non-commissioned officers, in response to this fuller recognition of their
status and authority, were operating the various work projects in a most
efficient manner.

A recognized spokesman represents each of the internee companies, and
one spokesman represents in a general way the whole stockade. These are
normally the senior men; the non-commissioned officer referred to above, as
the principal organizer of the educational program, is in a somewhat special
position, due apparently to his personal qualities as an executive. None of
the non-commissioned officers senior to him has as yet shown a comparable
initiative and energy in stimulating prisoner activities. It is evident, how-
ever, that his authority with the other men is by no means clearly fixed, and

15

his activities appear to be resented by some of the other non-commissioned
officers, notably those whose interests are typically military rather than
political. It is believed that his status, which rests now on his own
assertiveness, will be watched closely by the other prisoners as a guide to
the attitude of the camp officials towards the authority and recognition of
German military rank. Several inquiries have been made by them as to whether
he is recognized as a special spokesman; which, in a strictly official sense,
he is not.

It is believed that use can be made of the special abilities and
capacities of such men by giving them the status of chairmen of committees
on projects, quite distinct from the authority which may be associated with
their military rank. It is apparent, on the other hand, that when acting in
such a capacity any assertion of authority over others senior to them would
be resented by the latter, and might have the effect of breaking down a
method of administrative and disciplinary control which seems now to function
satisfactorily.

PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS IN CANADA

On May 10, 1943, an officer on duty with the Special Service Division and a civilian consultant to the Secretary of War visited Ottawa, Ontario, for the purpose of reporting on Canadian practice and policy in the handling of prisoners of war, with special reference to educational programs and methods of indoctrination. After reporting to the Military Attache at the United States Legation, these two representatives of the War Department were directed to the office of the Adjutant General of the Canadian Army, who has general charge of all internment operations; and to the Directorate of Prisoners of War, of which Colonel H. N. Streight is Director.

Colonel Streight, and other officers of his organization, gave very full information on the program which is now in operation, and which is the outgrowth of a system established soon after Canada's entrance into the war, at which time a considerable number of civilian aliens were interned. There are in Canada at the present time approximately 22,000 class I prisoners of war, of whom less than 500 are Italians, and the balance Germans. Other classifications of interned aliens include merchant seamen, civilian enemy aliens, and a considerable number of interned refugees, all of whom come under the charge of the Department of National Defence.

The first camps established were located mainly in the eastern portions of Canada, and were designed to accommodate from a few hundred to 1,200 internees. As a result of a recent change in policy, two large camps have been built in the Province of Alberta, designed to hold from 10,000 to 13,000 each. One of these camps, near the city of Lethbridge, has at the present time slightly more than 13,000, but this number will be reduced to 12,000 by the transfer of prisoners to a newer, similar camp near Medicine Hat. This transfer is now in process; and only arrived prisoners are being taken directly to Medicine Hat. Both of these

large camps are intended for enlisted prisoners only, officially referred to in Canadian military communications as "other ranks". Interned officers will for the present remain in the smaller camps first set up.

Colonel Straight stated that little had been undertaken in the way of educational programs, beyond the encouragement of correspondence courses now sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan, and voluntary courses conducted by prisoners of war, with the aid of the International Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross.

He indicated that the functions of these two groups, and their relationship with the military authorities and protecting powers, were generally similar to those developed in this country. In addition, two professors of the University of Toronto have conducted lectures in an officers' camp near the city of Toronto.

There was no indication of any attempt at formal indoctrination of prisoners of war by Canada.

It was explained that the purpose behind the change to larger camps was a desire to operate more economically, particularly with reference to guard and administrative personnel. The new camps had been located in areas where natural gas for heating and cooking was abundant and cheap; this was apparently the chief consideration in the selection of the sites. It was reported that the larger camps had made possible a reduction of Canadian personnel from the ratio of one in five to one in twelve.

Colonel Straight suggested that visits to the two large camps in Alberta would be desirable, in order to observe at first hand the conduct of internment operations in accordance with present Canadian policy. As a prisoner of war train was expected to pass near Ottawa shortly, on a trip with German prisoners from a United States Port to Medicine Hat, advantage was taken of this opportunity to observe and converse with newly-arrived prisoners. Arrangements were accordingly made for the American officer to accompany this shipment of prisoners; and at the same time, for the Special Consultant to the Secretary of War to visit

-3-

two camps near Toronto, and to interview the members of the University of Toronto faculty who had already delivered lectures to German officers.

This train shipment of prisoners included 350 German enlisted men who had recently arrived in the United States, and 100 who were being transferred from a smaller camp at Yarnham, Quebec. They were under the guard of 12 Canadian Officers and 155 enlisted men, detailed from the Canadian Provost Corps and the Veterans' Guard of Canada. This detail included a medical officer and an officer interpreter. The train was composed of 17 cars, including 1 baggage car and 1 caboose (changed at railroad division points) for the train crew. The prisoners of war were transported in 9 colonists' cars, 50 men to a car, making use of the lower berths only; hand luggage was carried in the upper berths, which were required to be closed. Canadian enlisted personnel were carried in 3 escort cars of the same type: 1 at the head of the train, following the baggage car; 1 following the first five PW cars, and the third separating the service section (a commissary car and a tourist car for civilian personnel) from the rear section of 4 PW cars. One standard sleeping car for officer personnel immediately followed the rear PW car.

At all times en route a Canadian non-commissioned officer and two privates policed each PW car; one man at either end, and 1 patrolling the interior. These were all unarmed guards, members of the Provost Corps. In each vestibule of every PW car there was stationed an enlisted member of the Veterans Guard, armed with a sub-machine gun. These armed guards dismounted at every stop, 9 on either side of the train, and acted as a light screen guard until the train started in motion. In addition, four enlisted men equipped with powerful battery-operated portable searchlights dismounted near the center of the train at each stop after dark, 2 on either side, directed these lights along the length of the train.

An hourly count of the prisoners was made for the entire train by a non-commissioned officer; special counts were made after each stop and at the time of

changing Provisional Officers. A medical inspection was made each day by the medical officer attached and by the commanding officer of the train. The officer interpreter spent a considerable amount of time with the prisoners, and completed the filling in of a brief questionnaire and the preparation of a nominal roll during the trip.

A prisoner was appointed as the leader for each PM car, and noted as the representative of the other prisoners in reports to the commanding officer; he also detailed members of the fatigue parties which procured meals from the commissary car, and policed the coaches. The car leaders were provided with copies in German of a sheet of "Preliminary Instructions for Prisoners of War", which they were required to read aloud, and enforce. A translation of these instructions follows:

1. All orders by military authorities must be obeyed immediately without question or hesitation.

2. A coach leader (senior) on each car will be appointed, and he will be held responsible for the conduct of its occupants and its general cleanliness, messing, and so forth. When necessary, an interpreter able to speak English will be assigned to him.

3. The upper berths will be used only for storing baggage and clothing, and will be kept closed; they will be opened only upon permission from the guard.

4. Nothing will be hung or placed near the windows. Blinds must remain fully raised at all times. Inside windows will not be raised higher than 4 inches.

5. Only one prisoner of war may leave his place at one time and permission of the guard must be obtained before leaving. Exception may be made by permission of the guard for washing and lavatory purposes.

6. The coach leader will detail a fatigue party of six prisoners of war, who will bring the rations from the commissary car. A detail of three prisoners of war will distribute them. These rations must be apportioned evenly, as no

-5-

further supply will be issued for that meal. A fatigue detail of prisoners of war will wash the dishes after each meal.

7. Floors, lavatories and wash basins will be washed daily, or more often if necessary, with disinfecting water.

8. Néveille will be at 6 AM, retreat at 10 PM. After retreat all prisoners of war will lie down and remain in that position whether asleep or not. Faces will remain uncovered at all times.

9. The medical officer will make daily visits, between which requests for medical attention will be made to the guard.

10. Prisoners will not leave their places during stops, and noise or singing will not be permitted.

11. Prisoners are warned that the treatment they receive will depend on their own conduct. Any acts of disrespect or insubordination will be dealt with severely.

12. The foregoing instructions will be strictly adhered to.

The trip was completed without incident other than the occurrence of what were diagnosed as slight physical disturbances. It was noted that the prisoners appeared to be listless and fatigued, which might be easily accounted for by a long sea voyage and train travel, both under somewhat crowded conditions. However, they performed police and other duties in an efficient manner, and the cars were uniformly clean and orderly. Although the prisoners had been thoroughly searched before boarding the train, several knives were discovered by the guards, and taken from them.

The prisoners had very little reading matter with them, although a number were noted studying language and other textbooks. Others played chess with boards and pieces cut from paper, and other improvised games. The majority sat quietly, and there appeared to be a remarkable absence of conversation among them. They did, however, show a considerable degree of interest in the countryside,

particularly during the first half of the journey.

The arrival at Medicine Hat had been timed for approximately six in the morning of the third day, but was delayed to permit the unloading of another shipment of prisoners transferred from Lethbridge. Upon arrival at approximately eight, the train was set at a siding adjacent to the camp by an armed screen guard, which covered the detraining. Prisoners were released from one coach at a time, checked by the receiving officer and the train commandant, and redelivered for. They were then marched, under guard, into the stockade, carrying with them such hand baggage as had been stored in the upper barths of the bars. Other baggage which had been carried in the baggage car was taken off by motor trucks.

The prisoners passed through a service shed, where they were stripped for medical examination, and their clothing searched by details of enlisted men. This search produced a number of contraband articles, including knives, which had been successfully concealed during prior searches. The commanding officer of the camp stated that he had found that prisoners took a thorough medical examination as a matter of course, but would recent being stripped for the sole purpose of searching. This examination and searching proceeded very rapidly, and within an hour after arrival all prisoners had been cleared and conducted to their barrooms.

The prisoners of war camp at Medicine Hat consists of a single large enclosure, square, and approximately a half-mile on a side. There is a double fence of barbed wire, with a "cat-walk" between, sufficiently wide to permit the passage of a light truck which is used by the guard detail. The general arrangement of the fences and the guard towers, is similar to that noted at the American camp. The Canadian military authorities, however, have found it advisable to place the guard towers well outside the fences, instead of straddling them, in order to avoid the ricochet of machine gun bullets from one tower into

another. An interior warning wire is placed 45 feet from the inner fence.

Prisoners are housed in 36 sets of barracks, arranged in blocks of six. Each group has a separate mess hall and kitchen, equipped with natural gas cooking ranges, and electric refrigeration. The barracks buildings are of substantial wooden frame construction, two storys high, insulated and shingled, and with flat composition roofs. All heating is by humidified hot air from natural gas burners. The buildings are of a simple but attractive functional design, comparing favorably with permanent wooden construction at American Army posts, and markedly superior to our temporary buildings.

Each barracks building holds 336 men, who are provided with two-tier wooden bunks, steel springs, and mattresses. Small shelves and storage space are allotted each man. The upper floors are divided into 8 "sections", without partitions other than the wooden uprights which support the roof. The lower floor has six sections, the remaining space being occupied by lavatories and latrines.

Leaders are appointed for each section, for each hut, for each block of six huts, for each group of two blocks, and for the camp as a whole. Each leader acts as a spokesman for the men under his supervision, and is responsible for the policing and service of the area under his jurisdiction. These leaders report to and deal through the other leaders immediately senior to them in all ordinary matters; the authority of each rank of leader is such that the majority of routine matters are adjusted before reaching the camp leader, who is the principal and ordinarily the sole liaison with the camp commandant.

Each block of six barracks has a group of three service buildings, consisting of a work shop, a storage building for baggage, and a school building divided into three lecture and recitation rooms. There are thus eighteen school rooms available for the courses conducted by prisoners of war in the whole camp. In addition there are two large recreation halls for the camp, measuring 146 by 146 feet. These are equipped with stages, motion picture projectors and screens,

-8-

offices, dressing rooms, and so forth. Each auditorium consists of a room approximately 125 feet square, with a cement floor laid directly on the ground. The roofs are supported by heavy timbered trusses, without supporting columns. The normal seating capacity, making use of unbacked benches, is approximately 3,500. It was reported, however, that on occasion as many as 6,000 had attended special lectures. At the time of the visit to the Lethbridge camp a class of 1,200 men was attending a lecture on applied mechanics in one of the halls; this group was comfortably seated in approximately one-quarter of the available space.

Library facilities were housed in one of the school rooms. The total collection amounted to approximately 6,000 general works, mostly in German, and 4,000 text books. Paper-bound texts for correspondence courses, recently provided by the German Army through the Swiss Council, were noted. It was reported that a further shipment of 2,000 such texts was expected shortly. The library was operated by prisoner personnel, and appeared to be widely used. An efficient bindery for repairing books had been organized.

Educational courses attended on a voluntary basis, were popular, and appeared to be well organized. The schedule now in effect at Lethbridge is appended to this report; it will be noted that subjects cover a wide range, with emphasis on practical courses. Language instruction, particularly in English, is popular. It was noted that the canteen (identical in operation to those at American camps) carried fairly large stocks of German-English dictionaries, and other reading matter.

The activities of prisoners appeared to be exceptionally well organized. Due to the fact that there is little opportunity for work, the interests of the prisoners center entirely about their sports and the educational courses, and the musical and dramatic activities which are encouraged by camp authorities.

There is no organization of prisoners into companies, as at American camps. They are free to move at will within the entire enclosure, during the hours from reveille to retreat. For administrative purposes use is made of the barracks

-8-

assignment and leader system described above.

A distinctive feature of the Canadian system of control is the use of "scouts". These are specially selected and trained members of the guard companies, who are relieved of other duties, and organized into a unit of 180 men and four officers. A detail of one-third of this unit is on duty constantly, within the prisoner stockade. They move through the area, keeping watch over the prisoners, inspecting barracks, and enforcing camp regulations generally. A special detail known as the "gophers" searches for evidence of attempts at escape, probing for tunnels with steel rods, inspecting the fence and so forth.

The scouts are the only camp personnel with whom the prisoners are in daily contact, except at the time of daily inspection of quarters and roll-call, when the second-in-command, the principal scout officer, and the medical officer visit the stockade. The scouts maintain the disciplinary center, which is within the stockade, and consists of a block of 126 cells, each 7 by 8 feet. The scouts are responsible for all matters within the stockade, for the guarding of the inner gates, and the entrance and security of all visitors.

Hospital, medical, and dental facilities are modern and well equipped. A considerable use is made of German personnel in the dental clinic for operative as well as orderly work. German medical personnel are also used for simple treatments, first aid, and so forth.

The camps at Medicine Hat and Lethbridge are identical in layout and facilities, and in all major points of operation and administration. The plans, which reflect the now considerable experience of Canadian authorities in this field, are believed to be admirable in all respects except for the difficulty of finding suitable work for such large numbers of prisoners within a reasonable distance of the camps. The use of prisoners of war for necessary labor in agriculture, road building, and similar projects has been urged for some time, but has not yet been undertaken on a large scale. At the present time such work is largely restricted to farm labor within or adjacent to the camps, and is insufficient to occupy more

-10-

than a small proportion of the prisoners. This situation is affected in some degree by the fact that prisoners of war in Canada are paid 20¢ per day for labor, as against the 80¢ rate paid in the United States. This is offset, somewhat, however, from the point of view of the individual prisoner, by the payment of 36.60 per month by his own government, unlike the arrangement prevailing in the United States, where the non-working enlisted prisoner receives only the 10¢ per day allowance made by this country.

In the guarding and administrative personnel overhead, the Canadian system has achieved one of its objectives, which is the reduction of the ratio of military personnel to prisoners. The normal guard detail for these camps of 12,000 consists of three companies of Veterans' Guards, which number 250 each. Other personnel will bring the total to a maximum of 1,200, of whom approximately 200 are detailed from the Military District (which corresponds in general to our Service Command).

The chain of command are similar to those in effect in the United States, the camp commander being under the jurisdiction of the Military District, and the Directorate of Prisoners of War, in Ottawa, under the Adjutant General, has a supervisory and policy-making function corresponding to that of the Provost Marshal General.

BASIS IN PAST EXPERIENCE

American experience with prisoner of war education was comparatively slight during the first war. There was then neither recognized reason nor need for any program of indoctrination. Educational activities in prisoner of war camps seem to have been little more (in most instances) than a means organized by the prisoners themselves to relieve boredom and monotony, a kind of recreational project supervised by Neutral Aid Societies.

A.G.O. records* refer to programs, chiefly recreational, set up by the International Y.M.C.A. Circulating libraries were established, German books imported, occasional movies were shown, and music instruments, athletic equipment, and canteen facilities were provided. German speaking Y.M.C.A. secretaries visited the camps to hold religious services etc.,

Reference however is made to certain favored prisoners, men of Alsace Lorraine, who were privileged to receive instruction in the French language. French officers, familiar with their dialects, were detailed as instructors. Otherwise there appears to have been little or no organized education activities among enlisted men in the prison camps.

At page 20 of the N.Y. Times Current History, Vol.XIII (Oct.1917) an unsigned article *Enemies Within the U.S. records* that the A.G. was to have control of prisoners of war through five principal bureaus -

1. Administration etc.,

2. Employment etc.,

3. Bureau of Religious and Educational Welfare to which all matters connected with religion, education, recreation, and the dealing with Red Cross and benevolent assistance will be conducted.

4. Bureau of Enquiry

5. Bureau of Repatriation

A further reference occurs on p. 22 to a camp at Hot Springs, No. Carolina, in which civilian prisoners (merchant marine officers and seamen) created educational facilities for themselves. Chief officers organized classes for petty officers and seamen with daily instruction in mathematics, navigation, and languages.

Concerning prisoner of war camps in general the article states that the educational welfare of the prisoners is under the immediate control of the barracks chaplain who is charged with the organization of courses of instruction as elected by the prisoners and who is aided in the work by the prisoners themselves. Later vocational training will be introduced into each barrack to provide for prisoners who are without any trade or vocation, the qualified prisoners being used as instructors for the others.

Chaplains of the regular U.S. Army were appointed to the staffs of prison camps and a representative of the International Y.M.C.A. was accredited toneach camp. Denominational services were authorized through churches in the vicinity of the camps.

The only elaborate example of prisoner of war educational organization seems to be that of the so-called Enclosure University at the Richelieu camp for German officers. The following transcript is extracted from A.G.O. file, "C. in C. Report: History of Bureau of Prisoners of War," folder 72, page 23:

Page 23:

**ENCLOSURE UNIVERSITY:** - By authority of a letter of January 12, 1919, from the Provost Marshal General to Commanding Officer, P.W.E., and P.W. Companies, introducing Dr. Otto Zahle as representing the Danish Red Cross and authorizing him to supervise educational work among German prisoners, a real university was instituted for the Officer prisoners. As early as November, 1916, lessons had been begun, at first only by lectures held on the theory of animal development and the formation of animal states. In the same month two English courses, one for beginners and one for advanced, two French and two Hebrew courses were started; and shortly afterward courses began in German History, civil rights, pedagogy, psychology, chemistry, mathematics, and agriculture; to these were added lessons for business men, shorthand, book-keeping, etc.

## II. LIMITATIONS.

There is no reference to indoctrination activities in the text of the 1929 Geneva Convention or in any other international treaty to which the United States is a party. The Judge Advocate General has, however, written an opinion (SPJGW 1943-4248, March 29, 1943) that it would be unlawful to compel prisoners of war to attend lectures on such proposed subjects as American history and government, the workings of a democracy, and the contributions made to America by peoples of all national origins. He sees no legal objection to the provision of lectures, moving pictures, books, and other means of instruction in such subjects, attendance at or use of which by prisoners should be voluntary.

Paragraphs, cited below, from Chapter IV, Basic Field Manual - Rules of Land Warfare FM 27.10 on *Prisoners of War* may, in practice, have bearing on the nature and conduct of educational activities.

Para. 89 Prisoners of war shall enjoy complete liberty in the exercise of their religion, including attendance at the services of whatever religion they may belong to, on the sole condition that they comply with the measures of order and police issued by the military authorities. Ministers of a religion, prisoners of war, whatever their denomination, shall be allowed to minister fully to their coreligionists.

Para. 90 Belligerents shall encourage as much as possible intellectual recreations and sports organized by prisoners of war.

Para. 103 (Last sentence only) Every prisoner shall be allowed a rest of 24 consecutive hours every week, preferably on Sunday.

Para. 112 Prisoners of war shall be allowed to receive shipments of books individually which may be subject to censorship. Representatives of the protecting powers and duly recognized and authorized aid societies may send

**Personnel:** Some authoritative opinion may be desirable as to the interpretation of the words "intellectual recreations" in para. 90 quoted above. At what point does intellectual recreation end and regular education begin? Does the phrase include within its meaning courses of instruction at high school and university levels for which accredited educational institutions may have agreed to award academic credit? The exclusive right of the prisoners themselves to organize and teach such courses might be taken to rest on the interpretation of the quoted words. Conversely, the right of the War Department to organize such courses and provide personnel may rest on their interpretation.

It should not be taken for granted that the general intention of the regulations or of The Judge Advocate General's opinion would confine the rendering of educational services exclusively to prisoner instructors and Y.M.C.A. representatives of neutral origin. Precedent is to be found in the experience of 1917-18 when the educational welfare of prisoners and the organization of courses of instruction were placed in the immediate control of U.S. Army chaplains attached to the staffs of the camps. As the aims of an indoctrination program can only with great difficulty (if at all) be effected through such personnel, it is important that any doubt should be removed as to who shall choose and appoint educational personnel and decide basic matters of teaching method and policy.

**Cost:** The program may, however, be subject to limitations in this direction because of unforeseen financial considerations. Voluntary prisoner instructors receive no special payment for educational work and Y.M.C.A. representatives are paid by their parent organization. Some expense would be incurred if the program seeks some instructors from other sources, as, for example, U.S. citizens, suitable exiles and refugees now resident in the United States, etc. This consideration may be used as an argument against the employment of such paid personnel. It will perhaps not be allowed to weigh very heavily against the plan if it is believed that the desired indoctrination can be most effectively achieved through the medium of such special instructors. Their number need not be large. It might, at first, be enough to attach to each camp or compound a Director or Superintendent of Studies chosen for his knowledge of the language concerned, his ability to establish useful relations with the prisoner instructors in his camp, and his knowledge of indoctrination processes. Some of these functions are currently fulfilled by the Y.M.C.A. representatives, probably more because of chance precedent than because of any established law.

## IV. STATE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANS:
The International Y.M.C.A. is currently in charge of recreation and education in prisoner's camps. Dr. Rudolph Fischer, a Swiss with college teaching experience in the United States, is the responsible official, and he has been in close touch with General Bryan.

*the office of Provost Military General.*

*Civilian Interests*

The Y.M.C.A. has also been caring for civilian internees. The arrangements set up for them are serving as a model for Army prison camps which is probably not desirable. About 80% of the German civilian internees speak English. In the army camps only 2 to 5% of the Italians, and 5 to 10% of the Germans speak English well. Moreover, the number of acceptable volunteer instructors in the civilian camps is much larger in proportion to the number of prisoners than is to be expected in the Army camps. Authority over the civilian camps is, at present, divided, some phases coming under the Department of Justice and others under the War Department. (It is expected, in the near future, that the Department of Justice will take over the sole control.) The program of education offers courses ranging from high school to university levels. 50% of all civilian internees are voluntarily registered for one or more courses. Some German ex-merchant seamen have already been promised academic credit at *Gymnasium* level for their course work. The Red Cross is furnishing some books direct from Germany, but the supply is insufficient. Courses in the civilian camps have been going on for some six months. Internees elected their camp spokesman by democratic process.

NS: The International Y.M.C.A. is
on and education in prisoners' camps.
th college teaching experience in the
official, and he has been very
helpful.
-Michael General

**Current Activities:** The Y.M.C.A. educational program is ready to be put into operation at the Army camps as soon as sufficient equipment and materials can be obtained. These are difficult to secure and slow in coming. Many classroom courses have not yet started. Some recreational activities currently in progress have certain educational potentialities.

**Films:** Commercially rented Hollywood movies are being shown with 16 mm projectors and sound track operated by prisoners. The prisoners themselves choose the subjects and have so far shown a preference for comedies and such straight material as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". American films are permitted without any censoring. So far the prisoners have chosen nothing of propagandist value. Y.M.C.A. plans are afoot to provide both German and Italian movies (of the pre-Hitler period), eight of which are already on order. These will be given to General Bryan for distribution. Movie projectors have been difficult to obtain, but five have already been shipped to the camps.
The P.M.B.

**Newspapers:** Newspapers in the English language are now permitted in the camps. These were originally forbidden by the Post Censor, but the ban was raised by General Bryan's authority of the P.M.B.

**Books & Magazines:** Library basic material, provided by the Y.M.C.A., consists of 600 books in the prisoners' language. These are chiefly fiction which has passed the Postal Censor. Back numbers of American magazines (illustrated numbers are particularly welcomed by prisoners ignorant of the language) were at first condemned by the Censor, but the Officers commanding the camps have permitted them to be placed in quarters.

**Book Exchanges:** A plan exists to establish Book Exchanges between the camps and the nearest University libraries. The institutions so far approached have been willing to collaborate. The Book Exchange in connection with some of the camps worked under the Department of Justice, an arrangement which is much preferred by the Y.M.C.A. The Censor for the Army is the Postal Censor in New York and all mail and books are supposed to be censored through him. It is a more flexible arrangement when the Department of Justice does its own censoring in the camps. Hence the Y.M.C.A. wishes that Camp officials could be made responsible for all censorship. A conference on censorship questions was recently held, but, by some error, the Department of Justice was not invited to send representatives. The Book Exchange scheme has been rendered almost impossible because of the New York censorship. It has been particularly difficult to clear English books owing to the impracticability of sending large numbers of volumes from distant Universities to New York for censorship. The use of the Book Exchanges would be limited to ex-students, prisoners who have some academic standing in civil life.

Class Courses. Registration is voluntary, but attendance will be
applied after registration. There will be from three to five one-hour
class periods weekly. Large classes will be sectioned in units up to
50 members. All instructors are prisoners except in the Officers' camp
at Crossville, Tenn., where Italian officers are teaching Italian to
Germans, and vice versa, and an American officer is teaching English.
The prisoner instructors are not very experienced people. Some have
been students in pre-war life. A practicing engineer may offer a course
in physics, or, an ex-business man in shorthand. There is a large demand
from both Germans and Italians for English language study. German
prisoners are particularly interested in geography, economics, and the
history of the United States. (The Postal Censor objects to printed
material relating to geography.) It is too early, at present, to report
on the response to the educational program. It is already considerable
and very great pressure is anticipated when large numbers of prisoners
arrive at the camps. The lack of text books, stationery, chalk, and
other supplies is delaying everything. Volunteer instructors are awaiting
the arrival of the necessary materials, but they are ready to begin work,
the courses are announced, and lists of registrants are already prepared.
The Italian camps are not so advanced with their preparations as the
German, nor are the prisoners so interested.

Correspondence Courses. Prisoners have requested permission to take
correspondence courses with accredited American institutions. This
was at first limited but permission may soon be forthcoming, except for
the study of certain subjects.

tion is voluntary, but attendance will be
There will be from three to five one-hour
curriculum sectioned in units up to

### Registrations.
Camp Chaffee has 700 prisoners (enlisted men) who have registered for announced courses in numbers as follows -

<table><tr><td>German study(sic)</td><td>65</td></tr><tr><td>English</td><td>210 (7 groups of 30 each)</td></tr><tr><td>French</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>German History (Colonial)</td><td>250</td></tr><tr><td>Stenography</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>News interpretation</td><td>550 (in several groups)</td></tr><tr><td>Geography</td><td>250</td></tr><tr><td>Geo-politics</td><td>250</td></tr><tr><td>Algebra & Geometry</td><td>40</td></tr><tr><td>Theatricals</td><td>60</td></tr></table>

At the officers' camp at Crossville, Tenn., courses have already begun and German textbooks have been circulated in mimeographed form.

The German section comprises 50 officers and 226 enlisted men who have registered in the following numbers -

<table><tr><td>Beginning English</td><td>90</td></tr><tr><td>Advanced English</td><td>90</td></tr><tr><td>German</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Spanish</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>French</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>History</td><td>20</td></tr></table>

Registrations from the Italian section containing 76 officers and 124 enlisted men, number -

<table><tr><td>Italian Grammar</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>do. (secondary)</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Latin</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Physics</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Mathematics</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>History</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>Geography</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>English language</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>French</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>German</td><td>9</td></tr></table>

### Correspondence Courses.
Prisoners have requested permission to take correspondence courses with accredited American institutions. This was at first denied but permission may soon be forthcoming, except for the study of certain subjects.

Methods & Means -- Counsel & Suggestions: Advisers so far consulted* all agree that a slow, moderate and prudent program of indoctrination by indirection is to be recommended for Italian prisoners. United Nations points of view should not be preached at them. American ideas would be best approached by methods of analogy, perhaps by teaching Italian history from a point of view emphasizing traditions associated with historical movements for independence and democratic control, the Risorgimento, Garibaldi, Mazzini. Appeals to memories of the last war in relation to achievements of regiments or peoples connected with particular Italian localities might be effective. News of the current war should be presented without slant or comment. The national love of music might provide a major means of re-orientation especially in connection with singing clubs devoted to Verdi and the more popular operas, the people's songs of the last war, and older songs deriving from Italian democratic tradition. Correspondence with their relatives should be made as easy and free as possible for the prisoners. The choice of "sympathetic" geographical surroundings for the prison camps was several times stressed, especially in relation to the kinds of climate to which Italians are accustomed. The usefulness of U.S. newspapers in the Italian language as means of indoctrination was questioned. They are mostly inferior, and have not been politically sound, especially before Pearl Harbor: nor is their personnel of a high level. The novels of Ignazio Silone were recommended for use both for the character and appeal of their content and the simplicity of their vocabulary and style. The Mazzini Society has suitable books to offer and to suggest, but no money with which to provide them.

\*Copy of original in California, Professor Vittorio Emanuele II, Mr. Tarekiani (of the Mazzini Society)

**Prisoners Attitudes:** Opinions regarding the probable attitude of prisoners were substantially in agreement. Italians will be less afraid than Germans of spies in their midst. The non-fascist elements will prove highly susceptible to indoctrinating influences. Most prisoners will be capable of becoming good democrats. They won't have many illusions about the likelihood of Axis victory. The peasant type of prisoner is much better material than his appearance will suggest and even when semi-literate is often shrewd and intelligent. His native mental disposition is not fascist. The ardent fascist elements are most likely to be found in the lower ranks of officer and among the N.C.O's. The British have failed to divide fascist from non-fascist elements in their prison camps with a result that fascist minorities are running the camp. Resistance is minimized because non-fascist prisoners are afraid for the welfare of their families at home. The U.S. revocation of the Italian-enemy-alien regulations has had a considerable good effect and has been widely publicized in the Italian army.

VI. PRISONERS IN THE U.S.S.R. The evidence of Americans who have recently returned from Russia confirms the belief that a definite and deliberate scheme for prisoner indoctrination is being carried out in the camps. Information, however, comes from two camps only, one near Moscow with 300 prisoners, and another (in an old monastery) near Gorki with 700 prisoners. Neither camp was of a permanently established character, and in neither were the prisoners working. Officers and men were not separated. The prisoners were German with a few Spaniards and a small scattering of Austrians and Czechs. Many of these last are on highly unfriendly terms with the Germans who despise them and openly threaten to hang them after the war because they have not fought "all out". German prisoners were generally sceptical of war news, refusing to believe (for instance) in the large scale bombing of Cologne and arguing that it was technically impossible. They are highly self-confident especially in the ranks of the Luftwaffe who were aloof from visitors and would not talk. They ask "How can we lose?". Russian girl interpreters were attached to the Moscow camp. No religious organization appeared to be operating in either camp. Foreign relief agencies are persona non grata. At the Moscow camp there was a considerable library containing copies of the books proscribed in Germany, especially the works of Lenin, Karl Marx, and Heine. Jack London's Iron Heel was observed. The Gorki camp too had a large library as well as its own newspaper. Moscow had a wall newspaper, like Pravda, and Red Army communiques were published. These, intended for Army consumption, are truer and more informative than communiques released to civilians. Red Army leaflets, such as are dropped over the German lines from the air, were also circulated among the prisoners as were copies of key speeches by Stalin, Churchill and President Roosevelt. All this literature was in the German language.

A meeting of some 500 prisoners in a large hall at the Gorki camp is reported at which, after three prisoners had spoken to the crowd, an exiled German formerly a Communist member of the Reichstag, delivered a direct frontal attack on Nazi ideas and Hitler's ruination of Germany. This was listened to attentively without heckling. Attendance at this meeting was apparently not compulsory. It is not known whether such meetings as this were frequent. There are no reports, so far, of any definite courses of instruction being organized either for or by the prisoners,

**Screening.** It is believed probable that a screening process is going on whereby incorrigible Nazis are being separated from susceptibles, perhaps to be segregated in labor camps in the remoter regions of the U.S.S.R. Audience reactions may have been under observation at the meeting above mentioned.

**Inference.** The U.S.S.R. method is to make a direct frontal attack on Axis ideas in the minds of prisoners at the start of their captivity, to observe their responses, screen out the potential communists, perhaps further screen the susceptibles from the unsusceptibles, and finally segregate incorrigible Nazis in whatever manner will most minimize or liquidate the danger of their influence.

German army officers inform their men that the Red Army kills all its prisoners and are largely believed. Leaflets containing passes through the Red Army lines are dropped from the air over the German lines and some of these had been preserved and used by prisoners.

**Note.** It is not impossible that the U.S.S.R. will retain its prisoners for a long period (perhaps of years) after the battle phase of the war is over, employing them on reconstruction labors in the devastated areas.

The immediate aim is to indoctrinate prisoners of war in camps in
this country with ideas of American history and government, with the
workings of democracy, and with the contributions made to America by
peoples of all national origins; and chiefly to arouse in as effective
a degree as may be possible sympathy with the ideas presented.

The plan and program, however, should from the outset be conceived
in terms that can readily be expanded as need arises to meet problems
of much larger range than are involved by the immediate need. Following
the invasion of Europe permanent as well as temporary camps may have to
be set up in North Africa*, or even in Europe itself and many of these
may continue to be maintained, both at home and abroad, for a period,
possibly of years, following the close of hostilities. Very large
numbers of prisoners may then become subject to indoctrination activities
under conditions largely devoid of the kind of personnel, equipment, and
facilities that are available in the United States. Similar circumstances
might also apply to camps for our Japanese prisoners in Australasia and
the Pacific generally.

Furthermore, when the European enemy is beaten, the present necessity
of protecting U.S. nationals in his prisoner camps may swiftly disappear.
At that time re-educational activities in U.S. camps might need to be
very greatly intensified as a measure in the peace program for the rehab-
ilitation of axis populations in Europe. The plan of education for prisoners
should also be prepared against that time considering the possibility that
very large numbers of prisoners may not be finally repatriated for a period
of many years after the main battles end. During that possible phase of

Experience of 1917-18 should be used as a guide as far as it goes, not as a model because it does not go far enough. Formerly we had no particular ideological differences with the enemy. Therefore indoctrination of prisoners was neither needed nor attempted.

Current organization at the camps, in relation to education, follows the old pattern taking the line of least resistance. Y.M.C.A. policy aims only to alleviate the prisoners' lot. This is not enough. An active, not a passive policy is necessary.

The existing set-up divides authority and control and is not at all favorable to the introduction of indoctrination influences, because -

(a) Education is not regarded separately from recreation and religion. It is merely "intellectual recreation."

(b) Prisoner instructors (casual volunteers) are not effective instruments for our purpose and are even liable to have a ruinous influence upon it.

(c) Y.M.C.A. supervision can scarcely be adequate for the purpose. The Y.M.C.A. has an obligation to be neutral and cannot co-operate beyond a certain point. Its influence should be confined to matters of recreation and relief.

(d) Army chaplain control is probably undesirable as it ties education to religion.

(e) Courses tend to be of kinds that are least adaptable to indoctrination purposes.

(f) The choice of course subjects, teaching methods, movies, literature and textbooks is not in the control of the indoctrinating agency.

Would it be practicable (legally, politically, financially) to
create an encouraging, systematic outlet for those prisoners who
are most favorably disposed and temperamentally capable of accepting
democratic ways of life? Following the most careful kind of screening,
the establishment of a central, separate camp for voluntary re-
education, organized perhaps on specially privileged lines with minimum
demands for physical labor on the part of its prisoner inhabitants,
might well be an ultimate economy in relation to personnel, cost, and
expenditure of indoctrination effort. The co-existence in numerous
different camps throughout the country, each enclosing prisoners at
several different levels and stages of re-education, will inevitably
involve a wasteful decentralization of energy from all points of view
and make for unrest and discontent in the life of the camps. The
preliminary, or "missionary" phase of prisoner indoctrination could
be simultaneously undertaken at the simplest levels within the basic
camps while screening for further indoctrination continues. After
a period of exposure to more advanced indoctrination has been completed
at the special camp, selected prisoners who have proven themselves
reliable in terms of some progressive system of screening might be re-
turned to the basic camps to undertake really effective work as
privileged and chosen prisoner instructors. The existing set-up
unduly favors volunteer prisoner instructors, concerning whose opinions
and antecedents little may be known. It is probably more important to
screen volunteer prisoner instructors than ordinary prisoners,
especially remembering that the present spokesman and leading spirit
at Camp Chaffee was a Nazi party organizer and leader. One of his
kind should be screened out in another direction.

Some method whereby the work of indoctrination can be integrated with camp activities is a first necessity. The main channels whereby the desired ideas might be insinuated into the minds of the prisoners are -

(a) The language and other courses taught by volunteer prisoner instructors.

(b) The co-operative influence of democratically minded prisoners.

(c) The co-operation of the prison Chaplains, whether prisoner chaplains, clergy from neighbourhoods outside the camps, or U.S. Army chaplains.

(d) The influence of visiting speakers and lecturers.

(e) A careful choice (and possibly an "ideological" censorship) of movies, books, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, etc.

(f) The closest feasible co-operation between the representative(s) of the International Y.M.C.A. and the indoctrinating agency.

The indoctrinating process will not, however, go on automatically through these channels. All considerations point to the need of special personnel, constantly on the spot, whose duty it would be to cultivate opportunities from day to day, not by any direct teaching, but by studying the prisoners, their needs, prejudices, superstitions, discontents, vulnerable points etc., in relation to the program of re-education. It would also be the business of such personnel to integrate the educational program, as far as possible, with the programs of recreation, and of religion, without losing sight of the principle that the education, amusements, and religious activities of the prisoners are best regarded as separate and independent though concurrent phases of prison life. Education should not be tied to religion or to the negative neutrality of the Y.M.C.A. from Italy to the United States, has been chiefly Jewish and it might but to the indoctrinating agency itself through its representative in each camp.

**Personnel.** The appointment to each camp of a special officer, chosen and commissioned exclusively for these duties, would be the most effective way of implementing such a program. For German camps it should be possible to find a small but sufficient number of educated men who served with the German army during the last war but voluntarily "withdrew" from Europe during the aftermath, not as political refugees or exiles, but because they didn't like the feel of things and had a strong enough impulse to get out and sufficient hopes of the American experiment, wanted to share it and so, ultimately, became resident citizens. Candidates should, for obvious reasons be of gentile extraction. Such men would -

a. Speak the prisoners' language

b. Remember pre-Hitlerian Germany

c. Know something of German army ways

d. Speak with authority

And they would not awaken the suspicion of prisoners as would probably be true of most exiles and refugees from Germany.

Somewhat similar desiderata would govern the selection of candidates for the Italian camps. It is probably desirable that these men should be, like 99% of the prisoners, of the Catholic religion. A wise choice between different possible categories of help is imperative here according to the best advice received. U.S. citizens of the old bitter anti-fascist type would not be the right men. Since 1938, immigration from Italy to the United States has been chiefly Jewish and it might be a mistake to draw too heavily upon these people, not because there is any natural anti-Semitic feeling among Italians, but because anti-

Advisers have heavily stressed the desirability of a most careful selection of Catholic chaplains for attachment to Italian camps. They should be men of thoroughly democratic and anti-fascist conviction. Priests of genuine Italian backgrounds will be difficult to find. Most Italo-American communities have Irish-American priests among whom Coughlin-like elements are not uncommon. Many bear bitter feelings towards Britain and Russia. Irish-American priests have, in fact, already been attached to more than one of the Italian camps. They cannot speak Italian. The Italo-American priesthood is not of a superior level. There is, in fact, no bishop of Italian origins in the United States. Italian catholicism has little in common with American. The former is only very mildly political and has not had much to do with education in recent years. Catholic schools in Italy did, however, receive state financial support and thus soon became pro-fascist. But in a fairly free post-war Italy education will not be in the hands of the Church.

While sermons treating of ways of life rather than politics might prove useful as channels of indoctrination, it should be remembered that the employment of Irish-American priests in the camps may carry some danger in relation to the promotion of the desired doctrinal ideas in the secular field.

1

May 10-15, 1943

Notes on Canadian Visit

There are nineteen prison camps in Canada, some of which
hold civilian internees. Canada has 23,000 military prisoners,
plus 1330 civilians, at this time of writing. The camps
are not attached to Army posts but are organized as separate
entities under the central authority, in Ottawa, of the
Prisoners of War Bureau (Colonel H. N. Streight, director).
Civilian internee camps are also under his authority. The
camps are rapidly being standardized and consolidated to
conserve man power and expense. Guards have been cut, since
the camps were first started, from 1 to every 5 prisoners to
1 to every 15 prisoners. Costs have been reduced by 50%.
Camps have been carefully located in districts where ample
facilities exist, e.g. local supply of natural gas for heating,
within coal belts, etc., and where water supply, sewage
disposal and transportation facilities of an adequate kind
are at hand. Matters of discipline, clothing, food, medical
and dental care are provided for through the various Area
commands. But authority over the camps, the camp commandants,
guards, etc., is centralized at the Ottawa Bureau, as above.
Otherwise, to quote the Director, "there would be nineteen
different policies as well as nineteen different camps."

This arrangement has been found to secure equality of treat-
ment for all prisoners and to minimise discontents, no
matter what camp they may be in. It also tends to neutralize
conditions that formerly arose because of differing tempera-
ments, ideas, etc., of the various camp commandants. The

2

camp at Lethbridge, Alberta, may be taken as a pattern of
the whole. It holds 13,257 prisoners (enlisted men). A
new camp is now being opened, a hundred miles to the east
of Lethbridge, in Alberta, at Medecine Hat. Colonel Paige
is visiting both these camps and will return with full
information. Dining halls in these camps each hold 900 men
at a single sitting. A single auditorium will accommodate
up to 5000 (sic) men. There are several dining halls and
two auditoriums in each camp. Watch towers have recently
been removed outside the barbed wire. There are regular
detention cells in every camp, just within the gates. The
guards are specially recruited men, all veterans of the
last war. Censors and interpreters are (with a single
exception at the Bowmanville officers' camp) military person-
nel. Canada has very few Italian prisoners. This report
refers almost entirely to German prisoners. There is a
manufacturing program in most of the camps. Prisoners make
such products as kit-bags, hospital equipment, furniture,
packing cases. The work is voluntary, but they are paid 20 (sic)
cents a day. The merchant seamen prisoners are the best
workers. Prisoners are also being used (unlike ours) on
camp construction work without protest from the trade unions.

**Prisoners' Attitudes.** Large numbers of the prisoners in
Canada have been in captivity for almost three years. The
military authority states that the prisoners are conducting a
second front (probably according to instructions), joining

3

in a concerted effort to immobilize as many guards as possible, and using up the maximum quantity of materials, hoping to hamper the war effort as far as they can. YMCA observers do not think that this is a true picture. The prisoners, they say, are not particularly obstreperous nowadays. (There are several discrepancies between the views of the YMCA representatives and the military arm, as might be expected. For example, prisoner hostility was minimized by the YMCA while the Army authorities seemed to think it quite considerable. Prisoners, of course, would have much less reason to reveal hostility to those who are providing their recreational equipment, etc., than to those who are responsible for camp discipline.) At the officers' camp the Commandant described hostility as more or less static. It decreased a little last year at the times of Rommel's retreat, and of Stalingrad, but was soon restored. The shackling incident after Dieppe naturally did a great deal of harm, stiffening hostility in a high degree.

During the past 30 days, at this particular (Bowmanville) camp letters to prisoners have reported 62 deaths (two a day), mainly of friends and relatives killed on the battle fronts in Russia and Europe. The depressing effect is perceptible. Reports of the fall of Tunisia had been circulated on the day of this writer's visit to Bowmanville, together with news and figures of the number of prisoners taken in North Africa. Disbelief in the war news is not now so widespread as it was a few months ago. Members of the Luftwaffe, and storm troop elements as well as Gestapo members, are leaders of the hostility. But their influence

4

seems to decrease as the news gets worse. (The evidence
for this belief was not very clear). The most competent
observer encountered insists that the prisoners are now
thoroughly aware that Germany is losing the war. Canadians
and Americans are not so suspect as the English.

**Newspapers.** The New York Times is most in demand. Canadian papers (censored) from cities in the camp localities have been used, but are not much regarded in comparison with the Times. The Times has recently been stopped. In some camps (formerly) a committee of the prisoners would read and censor the news and prepare a bulletin for the rank and file who were not allowed to read the original newspapers. The news in this bulletin was badly distorted. The Canadians had a scheme (which was abandoned) to print a special news bulletin in German, for all camps, with propaganda purpose. They were discouraged by reports of the experience in the prison camps in India where only 5000 out of 90,000 Italian prisoners shewed themselves interested in such a newsbulletin. (Many were afraid to be seen looking at the news.) Colonel Streight very much likes the idea (his suggestion) of a joint effort with the U.S. to publish such a sheet in the German language for circulation among all prisoners. News by radio is permitted in some of the large camps. The radio is set outside the compound with the censor in charge. Loud speakers are placed within the compound in such a way that the prisoners may shut them off if they don't want to hear the news. These are broadcasts in English, ordinary news