CATALA. 1
qTHE AUTHOR AS ]IE APPEARED ON THE D.y OF
HIS RELEASE FROM RUHLEBEN.
From an oflicial photograph taken by the German Government
for attaehment to the passport. The embossed imprint of the
stamp of the Kommandantur of Berlin may be seen.
Frotispi c
SIXTEEN MONTHS IN
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
WESEL
SENNELAGER
KLINGELPUTZ
RUHLEBEN
NARRATED BY
HENRY C. MAHONEY
CHRONICLED BY
FREDERICK A. TALBOT
AUTHOR OF "' FHE NEW GARDEN OF CANADA,"
CONQUESTS OF SCIENCE," E I'C.
LONDON AND EDINBURGH
SAMPSON LO\V, MARSTON & CO., LTD.
x9x7
TO
MY WIFE AND CHILDREN
WHO WAITFD PATIENTLY AND ANXIOUSLY
FOR "DADDY," AND TO
A FRIEND,
STILL LANGI'ISHING IN RI'HLEBEN, TO
V'HOM I OV'E lXlY LIFE
PRISONER'S NOTE
IT was whilst suffering the agonies of solitary confine-
ment in the military prison of Wesel that I first decided
to record my experiences so that readers might be able
to glean some idea of the inner workings and the treat-
lnent meted out fo out unfortunate compatriots who
were travelling in Germany af the outbreak of war and
who have since been interned.
From the moment of my decision I gathered all
the information possible, determining at the first
opportunity fo escape to the Old Country. As will be
seen I have fo a degree been successful.
Odng to the grossly inaccurate and highly coloured
reports which have been circulated from rime fo rime
regarding the lire and treatment of prisoners of war, the
story has been set out in a plain unvarnished form.
There are no exaggerations whatever. Much of the
most revolting detail has been eliminated for the
simple reason that they are unprintable.
In nearly every instance names have been suppressed
Only initials have been indicated, but suflîcient descrip-
tion is attached fo enable personal friends of those who
are still so unfortunate as fo be incarcerated fo identify
them and their present situation. Likewise, in the
cases where I received kind treatment from Germans,
initials only have been introduced, since the publication
of their names would only serve fo bring punishment
upon them.
H. C. M.
CHRONICI,ER'S NOTE
ON Friday afternoon, July 31, 1914, I shook hands
in farewell vith my friend Henry C. Mahoney. He
was going to Warsaw and was full of enthusiasm con-
cerning the new task which was fo occupy him for at
least three months. Owing to his exceptional skill and
knowledge, practical as well as theoretical, of photo-
graphy in all its varied branches, he had been offered,
and had accepted an important appointment abroad in
connection with this craft--one which ruade a profound
appeal to him. Despite the stormy outlook in the
diplomatic world he felt convinced that he would be
able to squeeze through in the nick of time.
Althougll he promised to keep me well informed of
his movements months passed in silence. Then some
ugly and ominous rumours came fo hand to the effect
that he had been arrested as a spy in Germany, had
been secretly tried and had been shot. I did not
attach any credence to these vague, wild stories. I
knew he had never been fo Germany belote, and was
au courant with the harmless nature of his mission.
A year elapsed before I had any definite news.
Then fo my surprise I received a letter from him dis-
patchecl from the Interned British Prisoners Camp at
Ruhleben. As a marrer of fact I learned subsequcntly
that he had previously written six letters and postcards
to me, but none had reached me; most likely they
had been intercepted and suplressed by the German
authorities.
The letter intimated that he had prepared a
voluminous account of his experiences. Two or three
days later I learned from another source that
he had been " having a hard, rough, and exciting
5
CHRONICLER'S NOTE
tilne," and that he could relate one of the most
fascinating and sensational stories concerning the
treatment meted out to out compatriots by the German
authorities. I also learned that a closely written
diary and a mass of other papers vere on their wav to
lne; that they werc in sale keeping just over the fron-
fier, the bearer waiting patiently for the most favourable
moments to smuggle them into safety. This diary
and othcr documents contaiued material which he
desired me to make public with all speed in order to
bring home to the British public a vivid impression
of what our fellow-countrymen were suffering in the
German prison camps.
The papers never reached me. "Vhy, is related
iii the following pages. In prosecuting discreet
cnquiries to discover thcir whereabouts I learned,
carly in October 1915, that " Mahoney will be home
belote Christmas." My informant declined to vouch-
sale any furthcr particulars beyond the cryptic remark,
,« Hc's got something smart up his sleeve.
Knowing full well that my ffiend was a man of
infinite resource and initiative I was not surprised to
learn a week or tvo later that " Ruhleben kaew
Mahoney no longer." He had got away. His plans
had proved so successful as to exceed the sanguine
anticipations which he had formêd.
On December 9, I915, the day after his return to
his wife and children, who had been keyed up to the
highest pitch of excitement by the welcome news, we
met again. His appearance offcred convincing testi-
mony as to the privations he had suffered, but I was
completely surprised by the terrible tale he unfolded.
When the story narrated in the following pages was
submitted to the publishers they received it with
incredulity. After making enquiries concerning Mr.
Mahoney's credentials they accepted his statements
as being accurate, but my friend, to set the matter
beyond all dispute, insisted upon making a statutory
declaration as to their accuracy in every detail.
CHRONICLER'S NOTE 7
People in these islands were stirred to profound
depths of horror by the cold-blooded murders of Nurse
Cavell and Captain Fryatt, of whose trials nothing
was heard until the sentences had been executed. A
certain amount of curiosity bas been aroused concerning
the Teuton methods of conducting these secret trials.
Henry C. Mahoney passed through a similar experience,
although he escaped the extreme penalty. Still, the
story of his trial will serve to bring home to the publie
some idea of the manner in which Germany strives
to pursue ber campaign of frightfulness behind closed
doors.
FREDERICK A. TALBOT.
CONTENT$
£HAPTKR
PRISON ONE--\VESEL
P&K
ARRESTED AS A SP( . II
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 29
HoIv GERMANY DRIVES lIER PRISONERS LD 44
SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL . (30
WAITING TO BE SHOT 74
VlI.
vnI.
IX.
x.
xI.
xii.
xIII.
XlV.
xv.
PRISON TWO--SENNELAGER
THE BLACK HOLE OF GERMANY
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL " . 9I
BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER 10 5
BADGERING THE BRITISH HEROES AT MONS 119
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 136
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE--
THE FAVOURITE PUNISHMENT 148
THE REIGN OF TERROR . . i6 5
THE REIGN OF TERROR--CONTINUED 180
" THE ]LOODY IIGHT OF SEPT. II " . 196
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP . . 209
THE AFTERMATH OF THE IITH . 225
xvI.
xvn.
PRISON THREE--KLINGELPUTZ
FREE ON «« PASS " IN COLOGNE .
RE-IMPRISONED AT I(INGELPUTZ
PRISON FOUR--RUHLEBEN
XVIII. THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE . .
XIX. ORGANISING THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLE-
BEN .
XX. How I IV/.ADE MONEY IN RUHLEBEN CAMP .
8
237
253
266
280
3oi
LIST OF II.LUSTRATIONS
The Author as he appearcd on the Day of his Re-
lease from Ruhleben .... Froitispiece
FACE PAGN
198
" The Bloody Night of September II, 1914 "
The Aftermath of the " 131oody Night " . 226
Facsimile of the Pass issued by the German authori-
ries fo the Author on his leaving Sennelager for
C61n-on-Rhein . . . 238
9
SIXTEEN MONTHS IN FOUR
GERMAN PRISONS
PRISON ONEwWESEL
CHAPTER I
ARRESTED AS A SPY
" Start August First. Book tickets immediately."
Such were the instructions I received af Brighton
early in July, 1914, from Prince . A few days
previously I had spent considerable rime with this
scion of the Russian nobility discussing the final
arrangements concerning my departure to his palace
in Russia, where I was to devote two months to a
special matter in which he was deeply interested, and
which involved the use of special and elaborate photo-
graphic apparatus, microscopes, optical lantern and
other accessories. I may mention that the mission
in question was purely of scientific import.
During the discussion of these fanal arrangements
a telegram was handed fo the Prince. He scanned if
hurriediy, j umped up from his seat, and apologising
for Iris abruptness, explained that he had been suddenly
called home. He expressed the hope that he would
shortly sec me in Russia, where I was promised a
fine rime, but that he would instruct me the precise
date when fo start. Meanwhile I was urged fo complete
my purchases of the paraphernalia which we had
decided to be imperative for out purpose, and he
handed me sufficient funds fo settle all the accounts
in connection therewith. That night the Prince bade
me farewell and hurried off fo catch the boat train.
II
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
My next communication from him was the brief
instruction urging me to start on August I. 1
Shortly after his departure there were ominous
political rumblings, but I, in common with the grcat
majority, concluded that the storm would blow over
as it had done many rimes before. Moreover, I was
so pre-occupied with my confing task as to pay scanty
attention to the political baromctcr. I completed
the purchase of the apparatuses, packed them securely,
and arranged for their dispatch to meet me at the
train. Then I remained at home to await develop-
ments. I was ready to start at a moment's notice,
having secured my passport, on which I was dcscribed,
for want of a better terre, as a" Tutor of Photography,"
and it was duly viséd by the Russian Embassy.
Although the political sky grew more and more
ominous I paid but little attention to the black clouds.
The receipt of instructions to start at once galvanised
me into activity to the exclusion of all other thoughts.
I booked my passage right through fo destination
Warsawand upon making enquiries on July 3ISt
was assured that I should get through all right.
I left Brighton by the 5.IO train on Saturday after-
noon, August ist. There was one incident at the station
wlfich, although it appeared to be trivial, proved sub-
scquently of far reaching significance. In addition to
many cameras of different types and sizes stowed in my
baggage I carried three small instruments in my pockets,
one being particularly small. I had always regarded
this instrument with a strange affection because, though
exceedingly small and slipping into a tiny space, it was
capable of excellent work. As the train was moving from
the station I took two parting snapshots of my wife and
t I bave never heard since from the Prince. A day or two after
the outbreak of war, upon joining the Russian forces, he, x5th an
observer, ascended in an aeroplane--he was aa enthusiastic and
sldlled aviatorto conduct a reconnaissance over the German
lines. He was never seen nor heard oI again. Searching enquiries
bave been ruade without result, and now it is presumed that he was
lost or killed.--It. C. II.
ARRESTED AS A SPY 13
family waving me farewell. -It was an insignificant
incident over which 1 merely smiled at the time, but
rive days later I had every cause to bless those parting
:naps. One often hears about lire hanging by the pro-
verbial thread, but hot many lives bave hung upon two
snapshot photographs of all that is dearest to one, and
a few inches of photographic film. Yet it was so in my
case. But for those two tiny parting pictures and the
unexposed fraction of film I should bave been propped
against the wall of a German prison to serve as a target
for Prussian rifles t
Upon reaching Victoria I round the evening boat-
train being awaited by a large crowd of enthusiastic
and war-fever stricken Germans anxious to get back
to their homeland. The fiat had gone forth that all
Germans of military age were to return at once and they
had rolled up en nasse, many accompanied by their
wives, ,«hile there was a fait sprinkling of Russian ladies
also bent upon hurrying home. An hour belote the
train was due the platform was packed with a dense
chattering, gesticulating, singing, and dancing crowd.
Many pictures bave been painted of the 13ritish exodus
from 13erlin upon the eve of war but few, if any, bave
ever been drawn of the wild stampede from 13ritain to
]3eflin wtfich it was my lot to experience.
As the train backed into the station there was a wild
rush for seats. The excited Teutons grabbed at handles
--in fact at anything protruding from the carriages--
in a desperate endeavour to be first on the Iootboard.
Many were carried struggling and kickingalong the
platform. Women were bowled over pell-mell and their
shrieks and cries mingled with the hoarse, exuberant
howls of the war-fever stricken maniacs already tasting
the smell of powder and blood.
More by luck than judgment I obtained admission
to a saloon carriage to find myself the only Englishman
among a hysterical crowd of forty Germans. They
danced whistled, sang and j oked as if bound on a
wayzegoose. Badinage was exchanged freely with
x4 FOUR GERS[AN PRISONS
friends standing on the platform. Anticipatin that
things would probably grow lively during the journey,
I preserved a discreet silence, and my presence was
ignored.
The whistle blew, the locomotive screeched, and the
next moment we were gliding out of the station to'the
accompaniment of wild cheering, good wishes for a
sale journey and speedy return, andthe strains of music
which presently swelled into a roar about " Wacht ara
Rhein." The melody was yelled out with such gusto and
so repeatedly that I hoped I might ever be spared from
hearing its strains again. But af last Nature asserted
hersclf. The throats of the singers grew hoarse and
tired, the song came fo a welcome end, and music gave
way fo vigorous and keen discussion upon the trend of
events, which was maintained, not only during the train
journey, but throughout the cross-Channel passage to
Flushing, which we reached af six o'clock the following
rnorning.
Af the Dutch port the wild excitement and hubbub
broke out with increased virulence. : The report was
circulated that the train now awaiting us would be the
last through express to Berlin. There was a frantic
rush for seats. Men, women, and chfldren participated
in the wild mêlée. The brutal shouts of the men con-
trasted vividly with the high-pitched adjurations of the
women and the wails and cries of the terrified children.
Within a few minutes the train was packed fo suffoca-
tion, hot an inch of standing-room being left, while the
corridors were barricaded with the overflow of baggage
from the guards' vans.
For two hours we stood there scarcely able to breathe.
The heat of the waxing summer's day began to assert
itself, with the result that it was hot long before the
vomen commenced fo show signs of distress. Their
spirits revived, however, as the train commenced fo
move. There was one solace--one and all were ad-
vancing towards home and the discomfort would not
last for long.
ARRESTED AS A SPY I5
So keen was the desire fo get to Berlin that the great
maiority of the passengers had neglected to provide
themselves with any food, lest they sbould lose their
seats or miss the train. But they confident]y expected
that the train would pull up at some station fo enable
refreshments fo be obtained. They were supported
in this belief by the withdrawai of the usual dining car
from the train. Those who trusted in luck, however,
were rudely disappointed. The train refused to stop
af any station. Instead, if evinced a dccided prcference
for intermediate signal posts. It was described as an
express, but a tortoise's crawl would be a gallop in
comparison. If travelled at only a little more than a
walking pace and the stops were maddeningly frequent.
The women and children speedily betrayed painful
evidences of the suffering they were expefiencing, which
became accentuated as we advanced. The close con-
finement rendered the atmosphere within the carriages
extremely oppressive. The weaker men and the women
commenced fo faint but no assistance could be extended
to them. One could move barely an arm or leg. The
afflicted passengers simp]y went off where they were,
sitting or standing, as the case might be, and prevented
from fal]ing by the closely packed passengers around
them, fo corne round as best they could when Nature felt
so disposed. The wails of the children were pitiful.
Many were crying from cramp and hunger, but nothing
could be done fo satisfy them, and indeed the men took
little notice of them.
The arrival--in rime--af the frontier station af Goch
somewhat revived the distressed and drooping. Every-
one seized the opportunity fo stretch the limbs, fo
inhale some fresh air, and to obtain some slight refresh-
ment. The Customs officiais were unusually alert,
harrying, and inflexible. There was the eternai wrang-
ling between the passengers and the officiais over
articles liable to duty and it was somevhat amusing to
me, even with war beating the air, to follow the frantic
and useless efforts of old and experienced travellers
16 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
to smuggle this, that, or something else through the
fiscal barrier.
The Customs were so far from being in a conciliatory
mood as to be absolutely deaf to entreaty, cajolery,
argument, explanation or threat. They cut the opera-
tions summarily short by confiscating everything liable
to duty. As may be imagined a rich harvest was
garnered at the expense of the luckless returning patriot.
While the Customs were busy the military oflïcials, who
appeared to be swarming everywhere, were equally
exacting. They boarded the train and literally turned
ityinside out. Every man and woman and child was
subjected fo a close personal investigation and cross-
examination. Foreigners were handled with even
greater stress and with less ceremony. I saw four fellow
passengers sorted out and rushed under a military escort
into the waiting room.
Af last if was my turn for military inquisition. I
presented all my credentials, which were scanned from
end to end, turned over, and even he!d up fo the light,
lest there should be something interwoven with the
watermark. I followed the operations with a quiet
amusement, confident in my security, but could hot
resist remarking upon the thoroughness of the search
and the determination to leave nothing to chance. My
passport created the greatest interest. It was dated
July 7th, 1914. The oncial looked at me queerly in
silent interrogation as he placed his finger beneath the
date. I nodded and ruade no comment.
XVith a slight smile of self-satisfaction the oflîcer
turned on his heel and beckoned me to follow him. At
the same moment two soldiers clicked their heels behind
me and I saw that I was already under severe military
suspicion. I was taken to a long-bearded individual
sitting in state on a pedestal. The officer handed to him
the papers he had round upon me. There was a hurried
whisperLug, the superior individual eyeing me narrowly
meanwhile. They compared the date of the passport
with August 2nd, Sunday, the day on which I was travel-
ARRESTED AS A SPY I
ling and also examined the visWof the Russian Embassy
in the corner.
Suddenly the long-bearded officer hurled a torrent
of questions af me and af such a velocity that I was quite
unable fo follow him. Observing that his volcanic
interrogative eruption was non-productive he slowed
down and repeated the questions.
"' Why are you travelling af this rime ? "
"To take up an appointment in Russia. There is the
naine--Prince "
'" Ah I " and his eyebrows were elcvated so much as
to mingle almost with his hair.
"But why have you so much photographic
apparatus ? "
" It is necessary for the work I am taking up."
" Ah!" once again the eyebrow vanished scalp-
wards.
" Have you a camera upon you ? "
"No! "
" Ah ! "another dance of the eyebrows.
He rapped out a short command and belote I was
aware of the circumstance two pairs of hands were run-
ning rapidly over my body and in and out of my pockets
with the dexterity of men who had served a long
apprenticeship under an Artful Dodger. It proved a
blank search. I gave a sigh of relief, because had the
searchers run their hands over the lower part of my
person they would have corne across two cameras,
and my treasured little companion, wrapped in his
leather jacket, alert and ready for silent service,
but concealed in a most unexpected corner. I could
scarcely repress a smile when I recognised that I was
immune from further search. Evidently the Pooh-bah
was somewhat disconcerted at the negative results
achieved, because, after firing one or two other desultory
questions af me, he handed back my passport and other
papers, and told me I could continue my journey.
Desiring fo disarm suspicion completely I did hot
hurry away but lingered around the little court and
18 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
even indulged in a short idle conversation with my
interlocutor, who, however, somewhat resented my
familiarity. I lounged back to the train, hugely
delighted with myself, more particularly as, quite un-
beknown to the fussy individual dth the beard, I had
snapped a picture of his informal court with my little
camera.
The frontier formalities at last concluded, the train
resumed its crawl, ambling leisurely along for some two
hours, stopping now and then to draw into a siding.
O,1 such occasions troop train after troop train crowded
with soldiers thundered by us en route to Berlin. The
sight of a troop train roused our passengers to frenzy.
They cheered madly, throwing their bats into the air.
The huzzas were returned by the soldiers hanging out of
the windows with all the exuberant enthusiasm of school
boys returning home at the end of the term.
But we were not destined to make a through run to
the capital. Suddenly the train was pulled up by a
military guard upon the line. We were turned out
pell-mell and our baggage was thrown on to the embank-
ment. This proceeding caused considerable uneasiness.
What had happened ? Where were we going ? and
other questions of a similar character were hurled at
the soldiers. But they merely shook their heads in a non-
committal manner. They either did not or would not
know. Our feelings were not improved when the empty
carriages were backed down the line, the engine changed
ends, and ve saw the train steam off in another direction.
The hold-up of the train had taken place at a depress-
ing spot. We were completely stranded, without pro-
visions or any other necessities, and af an isolated spot
where it was impossible to obtain any supplies. The
passengers pestered the guard for information, and af
last the officers, to still any further enquiry, declared
that they were going to do something, to carry us
" somewhere."
Some two-and-a-half hours slipped by when a loud
cheer rang out at the appearance of a train of crazy
ARRESTED AS A SPY x9
carriages which backed towards us. The passengers
scrambled in and ruade themselves as comfortable as
they could. But where was the baggage to go ? The
soldiery had overlooked this item and they surveyed
the straggling mass of bags and trunks littering the
embankment ruefully. But they solved the problem
in their own way. What could not be stacked withi
the trucks would have fo go on top.
We forged ahead once more to pull up at a small
station. Here there was a mad scramble for supplies
and the refreshment room was soon cleared out of its
small stock. On the platform an extortionate German
drove a brisk trade selling small bottles of lemonade
at sixpence a bottle, liore excitement was caused by a
newsvendor mounting a box and holding aloft a single
copy of the latest newspaper which he would sell to the
highest bidder.
Being ignorant of what had transpired since I had
left London I resolved to have that copy. I scrambled
over a pile of baggage and came within arm's length of
the newsvendor. I threw down coins to the value of
2s. Bd., grabbed his paper and vanished before he could
voice a protest. I scrambled back to my car. Here
the paper was snatched from me to be read aloud to the
expectant crowd thirsting for news. There was a tense
silence as the reader ran through the items until he
gravely announced the latest intelligence--Russia and
Germany had declared war. The news was oflîcial.
For a second a profound silence reigned. Then there
broke out a further outburst of wild, maniacal cheering,
above which, however, could be heard hysterical screams
and shrieks from women, especially from those bound
for Russia, which they now realised they would never
reach.
I saw at once that it was hopeless to get to my destina-
tion, as the Russo-German frontier was now closed.
But as it was quite as impossible to turn back I decided
to push on to Berlin there to await events. So far Britain
was not involved and might even keep clear of the tangle.
.o FOUR GER/3IAN PRISONS
This I might say was the general opinion on the train.
The remainder of the iourney to the capital was now
far more exciting, and the animated conversation served
to while away the tedium of the slow travelling, al-
though the latter part was completed in darkness, the
train running into Berlin at 1.3o in the morning of
August 3rd, the journey from Flushing having taken
about 18 hours.
The platIorm at Berlin was over-run with officials
of all sorts and descriptions, ranging from puny col-
lectors fo big burly Iellows smothered with sufficient
braid and decorations to pass as field-marshals. But
one and all seemed to be entrusted with swords too big
for them which clanked and clattered in the most nerve-
racking manner. They strutted up and down the plat-
form with true Prussian arrogance, j ostling the fatigued,
cursing the helpless who lounged in their path, ignoring
the distress of the children, sneering at the pitiful plead-
ings of the women--in fact caring about nothing beyond
their own importance. They disdained to reply to any
question, and said nothing beyond the terse statement
that no more trains were going East to Russia. At this
intelligence the travellers bound for the latter country
collapsed, the maiority, women, flopping upon theix
baggage and dropping their heads in their hands in
grief and utter despair.
Yet, although the authorities were fully aware that
no more trains were going East they ruade no attempt
to cope with the influx of arriving and stranded passen-
gers. They were left fo their own devices. The major-
ity of the women and children were famished, thirsty,
and tired, but the officials resolutely refused to open
the waiting rooms and buffets beIore the usual hour.
Accordingly the travel-tired, grief-stricken women
either threw themselves prone upon the platforms, or
crawled into corridors, sub-ways, and corners to seek
a little repose, using their luggage as head-rests, or
being content with the cold hard steps. The few seats
upon the platform were speedily occupied but the
ARRESTED AS A SPY 21
occupants were denied more than a brief repose. At
the end of 15 minutes officiais came round and emptied
the seats of those in possession to allow othcr parties
to have a quarter of an hour's test.
qaile the worn-out passengers slept the light-
fingered German gentry passed swiftly from bag to bag,
the conditions offering tavourable opportunities for the
light-fingered gentry. They appeared to surfer no
molestation from the officiais, who could plainly see
what was going on, but possibly officialdom regarded
the belongings of tired and exhausted foreigners as
legitimate loot to those who were prepared to take it.
Outside the station the heavier baggage was stacked in
barricades in a wildly haphazard manner with the
heavier articles at the top. These, crushing the lighter
and more fragile packages beneath, spread the contents
of the latter in the roadway to serve as sport for
gamins and other loungers who prowleà around.
The utter chaos was aggravated by the tain which
pelted down with torrential fury. Mothers with their
little children drew closely into corners or sat upon
doorsteps seeking the slightest shelter. As I turneà
out of the station my attention was attracted by a
woman--she had corne up on out trainuwho was sitting
on the kerb, her feet in the gutter, the rushing water
coursing over her ankles, feeding her child at the breast,
and vainly striving to shelter the little mite from the
elements. The woman was crying bitterly. I went up
to ber. She spoke English perfectly. She was Rus-
sian and had set out from England to meet her husband
at Kalish. But she could not get through, she had very
little money, could not speak German, and knew hot
what to do, or what would become of her. I soothed her
as well as I could. There were hundreds of similar
cases around. Notwithstanding their terrible plight
hot a hand was moved by the authorities on their behalf.
They were even spurned and roughly moved out of
the way by the swaggering officiais. It was not until
the British colony got busy the next day that they
22 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
received the slightest alleviation, and the majority,
being strangers in a strange land, were sent back fo
England, the Gerrnans rnutely concurring in the task.
The wild rush frorn the Continent may have precipi-
tated congestion at out ports and railway stations, but
there never could have been that absolute chaos which
reigned at Berlin on the fateful night of the 2nd of
August. Humanity was thrown to the four winds.
The rnuch-vaunted Teuton organisation, sytern, and
scientific control had broken down completely under
the first test fo which if was subjected.
The terrific downpour caused me fo decide fo spend
a few hours in the comfort of an hotel. I hailed a taxi
and jumped in. The car was just moving when the door
was flung open, I was grabbed by the coat-collar and
the next moment round myself skating across the road-
way on rny back. I jurnped up, sornewhat ruffled at
this rude handling, fo learn that if was an officer who
had treated me so uncerernoniously. I had no redress.
Berlin was under martial law. The uniforrn of the
rnilitary carne belote the rnufti of the civilian.
Unable to find another vehicle I turned into the first
place I round open. It was an all-night café. It was
packed fo suffocation with Gerrnan soldiers and the
ferninine underworld of Beflin. There was a glorious
orgy of drunkenness, nauseating and debasing amuse-
ment, and the incoherent singing of patriotic songs.
"l'he other sex appeared to have thrown all discretion
and womanliness fo the winds. A soldier too drunk to
stand was assisted fo a chair which he mounted with
diflïculty. Here he was supported on either side by two
flushed, hilariously-shouting, partially-dressed harpies.
He drew off his belt--his helmet had already gone sorne-
where--and pointing fo the badge he shouted thickly
and coarsely, "Deutschland, Deutschland, Gott mit
uns "--(Germanyi Germany, God is with us). Meta-
phorically he was correct, because the words are printed
upon the belt of every Gerrnan soldier, but if the
Alrnighty was with that drunken, debased crowd that
ARRESTED AS A SPY 23
night, then Old Nick must have been wearing out his
shoes looking for a job.
When the crowd caught sight of me, which was some
rime after my entrance because I had dropped unseen
into a convenient corner, they rushed forward and urged
me fo participate in their revels. I declined. They had
been hurling distinctly uncomplimentary and obscene
epithets concerning Britain through the room. My
decision was construed into an affront fo the All-Highest.
A big, burly, drunken soldier wanted fo fight me. The
crowd pressed round keenly anticipating some fun. We
indulged in a spirited altercation, but as neither under-
stood what the othcr said, words did not lead to blows.
However, the upshot was the intimation that my room
was preferred to my company. This was received
with enthusiasm, the result being that I ruade the
sudden acquaintance of the pavement outside once
more, being assisted in my hurried departure by
fisticuffs and heavy boots.
I picked myself up and walked until I caught sight
of an hotel. I entered, booked a room, and indulged in
an elaborate wash and brush-up of which I was sorely
in need, following this with a substantial breakfast.
Then I sauntered into the vestibule for a smoke. Three
German oflîcers and a squad of soldiers came clanking
in. There was a short sharp order. One officer
remained af the door while the others disappeared
into the depths of the building.
I went over fo the oflîcer and entered into conversation
with him. He spoke English fluently and was fairly
affable. We discussed things in general and also
the political situation, from which I gathered that
matters were rapidly approaching a climax, and
that there was no telling what would happen next.
This was the first time I had been brought face fo face
with the situation and my outlook was serious. The
oflîcer af last turned to me, and with a friendly smile,
remarked--
" Look here, my English friend, I would advise you
24
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
Don't stop for
to make for your country at once.
anything ! "
" Why ? "'
"' Don't ask questions. Do as I say ! Can't you take
a friendly warning ? Take to-day's train home! If
you don't--well, you may be detained ! "
His advice was expressed in such significant tones
that I looked at him sharply. He answered with
another smile and a shrug which intimated only too
plainly that he had said as much as he dared.
I was debarred from prosecuting the conversation
farther by the rcturn of his comrades with a crowd of
waiters. They were all Russians and they had been
roundcd up by the military. No opportunity was given
them to pack a few necessities. They were arrested
at their tables, while performing their duties, were
corralled and now were off to prison. No one possessed
any more than he stood up in.
I followed them down the street, intending to proceed
to the British Consulate. The streets were full of
soldiers and the air rang with martial music. XVhile
proceeding to the Consulate I became aware that I
was being shadowed. An individual resolutely dogged
me. I had seen him previously but had taken no
serious notice of his presence. Now he began to get a
bit irksome. I bought some picture post-cards and
addressed them fo friends af home, announcing my
immediate return, also introducing brief comments
on the condition of things in Berlin as they appeared
to me. A few hours later I regretted a'iting those
post cards. 1
The Consulate was besieged by hundreds of com-
patriots thirsting for guidance as to what fo do. After
waiting an hour-and-a-half I secured an audience. I
briefly explained my position.
" Get home af once. The train leaves 1.13 mid-day."
Upon my return to England I made enquiries and discovered
that nota stngle one had been received. Undoubtedly they were
stopped by the German military authorities and contnbuted some-
what materially fo my subsequent troubles.H. C. BI.
ARRESTED AS A SPY 25
" But l've got luggage worth f4oo at the station ! "
" Get home ! "
" But"
" Leave your luggage where it is ! "
" Do you think-----? "
" You take the 1.13 train. Good morning."
Further enquiries convinced me that the 1.13 was
very likely to be the last train which would leave Berlin
for Britain, so I scurried off fo the station fo recover my
luggage. Many of the photographic instruments were
exceedingly valuable because they had been nade
specially. I was bandied from one official fo another.
At last I alighted upon one who knew something. He
led me fo a huge building and flung open the door. It
was stacked from roof fo roof with baggage, which had
been packed in without any semblance of order. I
surveyed the pile ruefully. I asked him if he could
trace my luggage but he shook his head. I held out a
tempting pourboire. It was of no avail. If I wanted
the luggage I could look for it myself. Reflecting that
some six weeks at least would be required to complete
the search I concluded that I should bave fo leave it
behind willy-nilly. So somewhat depressed I prepared
to leave by the 1.13 train.
The express was heavily laden and fo if was attached
a carriage reserved for the military, who were accom-
panying the departing Britishers fo the frontier. Cur-
iously enough, not one of us knew definitely what had
happened. Rumour was busy, but if was inconclusive.
The general feeling was that Britain had taken some
drastic action which must have serious results, otherwise
we should not have been bundled home so hurriedly.
We had been travelling some rime when I noticed a
lady sauntering along the corridor vainly searching for
a seat. I was comfortable, but I instantly surrendered
my place fo assume a standing position in the corridor
where I chatted with several fellow-travellers. I may
say that slung over my shoulder was a black leather
strap carrying a small camera case in the manner
26 FOUR GERIIAlq PRISONS
frequently affected by tourists. Ever after I bave
cursed that innocent looking camera caseæ and certainly
when travelling in the future will avour some other
means of carrying photographic apparatus.
About half-an-hour passed in this way. Then I
observed a young German ambling along the corridor.
He came up to us and entered into an idle conversation.
One by one the others dropped away rom him not
caring to tall with a German. I would have done the
saine but the strange youth would not let me. He
pinned me fo the spot with his conversation. Af first
his questions were extremely innocent, but they soon
became somewhat inquisitive and searching, and were
purposely directed to discover why I was travelling,
where I had been, how long I had been in Germany» and
so orth. As the conversation assumed this turn I came
to the alert. He was a typical German with all the
inexperience of youth, though he doubtless prided him-
self upon his powers of observation, deduction and
cross-examination by apparently idle questions. ]3ut
fo one and all of his interrogations I gave the retort
courteous. His pressing attentions did not escape the
notice of my ellow-travellers within earshot. Lootdng
out of the corner of my eye I saw that they did not regard
this questioning of mysel as being so innocent as it
appeared, lIany were apparently amiliar Sth Oerman
methods of inter-espionage and they extended me silent
warning, by sign, rown, and wink.
The raw youth disappeared and I orgot ail about him.
But to my surprise rive minutes later I saw him return-
ing along the corridor accompanied by a military oflïcial
whom he had evidently brought from the military
carriage attached to the train. They came straight up
to me. The youth pointing directly at me remarled.
" Here he is. See! There»s the camera on his
back ! "
The oflïcer looled at the strap and turning me round
caught sight of the camera case. He nodded in
acquiescence.
ARRESTED AS A SPY 2 7
"And I saw him using it," went on the youth
triumphantly. " He has been taking photographs of
the bridges and sentries along the line l "
I was distinctly amused at this charge because it
was absolutely untrue. But I was somewhat impressed
by the strange silence which had settlcd upon my fellow-
travellers and the inscrutable look upon the officer's
face. Something serious was evidently amiss. I turned
to the oftïcer.
" The accusation is absurd. Why! Look at the
windows ! They have been kept closed all the rime
according to the military orders. And you could hot
take a photograph through the closed windows even if
you wanted to. They are too begrimed with dirt."
The oftïcer did not say a word but continued to eye
me narrowly.
I began to feel uncomfortable before that piercing
gaze, so I decided to floor the aspiring detective working
so zealously for the Fatherland and to point out the
danger of jumping at conclusions. I turned to him :
" You say you saw me taking photographs ? "
" Yes, with that camera on your back;"
" You are quite sure ? "
" Yes ! "
I swung the case which had been so offensive to his
eyes round to the front of me.
" Now I'll ask you again. You are quite certain you
saw me taking photographs ? "
"' Ach! I distinctly saw you take the camera out
of the case, take the pictures, and then put it back
again ! " vas his rejoinder given with great emphasis.
I did not attempt to argue any further. I clicked the
catch of the case. The lid flew open. Both the
oftïcer and che youth craned forward expectantly, to
drawback, the oftïcer giving vent to a smothered ejacu-
lation.
The ca»sera case was [ull o[ cigarettes.
Being a heavy smoker I had stocked myself with
cigarettes with which I had filled the camera case. I
28 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
turned them out into my hands leaving the case
empty.
The youth's face was a study. He was so completely
trapped in his lying that he went all colours, while his
jaw dropped. My fellow passengers who had been
watching and listening in profound silence gave expres-
sion to uproarious mirth at the complete manner in
which the immature detective had been bowled out.
But their mirth was misplaced. A German resents dis-
comfiture. The officer, too, was not disposed fo throw
over his subordinate, who undoubtedly had been acting
in accordance with orders. Looking me steadily in the
face the officer placed his hand on my shoulder and in
cold tones said.
" I [ormally charge you with being a sçy in thc Ibay o]
the British Government .t "
CHAPTER II
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON
To say that I was completely dumbfounded by this
accusation is fo express my feelings very mildly. But,
with an effort, I succeeded in keeping my sang-/roid,
which I ara afraid only served fo convince the officer
that he was correct in his charge.
He assailed me with interrogations, demanded my
passport, and after perusing it closely, enquired vhy I
was travelling fo Russia at such a rime. " \Vhy ! " he
pointed out, " you only left England on August Ist,
when Russia and Germany were on the eve of war ! "
I gave a detailed explanation of my mission, but I
failed fo shake his suspicions. I had to surrender my
ticket for inspection and this caused him fo frown more
heavily than ever.
" Where is your camera ? "
I produced two which were in my pockets, keeping
my tiny companion in ifs secret resting place.
At the sight of the two cameras he gave a smile of
complete self-satisfaction. He handed them to the
guard together with my ticket. Turning on his heel
he remarked
"You'll ask for these articles when you reach
Wesel l"
As he strode clown the corridor the serious character
of my situation dawned upon me. My companions
had already formed their opinions concernlng my
immediate future. All thoughts of the war vanished
before a discussion of my awkward predicament. I
saw that the injunction fo make enquiry for my cameras
and ticket at Wesel, which is an important military
30 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
centre, was merely a ruse to prevent my escape. My
arrest at Wesel was inevitable.
I was carrying one or two other articles, such as a
revolver, about me. I saw that although they were
apparently harmless, and could be fully explained, they
would incriminate me only still more. I promptly got
rid of them. I had half-a-mind to discard my little
camera also, but somehow or other I could not bring
myself to part with this. I thought it might corne ia
useful. Moreover there was very little likelihood of it
being discovered unless I was stripped. So I left it
whcre it was. Afterwards I was thankful I acted upon
second thoughts on that occasion.
The outlook was certainly discouraging and when the
train stopped af Wesel--outside the station I after-
wards discovered--I acted on the impulse for self-
preservation, darted along the corridor, round a place
of concealment and tucked myself in. Now I realise
that this was the worst thing I could have done, but
then my thoughts were centred upon effecting my
escape, in the half-hope that the Germans, unable to
find me, would assume that I had surreptitiously left
thetrain.
But I misjudged German thoroughness, especially
when a suspected spy is the quarry. Fifteen, thirty,
fifty minutes slipped by and still the train did not move.
The other passengers were not being regarded kindly
at my non-appearance. So, stealing out of my hiding
place I sauntered as composedly as I could along the
corridor to corne face to face with the officer, who with
his guard was diligently searching every nook and
cranny and cross-questioning the other passengers.
Directly he caught sight of me he sprang forward, utter-
ing a command. The next instant I was surrounded
by soldiers. I was under arrest.
The ofiïcer gave a signal from a window and the train
pulled into the station. I was hustled unceremoniously
on to the platform, where eight soldiers closed around
me to form an escort and I was marched forward. As
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 31
we crossed the platform the locomotive whistle shrieked,
and about 9.30 p.m. the last train to leave Berlin on
the outbreak of war bore my companions homewards.
Personally I ,vas disposed to regard the whole
episode as a joke, and an instance of Tcuton blind
blundering. The gravity of the situation nevcr struck
me for an instant. I argued with myself that I should
speedily prove that I was the victim of circumstances
and would be able to convince the military of my
bona rides without any great effort.
But as I reflected it dawned upon me that my arrest
had been skilfully planned. The youth on the train,
whom I never saw again, had played but a minor part
in the drama of which I was the central figure. My
departure must have been communicated from Berlin.
Otherwise how should Wesel have learned that a spy
had been arrested ? The station was besieged with a
wildly shouting excited crowd who bawled :
" English spy ! English spy ! Lynch him ! Lynch
him ! "
I was bundled into a military office which had
evidently been hurriedly extemporised from a lumber
room. The crowd outside increased in denseness and
hostility. They were shouting and raving vith all
the power of their lungs. These vocal measures prov-
ing inadequate, stones and other missiles commenced
to fly. They could not see through the windows of the
room so an accurately thrown brick shivered the pane
of glass. Through the open space I caught glimpses
of the most ferocious and fiendish faces it has ever been
my lot to witness. Men and women vied with one
another in the bawling and ground their teeth when they
caught sight of me.
The excitement was intense and the chant" Bring him
out l Give him to us! Let us lynch him! Down
with the English spy ! " even began to grate upon me.
At the time it appeared to me tobe somewhat extra-
ordinary, seeng that we were not at war with Germany,
but it conveyed a graphic illustration of the anti-British
32 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
sentiment prevailing in the military centre. Indeed,
the crowd became so menacing that my guard became
apprehensive of my safety, and I ,vas hurriedly thrust
into an inner room. My removal there was more abrupt
than dignified. I was hustled to the door. Then a
German soldier, by an adroit movement of Iris rifle which
he held reversed, pricked my leg with the bayonet and
at the same rime brought the butt against my head with
a resounding, thwack ! Simultaneously he let drive with
his heavily-booted foot in the small of my back. I dis-
covered afterwards, from actual experience, that this
is a very favourite movement of the rifle by the
Germans, and is used on every possible occasion.
The outcome of this action was to send me sprawling
headlong into the room to pull up with a crash against
the floor. The entrance was rendered additionally
dangerous to myself because I stumbled over the legs
of several sleeping soldiers. I felt inclined to remon-
strate with the oflïcer-in-charge of the escort at the treat-
ment I was receiving, but the uninviting armed sentry
at the door frustrated my efforts very effectively.
It was an improvised guard-room. The soldiers
sprawled upon the straw littering the floor, striving to
snatch a brief test belote going on duty, sleepily raised
themselves to ascertain the cause of the disturbance.
The sentry told them excitedly the charge upon which I
had been arrested, at which the men turned to blink
wonderingly upon the " Englandische Spion ! " I was
hot sorry when they at last wearied of gazing upon me
as if I were a freak side-show, and sank down to finish
their two hours' test before going on guard once more.
I had barely recovered my senses when the door again
flew open and two further prisoners were injected into th
room in a manner comparable with my own entrance.
They were Hindoo students--young fellows returning
to England after a continental holiday, who had been
detained. Both were somewhat alarmed, but I speedily
composed them. Later there was a repetition of the
performance to adroit three more Indian students. We
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 33
all agreed that the German methods of introduction were
decidedly novel and forceful if informal and unpleasant.
The latest arrivals, however, were detained for only a
short while. They were rich in funds and were equally
astute in their distribution of largesse fo advantage.
Money talked in their instance fo distinct effect. The
three of us who were left maintained a conversation
in whispers and finally came fo the conclusion that the
best thing we could do was fo seek sleep so as fo be fit
for the enquiry which was certain to take place.
I was dog-tired, but the authorities, as represcnted
by the sentries, were not disposed fo let us enjoy what
they were denied. The guard was constantly changing
and the clattering and rasping of orders and commands
repeatedly woke us up. Then again, at frequent inter-
vals, the sentry would enter. Seeing me asleep he
would either give me a prod with his bayonet or a smart
rap with the butt-end of his rifle fo wake me up, the
idea no doubt being to impress upon me the serious
nature of my position and fo inflict upon me the utmost
discomfort.
Being prevented from sleeping and commencing fo feel
the pangs of hunger, having eaten nothing since lunch
upon the train, I asked for something to eat. The
sentry was very sorry but related that food was quite
out of the question because none of the officers in charge
of me from whom he could obtain the necessary
instructions were available.
The absence of the ocers was explained a little
later. They had been searching for an interpreter,
so that I might be put through another inquisition.
This interpreter was about the most incompetent of his
class that one could wish to meet. His English was
C
34 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
execrable--far worse than Chinese pidginJand he had
an unhappy and disconcerting manner of intermingling
German and English words, while either through a
physical defect or from some other cause, he could not
pronounce his consonants correctly.
I was taken through the usual rigmarole such as I
had at first experienced at Goch. The evidence also,
as usual, was committed to paper. It was a perfunc-
tory enquiry, however, and was soon completed.
Naturally upon its conclusion I considered that I would
be free to resume my ]ourney. I.turned to my inter-
pretcr.
" Now this is all over I suppose I can go ? "
'" Ach !nein zoo tant doh ! "
His Englfsh was so vile that I thought he said and
meant " ah ! at nine you can go ! "
Seeing that it was about eleven o'clock at the rime, I
thought I had better hurry in case there was another
Flushing-bound train. So I scuttled towards the door
only to receive another heavy clout from the sentry's
rifle. What the interpreter really said was '" Ah ! No,
you can't go ! " As I rubbed my bruised head I treated
that interpreter to a candid opinion of his English speak-
ing qualifications, but he did not understand half what
I said.
As I realised nothing further could be done that night
I lay down to snatch another test. But after midnight
my trials and troubles increased. Every few minutes
the door would rattle and be clanked open to adroit an
otficer who had brought a number of friends to see the
latest sensation--the English spies. The friends, who
were brother-otficers, regarded us àth a strange interest,
while the otficer who had charge of me strutted to and
fro like a peacock drawn to his full height, at the unique
greatness thrust upon him, and dwelling at great length
upon the enormity of out offence related a weird story
about my capture.
Upon such occasions I and my two Hindoo coin-
panions were compelled to stand at attention. At
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 35
first I regarded the incident with amusement, but after
we had been through the circus-like performance about
a dozen rimes, it became distinctly irksome, especially
as I was dog-tired. If was with the greatest diflïculty
I maintained my self-control.
About four o'clock in the morning I heard voices
in the adjoining room. Evidently someone in authority
had arrived. I decided to seize the opportunity to
ecure an interview with one who at least would be able
4o give me some satisfaction. I moved smartly towards
the door. The sentry lowered his rifle, but I evaded th
bayonet, I saw a flash and then ail was darkness.
Some time later I woke up. I was lying at full length
upon the floor and my head was singing like a kettle,
while it ached fearfully. I opened my eyes but for some
minutes could descry nothing but stars. As I came
round I made out the dim forms of the two Hindoo stu-
dents bending over me. They were extremely agitated,
but their peace of mind became restored somewhat when
I at last sat up. Then they explained what had hap-
pened. After I had dodged the bayonet the soldier had
swung his rifle round bringing the butt end smartly
down upon my head and had knocked me silly. From
the pain I suffered and the size of the lump which I could
feel I tacitly agreed that I had received a pretty smart
rap.
I felt round for the tin of cigarettes which I had
extemporised to forma pillow belote the incident, but
was suddenly reminded that smoking was very much
verboten. Regarding the tin longingly I absent-mind-
edly opened it. To my surprise I round that the fifty
cigarettes which it had origlally contained had
dwindled down to one! I looked at the sentry and
smiled quietly to myself. Rising to my feet I held out
the open tin to him.
"' You've been helping yourself while I bave been
asleep and I think you might as well take the last one,"
I muttered sarcastically.
The phlegmatic sentry looked at me cunningly. His
36 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
face lapsed into a broad grin. Growling " danker ! "
(thank you ! ) he calmly took it and lighted up. From
this incident I discovered that even a thick-skulled, dull-
witted German infantryman has a bump of humour.
The din which still reigned around the station told
me that the crowd vas impatient to see me. In Iact
Bedlam appeared to have been let loose. The nevs of
my capture had spread through Wesel like wildfire,
and public animosity and hostility towards me had risen
to fever-heat. During the night the crowd had swollen
considerably, and it clung tenaciously fo the station in
the hope of having some glorious fun at my expense.
At six o'clock an officer entered with one or
two subordinates and a squad of soldiers. Certain
formalities had to be gone through in which I played
a prominent part. These completed the oflïcer stood
before me with all the pomposity he could command
and delivered a harangue af high speed in a worrying
monotone. To me it was gibberish, but one of the
men who could speak English informed me that the
gist of his wail was the intimation that " if I moved a
pace fo the right, or a pace to the left, or fell back
a pace, or hurried a pace during the match to the Wesel
Arresthaus--Wesel Prison--I would be shot down
immediately." I mentally decided fo obey the in-
junction fo the absolute letter, and must adroit that
never before or since during my life bave I walked
such a straight line.
With four soldiers behind with lowered bayonets,
four in front and two on either side we moved out of
the station. The clock was chiming seven, but the
droning of the clock was drowned by the howls of
rage, snarlings, screeches, shrieks and groans of fury
which went up from the mob the moment they caught
sight of us. Despite my self-control I winced.
Directly we gained the roadway an ugly rush
was ruade. I thought I was doomed to be torn
limb from limb, for I was overwhelmed by a sea of
itching hands, shaking fists, and gnashing teeth.
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 37
The escort wavered and was all but overwhelmed.
Although it quivered ominously before the mob
assault it stood its ground. Swinging their rifles over
their heads the soldiers lashed out vith the butt-ends.
A sharp order rang out. We turned about and hastily
returned to the station. Here the oflïcer delnanded a
double escort, which was granted, and we ruade
another attempt to reach the Arresthaus.
But the increased parade of military power only
served to infuriate the crowd still more. "fhey surged,
swayed, and pressed, and howled, groaned, and shrieked
as if bereft. Baulked in thcir desire to snatch us from
the soldiers they began to fling missiles of all descrip-
tions. Fortunately they were too excited to throw
with pronounced accuracy, although my two Hindoo
companions and I were struck several rimes with
vegetables. Then a bottle came singing through the
air. I ducked, but it struck the soldier beside me full
on the side of the face to shatter into a score of pieces.
The blow was so terrific as to cause a gaping wound
in the soldier's face, extending from his temple to his
chin. The blood spurted out. The wounded man
saluted, and requested the ofiïcer to permit him to
drop out to bave his wound dressed. But the officer
curtly refused, and so the unfortunate soldier was
compelled to walk, or rather to stumble, beside me,
the blood pouring from his lacerated face.
As we turned into the square immediately facing
the entrance to the prison I blanched. The mob
which had gathered here was so dense, and was lashed
to such a high pitch of vicious fury, that I felt con-
vinced we should have to succumb to overwhelming
numbers. The air was thick with missiles, and the
soldiers suffered severely, although we three prisoners
were hot ofterl struck. The soldiers tolerated the
fusillade with the best grace they could command for
some rime, but even their endurance had its limits,
and at last they turned. But the crowd was by no
means daunted. By hook or by crook they intended
38 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
to prevent us reaching the prison, and, they having
closed behind us, we were completely hemmed in.
,« Our last chance! Give them to us! English
spies t Seize them, comrades ! Lynch them ! Lynch
them 1" were the coarse cries which rang out xàthout
ceasing.
It was a thrilling and critical moment. The mass
of screaming men and women was now so dense that
we could hOt more. The soldiers could no longer
evcn swing their rifles. The outstretched hands of
the mob were snapping and tearing within an inch or
two of my coat. Had I swayed a trifle they must
have grasped me.
A shrill whistle rang out. The prison door was
flung open and a number of soldiers came out at the
double with arms lowered, while the oflîcers were
waving their swords. The crowd around the entrance
fcll back, and the next moment a passage was being
cleaved through the mass of raving humanity. This
sudden appearance of extra force created a diversion
of which out escort took advantage. We slipped
through the gap which had been cut in the crowd, and
the next moment were in the prison. As the gare
closed with a resounding bang I gave a sigh of relief.
We were sale from mob violence whatever other rate
might be in store for us. Personally, although I passed
through many exciting experiences subsequently, and
was often a victim of Prussian brutality, I regard
that match from the station to the prison at Wesel as
the most dangerous few minutes which I have ever
encountered.
We were promptly taken into an office and subjected
to another inquisition. The questions were merely
repetitions of those I had already answered half-a-
dozen rimes previously. Then I was submitted to my
second search. I was ordered to throw my hands
above my head, a bayonet point being held at rny
stomach to cnforce the command. Searchers went
adroitly through my pockets, taking everything which
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 39
they contained. These included a batch of letters
which I had received just before starting from home,
and which I had thrust into iny pockct fo rcad at
leisure during the j ourney.
These letters provoked a considerable amount of
whispering, head-sha "king, wise smiles, and significant
noddings. No one could read a word of English--
but that was immaterial. In the wisdom of their
conceit these inquisitors considered the communica-
tions to be fully incriminating, and the frequent
recurrence of the word " Russia " in the letters con-
vinced them that my guilt was now fully and truly
established beyond a shadow of a doubt. The various
articles were carefully wrapped up and tied with blue
ribbon. Knowing the significance of red-tape at home,
I concluded that this was the trussian analogue of
out official preference. Afterwards, however, I was
told that " blue " ribbon was employed for a specific
purpose--the sealing of articles and goods belonging
to one arrested on the charge of espionage. How far
this is true I do hot know, but I did observe that in
every instance blue ribbon was employed to secure the
parcels belonging to spies.
My two cameras were regarded with reverent awe.
As they were being examined I urged them to be
careful. I suggested that they should allow me to
develop the films, but this proposal was regarded with
consternation and emphatic negative head-shakings.
The autholdties would see to that.
Suddenly there was intense excitement. One of the
searchers had drawn a watch-like contrivance from
my waistcoat pocket. It was hot a watch, because it
had no dial or works, but something which was quite
foreign to them. First they dropped it as if fearing
it might explode. Then finding that the fall brought
about no ill-effects they approached it warily, picked
if up gingerly, and held it to their ears. It did hOt
tick. Then they shook it, banged it on the desk,
studied it closely with a wise, old-owlish look, and at
4 ° FOUR GERlXIAN PRISONS
last, shaking their heads quizzically, consigned if to
wrapping paper and sealed it with the blue ribbon.
Despite my serious predicament I could not refrain
ffoln indulging in an outburst of laughter which only
served fo annoy them still further. The mystery
was nota new type of infernal machine as they imagined
but mercly a home-made actinometer! It was
contrived from an old cheap watch-case, while the
strange contents were merely strips of paper which had
been soaked in a solution of potassium bichromate !
These preliminaries completed, my two companions
and I were paraded before another pompous oflïcial
'ho, likê the majority of his ilk, was smothered with
decorations. Drawing himself fo his full height he
fired a tirade at us for several minutes without taking
the slightest pause for breath. What it was ail about
I do not know. He spoke so rapidly, and so in the style
of a gramophone, that I came to the conclusion he was
in the habit of holding forth in this strain at intervals
of every few minutes. But his manner was so
mcnacing as to lead me to apprehend that no Ieelings
of affection or hospitality were to be extended towards
IlS.
His speech completed, he shouted an order. Soldiers
hurried in, and at the word of command they
commenced to load their rifles. I was quite at a loss
to understand this action, but my heart thumped and
a queer, indescribable feeling came over me. I felt
sick and faint, especially when I saw the men, upon
completing loading, form up in two lines. Like a
flash it davned upon me that according to German
military forrn I had been round guilty of the charge
levelled against me, and that the harangue of the
pompous individual was no more or less than the
promulgation of my death sentence! For what else
could these men have loaded their rifles so ostentatiously ?
And why were there so many soldiers ? Their numbers
plainly indicated the firing party.
My eyes grew dira with tears in spite of myself.
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 41
Visions of my wife and family at home, waiting and
momentarily expecting " Daddy," who had notified
them of his return, flitted through my brain. A lump
rose in my throat and for the first rime I was within an
ace of breaking-down. But smothering my thoughts,
I pulled myself together. Assuming a bravado I was
far froln feeling, I demanded to see the Commandant.
To my surprise the request was granted. This function-
ary was seated at his desk in a corner of the room, and
I was escorted fo him. Seeing me he curtly demanded
what I wanted.
" Can I oEite to my wife ? "
The officer who accompanied me explained the
situation, and although I did not understand what
transpired I caught the words " Englische Spion!"
The Commandant glared at me.
" Where is she ? " he roared.
" In England ! "
" England ! " and the word, full of venom and hate,
burst out like the cork from a pop-gun. " Nein!
Certainly not! It is impossible ! Get out ! "
Assisted by a vigorous prod I was brought alongside
my two companions.
The soldiers lined up to march. My head was
swimming, but all thoughts of my own plight were
dispelled by an incident which was as unexpected as
it was sudden. At the command " March " one of
the two Indian students, positive that he was now
going to his doom, staggered. I caught him as he
fell. He dropped limply to the ground, half-dead with
fright, and with his face a sickly green.
"Are we going tobe shot? Are we going tobe
shot ? " he wailed agonisedly.
He clutched the sleeve of a soldier, who, looking
down and evidently understanding English, motioned
negatively. Then he added as an afterthought,
" Not now ! "
\Vhile his negative head-shake revived my drooping
spirits, his words afterwards sent them to zero once
42 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
more. I hardly knew whether to feel relieved or
otherwise. It would have been far better had the
soldier curbed his tongue, because his final words kept
us on the rack of suspense.
We were hust]ed out of the room. As we passed
out I glanced at the clock. It was just nine o'clock--
Tuesday morning, August 4. I shall never forget the
day nor the hour. Like sheep we were driven and
rushed downstairs, the guards assisting out faltering
steps with sundry rifle prods and knocks. We tramped
corridors, which seemed tobe interminable, and at
last canle to a ponderous iron gare. Here we were
halted, and the military guard handed us over to the
gaolers. We passed through the gares, which closed
with a soul-smashing, reverberating bang.
Over the top of this gare I had noticed one of those
mottoes to which the German is so partial. I do hot
recall the actual words, but I was told that it was
something to do with crime and punishment. It
would have been far more appropriate had it been
inscribed "Main entrance to Hell. No pass-out
checks ! " According to many accounts which reached
my ears during the succeeding few days, many entered
those gates, but few passed out alive. I can sub-
stantiate this from my own observations, which are
duly narrated, while my experience was suflïcient to
vouch for its similarity to Hades.
This gate gave approach to a long corridor, flanked
on either side by cells. This corridor is facetiously
nick-named by the prisoners as " Avenue of the
Damned," because it is in these cells that the tenants
await their doom. I was separated from my two
companions, who were already being treated more
leniently than myself, the case against them being
obviously very rhin, and was brought to a stop belote
cell " No. II."
The massive door swung open, and accompanied by
four soldiers I entered. The door closed, there was a
grating in the lock, and we were alone. Even now I
COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 43
could hot keep back a smile. Although I had been
thrust into the cell, together with four armed soldiers,
and the door had been bolted and barred, I turned at
the ound of a slight click. The head gaoler, who had
ushered us in and had locked the door upon us,
according fo the regulations of the prison, had
opened the peep-hole to satisfy himself that I was
safely inside t
CHAPTER III
IIOW GERMANY DRIVES HER PRISONERS MAD
TtlE soldiers had accompanied me into the cell fo
complete the preliminaries which comprised the final
search. This involved my transition to a state of
nature. My frock coat was removed and all pockets
furthcr examined. The seams and lining were closely
investigated while even the buttons were probed to
make ccrtain they concealed nothing of a dangerous
nature. In a few minutes they discovered my silent
companion, the tiny camera, which I had deftly
removed from its secret hiding-place to a rail pocket
in my coat, as I did not wish to have it round in its
hiding-place, which would bave been far more incrimin-
ating. I had done this while coming down the steps
fo the cells. Also I had extracted the exposed film
and had placed this in a spot where it was absolutely
sale from discovcry.
When the soldiers alighted upon the instrument
they were sorely puzzled. All my pockets had been
turned inside out in the room upstairs and now this
camera had been brought to light. They shook their
heads completely baffled, and looked at me meaningly.
But my face was inscrutable.
Every garment was subjected fo a rigorous search.
Yet beyond the camera they round nothing. Certainly
no papers were brought to light. There was no mis-
taking their bitter disappointment ; this was plainly
written upon their faces. My watch was prized open,
and the works were turned out, while a photograph
of my wife and children was torn from the back case
fo make certain there was nothing concealed belliad
44
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 45
it. My shirt was turned over and over and held up
to the light to be examined inch by inch for any traces
of secret writing. But all to no purpose. From their
mortification and behaviour I surmised that they had
been promised a monetary reward if they succeeded
in finding anything in writing. And now they were
destined to go empty-handed. Thereupon, afler laying
their heads together for a few seconds, they drew
pencil and paper from their pockets and commenced
writing.
I was suspicious of this action. To me it was
palpable that, animated by the lure of money an,1 ioiled
in their efforts, they vere prepared to go e length
of concocting evidence against me. At ledit I thought
so, and summarily frustrated their action. I went
to them and by the aid of signs dcmonstrated that I
wanted the paper torn up, or I would ring the emer-
gency bell and summon the head gaoler to explain
matters. They apparently did not relish my threat,
because they instantly tore the paper to shreds.
By the rime their search vas completed I was stripped
to the skin. But I was not permitted to re-dress.
Evidently they concluded that I might have pockets
in my epidermis because they went over me, inch by
inch, resorting to actions which were wholly unnecessary
and which were revolting, degrading, and demoralising
to the last degree--such actions as one would hardly
expect even from the lowest animals. During the
process they j oked and gibed freely at my expense.
Although it was with the utmost difficulty I controlled
my feelings, my blood soon began to boil, rapidly
rising to fever heat, when they descended to familiari-
ries and personalities which flesh and blood could not
stand. I suffered their indignities as long as I could.
Then unable to contain my rage any longer I threw
myself at the leader of the party, pitching into him
vith all the strength I could command. I pommelled
him unmercifully with my fists and he began to howl
somewhat vociferously. His comrades were too sur-
4 6 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
prised af my unexpected rebellion fo extend assistance,
until af last thcir dull wits took in the situation.
I caught a glimpse of ont of the soldiers grasping his
rifle. I sav it flash in the air--I remembered no more.
When I awoke I was lying stark naked upon the
floor of my cell. My head was racking and throbbing
like a hammer. Raising my hand to my forehead I
sharply withdrew it. It was quite wet, and as I looked
more closely, I saxv that it was blood. I felt again
and found my face clotted and my hair reeking wet
from a ragged wound on the head. Evidently the
soldier whose rifle I had seen swinging through the
air, had brought it down heavily upon my skull,
felling me like an ox. How long I had lain unconscious
I never knev, but it must bave been for some rime,
iudging from the quantity of blood I had lost, which
was partially congealed on my face, neck and shoulders.
I shivered with the cold and collecting my senses
I commenced fo dress my wound. For bandages I
had to tear my shirt to ribbons. I swabbed the ragged
vound as well as I could, and then bound it up. Weary
and faint from loss of blood I dressed myself with
extreme difficulty and then proceeded to examine my
present abode.
We are familiar with the cramped quarters at the
Tower of London into which our medieval sovereigns
were wont to thrust our ancestors who fell foul of
authority. Wesel Prison is the German counterpart
of our famous quondam fortress-prison. The cells
are little, if any, larger than those in the Tower, and
are used to this day. Iy residence measured about
nine feet in length by about four and a half feet in
width, and was approximately ten feet in height--
about the size of the entrance hall in an average small
suburban residence. High up in the wall was a -indow
some two feet square. But it admitted little or no
daylight. It was heavily barred, while outside
was a sloping hood which descended fo a point well
below the sill, so that ail tàe light which penetrated
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 47
into the cell was reflected from bclow against the black
interior of the hood. In addition there was a glazed
window, filthy dirty, while even the slight volume of
light which it permitted to pass was obstructed
further by small-mesh wire nctting. Consequently
the interior was wrapped in a dismal gloom throughout
the greater part of the day, through which one could
scarcely discern the floor when standing upright.
After daylight vaned the cell was enveloped in Cim-
lnerian blackness until daybrcak, no lights bcing
permitted.
The bed comprised three rough wooden planks, void
of all covering and mattrcss, and raised a fcw inchcs
above the floor. The other appointmcnts were cx-
ceedingly meagre, consisting of a small jug and basin
as well as a small sanitary pan. High on the wall was
a broken shclf. That was all. The wall itself was
about two feet in thickness and wrought of masonry.
The -alls themselves were covered with inscriptions
written and scratched by those who had been doomed
to this depressing domicile. Some of the drawings
were beautifully executed, but the majority of the
inscriptions testified, far more eloquently than words
can describe, to the utter depravity of many of those
who had preceded me, and who had passed their last
span of lire on this earth within these confines.
A few minutes sufficed to take in these general
features. Then my attention was riveted upon the
floor, and this told a silent, poignant story which it
would be difficult to parallel. The promenade was
less than nine feet--in fact, it was only two tull paces
mand barely twelve inches in width. Consequently
the occupant, as he paced to and fro, trod always upon
the saine spots. And the patterings of the feet in
that short walk had worn the board into hollows at
the treads. I felt those hollows vith my hands, traced
their formation, and despite my unhappy plight
could not refrain from inusing upon the stories which
those hollows could relatestories of abandoned hope,
48 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
frenzy, madness, resignation, suppressed fury, and
pathetic awaiting of the doom which could not be
averted.
Those hollows exercised an irresistible fascination
for me, and when I started to walk they drew my feet
as certainly as the magnet attracts the iron filings.
I would strive fo avoid the hollows and for a few seconds
would succeed, but within a short rime my feet fell
into them. Later I learned from one of my wardens
that the pacings of the criminals condemned to this
and the other cells is so persistent and ceaseless as
fo demand the renewal of the boards at frequent
intervals.
In the United States the third degree has attained a
rcvolting iii-faine. But the American third degree
must be paradise in comparison with what can only be
described as ifs equivalent in Germany. The Teuton
method is far more effective and brutal. The man is
not badgered, coaxed, and threatened in the hope of
extorting a signed confession, but he is condemned
fo lo,leliness, silence and solitude amid a gloom which
can be felt, and which within a short rime eats into
your very soul. Add to this complete deprivation of
exercise and insufficient un-nourishing, food, and one can
gather some faint idea of the effect which is -rought
upon the human body. The German idea is to wear
down a man physically as well as mentally, until af
last he is brought fo the verge of insanity and collapse.
By breaMng the bodily strength and undermining the
mind he is reduced to such a deplorable condition as
to tender him as pliable as putty in the hands of his
accusers. He is rendered absolutely incapable of
defending himself. He fails to realise what is said
against him or the significance of his own words.
His brain is the first to succumb fo the strain, utter
loneliness speedily conducing fo this result, aggravated
by a sensation which is produced by walking the cell,
and which I U describe later. Consequently he
invariably achieves with his om mouth what his
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 49
persecutors desire--his own condemnation. To make
their devilry complete German justice rcsorts to a
final phase which seals the fate of the poor wretch
irrevocably, as I will narrate.
I had been deprived of every belonging. I was denied
paper, pencil and reading material. Solitary confine-
ment in Germany is carried out in strict accordance
with the interpretation of the term. One is left alone
with one's thoughts. At intervals of ten minutes the
gaoler opens the peep-hole and peers within. Conse-
quently you are under constant surveillance, and this
contributes towards the unhinging of the mind, Night
and day, without a break, the peep-hole opens with
mechanical regularity. Not only is all mental exercise
denied but physical exercise as well. All that one can
do towards stretching one's limbs is to pace the tiny
cell. The method is typically Prussian, and is com-
plete in its Prussian thoroughness and devilishness.
I sat down upon my bed with my bleeding, aching
head in my hands, an object of abject misery. Not
a sound beyond the clanging of doors was to be heard,
punctuated at frequent intervals by the dull thud
of blows, as some hapless oEetch was being clubbed,
the shrieks and howls of prisoners, and the groans of
those on the verge of insanity. It was just as if all
the demons of the Nether Regions were at work
worrying and harrying their victims. While rocking
myself to and fro I heard the turning of the key. Thê
gaoler entered with a bowl containing some evil-looking
and worse smelling soup. I ventured to speak, but
he merely glowered threateningly and departed without
uttering a sound. The dinner was revolting, but
recognising that I was considered to be a criminal,
and as such was condemned to prison rare I ventured
to taste the nauseous skilly. I took one mouthful
My nose rebelled at the smell and my stomach rose
into my throat at the taste. One sip was more than
adequate, so I pushed the basin to one side. I threw
myself uport the plank bed. Ten minutes later the
D
50 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
peep-hole opened. I took no notice but started when
a gruff voice roared " Get up ! "
I ignored the command. The door opened and the
guard came in. He gave me a savage prod with his
rifle. I sat up.
" Get up ! Pace ! " he roared.
I relapsed on te my bed without a murmur only te
receive a resounding clout which set my head throbbing
once more with accentuated intensity.
" Get np! Pace ! " came the roar again.
The guard pointed te the floor.
I saw what was expected of me. I was te walk te
and fro up and down the cell. I was net te be allowed
te sit down. \Vearily I got up and started te" pace ! "
One--twolsteps forward : one--two--steps back !
Only that and no more. The guard watched me for
a few seconds and then went out.
I continued te de his bidding for a short while, but
walking two paces, then swinging round on the heels,
taking two more strides, turning round again, te make
another two steps, soon brought on violent giddiness.
But that doesn't marrer te the German. \Vithin a few
nlinutes I felt as if I had been spun round like a top
and stumbled rather than paced. But te stumble
was te court disaster because my ankles came into
violent contact with the plank bed. Again I had te
keep my thoughts centred upon the pacing. Te allow
them te stray was te essay a third step inadvertently
which brought my face into violent collision with the
wall. More than once I ruade my nose bleed copiously
frein this cause.
Within a few minutes my brain was whirling madly,
my head throbbed frein my wound, while my face
was bruised frein colliding with the wall. I was se
giddy that I could net stand erect, while my eyes burned
and ached as if they had been seared vith a red-hot
iron. I fell upon the plank bed, but open flew the
peep-hole and again rang out the ominous growl,
" Pace !"
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 51
And this is vhat I was condemned to do hour after
hour through the livelong day. The only respire
cornes when meals are brought in and during the night,
when the prisoner is left alone. But throughout the
day, from 6.30 in the morning to about 7 at night
one must pursue the eternal round--two paces for-
ward, right about, two paces back, right about, and
so on. The punishment cannot be escaped ; it is not
suspended for illness until collapse cornes fo the relief
of the hapless wretch. It is a refinement of cruelty
which probably is not fo be found in any other country.
Little wonder that the continued dizziness and lack
of ability fo stretch the limbs bring about a complete
nervous prostration and reduce the strongest man to
a physical wreck within a very short rime. And
if the hapless prisoner declines fo answer the
stern command " Pace!" then bayonet prodding,
clubbing and head-cuffing are brought into action as
a stimulant.
Ages seemed fo bave passed belote the door opened
again, although as a marrer of fact, there is only about
4½ hours between the mid-day and the afternoon meals.
I lost all account of rime, even during the first day of
my incarceration. An hour's pacing seemed like weeks.
This rime the gaoler brought me another basin con-
taining a greenish liquid, very much like the water in
which cabbages are cooked, accompanied by a hunk
of black bread.
The method of serving the meals is distinctly German.
The gaoler opens the door. He places the food on the
ground at the entrance and pushes it along the floor
into the cell as if the inmate were a leper. I tasted
this repast, but if was even more noisome than the
dinner, so I placed it beside the bowl which I had first
received, and which with ifs spoon was left vith me.
Even if one could bave swallowed it I should not bave
received a very sustaining meal, seeing that it had to
suflîce until 5.30 the next morning--I3 hours without
food. Moreover the food is served out sparingly. It is
52 FOUR GERIIAN PRISONS
hot designed fo nourish the frame, but is just sufficient
to keep it going though with depreciating strength.
Daylight waned to give way to the blackness of night
and in my cell I could hot see my hand before my
face. Yet darkness was not an unmitigated evil. It
did bring relief from the enforced pacing for which
I was dcvoutly thankful. Although torn Sth hunger I
was so exhausted as to jump at the opportunity to lie
clown, t3ut the planks were hard, and being somewhat
slcnder in build my thighs speedily became sore. lly
brain from the fiendish exercise refused to stop spinning.
I was like a drunken man and to lie dom was to provoke
a fceling of nausca which was worse than pacing.
Then as the night wore on I began to shiver with the
cold because I was denied any covering. How I passed
the first night I cannot recall, but I ara certain that a
grcatcr part of the rime passed in delirium, and I almost
cried ith delight when I saxv the first rays of the break-
ing day filter through the window. They at least
did modify the terrible darkness.
At 5.30 in the morning along came the gaoler. The
cell was opened and a broom was thrust into my banals.
To me that domestic utensil was as a new toy to a child.
I grasped it ith delight : it at least would give me some
occupation. I set to sweeping the cell furiously. I
could bave enjoyed the company of that broom for hours,
but a prisoner is only allowed two minutes to sweep his
cell. Then the broom was snatched out of my hands
and to the droning of " Pace ! " which rang out con-
tinually like the tolling of a funeral bell, I knew the
next day had begun.
I fell back on to my bed almost broken at heart at
being deprived of the humble broom, t3ut by now the
significance of German solitary confinement had been
brought home to me fully. I would hot be broken.
I would ward off the terrible results at all hazards.
So when the gaoler came with my breakfast he round
me in high spirits--assumed for the occasion I may say.
When he pushed in the basin of skilly I picked it up
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 53
and set if beside the others. Pointing fo the row of
untouched food I turned fo him cynically and remarked,
" Don't you think you're making too much fuss of
rrle ? "
" Ach !" he growled in reply.
" If you persist in going on like this I shall think I
ara in a nursing home!"
"Ach ! " he retorted sharply, " If you think you are
in a nursing home you'll soon change your mind,"
saying which he slammed the door with extra vigour.
The only interlude fo the daily round is shortly
after sweeping cells. The doors are thrown open and
each prisoner, armed with his water jug and sauitary
pan, forms up in line in the corridor. ïhey are spaced
two paces apart and this distance must be rigorously
maintained. If you vary it a fraction a smart rap
over the head with the rifle brings you back again
to the correct position. The German warders never
attempt to correct by words. The rifle is a handy
weapon and a slnart knock therewith is always forceful.
Consequently, if you are dull of comprehension, your
body speedily assumes a zebra appearance with its
patches of black and blue.
We were marched off to a huge yard flanked by a
towering wall studded with hundreds of heavily barred
windows--cells. Only those resident in the " Avenue
of the Damned " experience this limited latitude, the
ordinary prisoners being extended the privilege of
ordinary exercise. Not a word must be spoken; to
do so is to invite a crash over the head, insensibility
being an effective protection against communication
between prisoners.
Reaching the yard we were lined up, still two paces
apart and under the hawk-eyes of the guard. Then the
first man from one end advanced to the pump, alongside
which stood two soldiers with fixed bayonets with which
the man was prodded if he evinced signs of lingering
or dwelling unduly over his work. The duty involved
cleaning out the sanitary pan, in which by the way
54 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
dependence had fo be placed upon the hands alone,
no mop or cloth being allowed. Then the jug had to be
refilled from the pump, which was a crazy old appliance
worked by hand. I may say that so far as we prisoners
residing in the ill-famed avenue were concerned we
had to depend upon water entirely for washing purposes
msoap was an unheard-of luxurywwhile a towel was
unknown. Under these circumstances it was impos-
sible to keep clean. Shaving was another pleasure
which we were denied, and I may say that the prisoners
residing in the salubrious neighbourhood of the con-
demned cells had the most unkempt and ragged appear-
ance it is possible to conceive. When the man had
finished his task he marched to the opposite end of the
line, his place being immediately taken by the next
man, and so on until the work was completed, which
usually involved about ten minutes.
Although intercourse was rendered impossible by
the vigilance and number of the guards yet I was able
to take stock of my neighbours. We were a small
but cosmopolitan family, the French predominating.
For some inscrutable reason the Germans appear fo bave
been unusually successful in their haul of French spies,
although doubtless the great majority were as innocent
of the charge of espionage as I was. Yet we were a
motley throng and I do hot think any self-respecting
tramps would bave chummed up with us. Many of
my fellow prisoners bore unmistakable evidences of
premature old age--the fruits of solitary confinement,
lack of exercise, and insufficient food. Others seemed
half-witted and dazed as a restflt of the brutal treat-
ment which they had received. Some were so weak
that they could scarcely manipulate the crazy pump.
Nany were garbed only in trousers, being void of boots,
socks, shirts and vest. Unkempt beards concealed
rhin, worn and haggard faces studded with red bloodshot
eyes.
While I was waiting in the line my attention was
arrested by one man, who formed a member of out
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 55
party. He was a German, but he did not appear as
if he had been guilty of any heinous crimenat lcast
not one of sufficient calibre to bring him into our Avenue.
He was well built, of attractive personality, and was
well dressed in a blue suit complete with clean collar,
tie and other details.
Whowashe? Whatwashedoingwith us? Was
he a spy ? My curiosity was thoroughly aroused.
I became interested in him, and strange to say the
sentiment was mutual because he could not take his
eyes from me. I keenly wanted to speak to him but
this was frankly out of the question. Yet we seemed
to be drawing together.
I did not attempt to speak but contrived by sundry
movements and shuffling on one pretext or another
to get closer to him. Then I resorted to subterfuge.
Standing with my hands in front of me I began to
twiddle my fingers rapidly. The action appeared to
be natural and did not arouse the slightest suspicion.
Within the limitations available I was forming some
of the letters of the deaf and dumb alphabet with which
I ara fully acquainted and dexterous. Did he under-
stand the language ? I watched him closely. Presently
I saw his fingers begin to move with apparent equal
aimlessness. I watched intently. He was answering
me and to my joy I discovered that he understood
English.
Out fingers were now working bris "kly and we carried
on a brief monosyllabic conversation while the other
prisoners were completing their work. From him I
learned that I was certainly in great danger. But he
urged me to cheer up. Then he asked me the number
of my cell, which I gave. He replied that he was
directly opposite me, and he told me to look out for him
whenever I got a chance, which, needless to say, under
the stringency of my lire, was hot likely to be often.
He had such a frank open face that I felt as if I could
trust him, although I had corne to regard every German,
no matter how apparently innocent his conversation
56 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
might be, with the gravest suspicion. But a quaint,
quiet, suppressed smile which he gave restored my
confidence completely.
The hours dragged along as during the previous day.
It was wearying and exhausting. I refused all my
food and was making an imposing collection of bowls
of foodstuff. None was taken away. The gaoler
merely observed that I had not touched anything,
but he ruade no connnent. When night fell I essayed
to lie down, but this was impossible. The sores on
my projecting thigh bones had broken into large wounds
which were now bleeding and suppurating and were
so painful as to rendcr lying down impossible. As a
mattcr of fact more than two months passed before
those wounds hcaled and the scars are still visible.
I was lying as best 1 could upon my bed vainly
striving to woo slecp. It was about midnight. The
kcy grated in the lock and a young ofiïcer entered.
He was gruf of manner, but according fo the German
standard was not unkind. I round that his manner
was merely a mask fo dissipate any suspicion among
others who might be prowling round, such is he
distrust of one German of another. Airer he had shut
the door his manner changed completely and he was
disposed fo be affable. But I resented his intrusion.
Had he corne to fathom me ? Was he an emissary
seeking to induce me to commit myself inadvertently ?
Frankly I thought so. He spoke soflly and his voice
was intenfionally kind, while he spoke English
perfectly.
" I would like fo help you," he began.
" Vould 3"ou ? " I retorted cynically.
" Yes, I am very fond of the English. I bave lived
in London several years and have many friends over
there."
" Well, it's a thousand pities we don't serve some
of your blighted countr3anen the saine as they are
serving me," I shot back.
" Yes, I know. I ara very sorry for you. But it is
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 57
out way. Now I, myself, don't think you are a spy.
I think your story is honest and straightforward."
" Then why in the name of Heaven don't they treat
me so until they have tried me ? "
"Ah ! That is the English way. Here, in Germany,
a man is guilty until he is round innocent ! "
" Oh ! So that's your much-vaunted German ' Kul-
tut,' is it ? " I laughed sarcastically.
Seeing that I was a bit over-wrought he sought
to pacify me.
" Would you like a cigarette ? "
At the thought of a smoke I nearly jumped for joy.
There was nothing for which I had been yearning so
much as the solace of a cigarette. I took one from his
proffered case.
" H'sh ! I cannot stay any longer now. The guard
might get suspicious. But I will do all I can for you.
I will corne to see you every night at this time. I will
make you as comfortable as I can as a return for the
many courtesies and kindnesses I received while
in London. Now light up and jump up to the ventila-
tor to puff the smoke out. If they smell tobacco in
the cell you will get into serious trouble."
He bade me good-night and the next instant I was
at the window to enjoy the only peaceful few minutes of
pleasure which had corne my way since my arrest.
My smoke completed I settled dovn to sleep with addi-
tional comfort.
At 2.30 in the morning I was once more awakened.
The door flew open and in rushed my friend the young
officer. He was terribly agitated. He grasped both
my hands and I felt that he was trembling like a leaf.
His voice was so broken that he could scarcely speak.
" Good God! Do you know what bas happened ?
Great Britain has de,clared war on Germany!" Like
a child he burst out crying. As for myself I knew hardly
what to think. I had been hoping against hope that
the circumstance of out still keeping friendly relations
would facilitate my speedy release. This hope was
58 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
fairly blasted now, and I was certain to meet xvith far
shorter shrift and harsher treatment than had already
bcen mcted out fo me. I may say that this was the
first intelligence I had received about the outbreak
of war with Great Britain.
Stifling his emotion the officer went on.
" I ara very sorry if has happened. I shall not be
able to see you again ! "
" Why ? "
" I have fo leave for the front. I have ten minutes
fo say farewell fo my poor old mother." Here he
broke down once more. " My poor rnother," he
wailed. " If will kill her. She does not know a soul
in Wesel. We are utter strangers. I was summoned
back from London only a week or two ago." He gave
vent fo anothcr outburst of sobbing.
" Checr up ! " I said soothingly, " you'll see her when
you corne back ! "
" Corne back ? " he echoed bitterly. " No ! I
shall nevcr corne back. I shall never see her again !
Good-bye ! Remember that I always thought kindly
of the English. But I won't forger you before I go ! "
His Iatalistic resignation somewhat moved me.
He was inwardly convinced that he was going fo his
death. But I appreciatcd his sparing a little of his
bare ten minutes fo give me a parting visit. I also
thank him for remembering me as he had promise&
Shortly after he had gone the gaoler came fo my cell
with a sack of fresh straw to serve as a mattress. The
young oflîcer had paid him fo extend me this slight
privilege. To me if was like a Heaven-sent blessing,
because if enabled me fo seek a little repose without
subjecting my bleeding hips to further damage.
During the following day, Wednesday, I was enabled
to snatch a peep of the corridor without, oxving fo the
gaoler paying me a visit in response to my summons.
To my utter astonishment, looking across the corridor,
I saw the mysterious prisoner with whorn I had been
talking by aid of the mute alphabet, lounging af the
GERMANY DRIVES PRISONERS MAD 59
door of his open cell smoking a cigar. This discovery
startled me, and I decided tobe more than ever on my
guard. To my mind, which was becoming distracted,
everyone appeared to be spying upon my actions.
The mysterious prisoner looked across the corridor and
saw me. Instantly his fingers commenced to more
rapidly. I was talking to the gaoler, but was looking
beyond him at the prisoner opposite, greedily taking
in the signs. I almost jumped as I read off the lcttcrs.
" Be alert ! Something is going to happcn !"
CHAPTER IV
MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL
IT was Wednesday evening. I should iudge the hour
was about eight, although fo me it appeared fo be
nearer midnight. I was lying upon my planks thinking
and wondering what the end of if wotfld be. My head
was whirling with giddiness from the eternal pacing,
and from the wound which I had received, while I was
faint from hunger, having eaten nothing since the
lunch on the train on Monday, save for the two srnall
rolls upon Wescl station. I had not refused the prison
fare frorn feelings of obstinacy, but simply because my
stomach revolted at it. The untouched basins were
still standing beside me in a row, the one which had
been served first now commencing fo emit distinct
signs o its staleness.
The door opened, but I ignored it. In fact I was
in a senfi-comatose condition.
" Rouse ! Get up ! " growled the head gaoler.
I struggled fo a sitting posture and looked up.
Standing beside me was a military officer. I could
hot repress a start. But the absence of arrogance
somewhat reassured me, and I struggled to my feet.
" Herr Mahoney," he commenced, "a serious view
has been taken of your case. However, as you have
money the authorities are prepared fo give you every
chance fo prove your innocence. You can have
counsel if you choose. I can arrange it af once!"
I reflected Ior a moment. The crisis had been
reached at last, and the moment for which I had been
longing for bracing myselI up fo meet the supreme
ordeal had arrived. I decided to maintain a stiff upper
6o
MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 61
lip. Yet, in all fairness I must admit that the
authorities were treating me justly. Here was I, an
absolute stranger in their country, ignorant of the
language beyond a fev colloquialisms, and in the most
dangerous situation in which a man could possibly
find himself.
Yet I did not regard the offer favourably. I feared
that if was a move to trap me decisively. I should
be at the mercy of counsel. This was the thought which
harassed me. However, subsequently, I discovered
that throughout that Wednesday the trials of other
spies had been held, and that in no other instance, so
far as I could ascertain, had the privilege of represen-
tation by counsel been extended. But I swiItly ruade
up my mind as to my course of action.
" Thank you for the offer," I retorted at last, " but
I prefer to undertake my own defence. Besides I am
absolutely innocent and it will hot be a diflïcult matter
for me to convince the Court."
" As you will," and the oflïcer shrugged his shoulders.
He went fo the door, and at his command four
soldiers came up with loaded rifles. They closed
around me, their bayonets levelled, to run me through
should I make an attempt to escape. We marched
out of the cell. Up, up, up, we went, the steps appear-
ing to be interminable. I walked as if in a dream,
and being faint and weary I moved somewhat slowly.
But, strange to say, my escort did not hurry me. I
was certainly shov«n every consideration upon this
occasion. During the procession I was thinking hard
and swiftly, and with a superhuman effort pulled
myself together for the coming fight for life.
We entered a spacious, well-lighted room. At the
opposite end was a long table set transversely, around
three sides of which were seated a number of military
dignitaries. That they were of considerable eminence
was evident from their prodigal array of decorations.
They glanced at me as I entered, but instantly resumed
their low conversation and perusal of documents and
62 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
other material connected with my case. It did not
require a second thought to realise the importance of
this court-martial, but I fclt somewhat perturbed ai
one circumstance.
My trial was fo be hdd in secret.
I was ruade to take up a position some distance
from the table and immediatcly opposite the central
figure who was acting as chairman and inquisitor-
in-chier. The soldiers formed a semi-circle around
me, the only open space being immediately before
me.
Af this date I often reflect upon the strange and
sorry sight I must have presented. I was dressed in a
frock coat which was sadly soiled, a white waistcoat
extremcly dirty and blood-stained, and trousers sadly
frayed at the bottom whcre the searchers had ripped
off the turn-ups. I was with6ut a shirt, having torn
this up to bandage my head, which even now was
svathed in a dirty, blood-stained dressing, while the
buttons had become detached from my under-vest
so that the soiled ends flapped over my waistcoat.
My face was none too clean, being besmirched with
smudges, since I had been denied the luxuries of soap
and towel, and it was covered with a stubbly growth.
Altogether I must have been the most sorry-looking,
if hot revolting specimen of a spy ever arraigned before
that immaculate Tribunal.
It is useless to relate the trial in extenso because there
were so many details which were completely void of
interest except fo lne and my judges. Although every
word, passage, and scene is burned into my brain I
have only committed the most important episodes to
paper. The proceedings opened th the chairlnan
holding torth in monotone German. Seeing that I
took no notice of his tirade he paused. We were soon
to corne to grips. He fired at me in English -
" You understand German ? "
"No! "
" Well, we think you do[ '"
NY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 63
" You are at liberty to think what you like, but the
fact remains that I don't!"
Seeing that I was not fo be over-awed by his arrogance
or tobe brow-beaten he modified his attitude. This
spirited bout sobered the tribunal, and the trial pro-
ceeded more smoothly, except for a few outbursts
now and again which were sharp and pointed while
they lasted.
" XVell, we will provide you with an interpreter,"
he continued in a more placid tone, " but we still
hold the opinion that you can speak and understand
German ! "
There was delay for a few minutes. Then the door
opened and a second later mv interpreter stood beside
me. How it was I did not iump into the air I do not
know, because the man summoned to assist me was
none other than the mysterious prisoner with wholn
I had been talking in the mute alphabet.
This dénouement almost unnerved me. I was now
more positive than evcr that he had been deputed fo
spy upon me in prison. I looked at him askance,
but received not the slightest sign of recognition. I
had refused to entrust my cause to counsel and now I
was placed in the hands of an interpreter who, if he
so desired, could wreak much more damage by twisting
the translations from English to suit his own ends.
As events proved, however, I could not bave been
in better hands. He was highly intelligent, and he
iuterpreted my statements with a fluency and accuracy
which were astonishing. Only now and again did he
stumble and hesitate. This was when he was presented
with an unfamiliar expression or idiomatic sentence.
As the trial proceeded I gained an interesting side-
light upon German methods and the mutual distrust
which exists. Ostensibly, and so I was led to believe,
none of the Tribunal spoke English with any fluency,
but when, on one occasion, my interpreter was floored
by a particularly difficult colloquialism which I uttered,
the Clerk of the Court came to his aid, and in a moment
6 4 FOUR GERIAN PRISONS
turned the sentence properly to convey my exact
meauing. This revclation placed me on my guard
more than ever, because it was brought home to me
very convincingly that if my interpreter tended to
lean unduly towards me, he himself would be in serious
jeopardy. Later, during the trial, I discovered that
the Clerk spoke and understood English as well as I
did. It was a telling illustration of the German
practice of spying upon one another.
The first part of the trial was taken up with a repeti-
tion of the numerous questions I had already answered
timcs out of number, accompanied by a more searching
cross-exanfination. As the trial proceeded I saw that
the authorities had collected every vestige of evidênce
from every official who had questioned me and with
whom I had held any conversation.
There was one exciting moment. An officer,
evidently of high rank, entered the room. He looked
at me in a manner which I resented. With a sneering
grin he enquired,
" Englander ? Ha ! Ha! Spion ? What are
you doing here ? "
"I have corne at the pressing invitation of four
gentlemen with four points!" I suavely replied.
This sly allusion to the four soldiers with their
bayonets lashed the interrupting oflïcer fo fury. The
whole court indulged in a wild and loud conversation.
The chairman waved his arm udldly. Before I grasped
what had happened the soldiers closed round me, I
was roughly turned round, and to the accompaniment
of liberal buffeting was hustled down the steps to my
cell.
A few minutes later my interpreter came fo me.
" Listen fo me, English friend. You must not
annoy the Court. I ara trying to do all I can for you.
I do not think you guilty. But if you arewhat do
you call it--h'm " and he snapped his fingers
perplexedly.
" Sarcastic ? " I ventured.
SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 65
" Yes! That's it. If you are sarcastic you make
my work very hard ! "
" But that oflïcer had nothing to do with the Court»
Why did he interfere xvith a gratuitous
had he ?
insult ? "
"Ah!
do that.
Further
I see. You don't understand. They will
But you must remember the uniform ! "
conversation xvas prevented by the
reappearance of the soldiers. I was tobe taken back to
the Court. I decided to take my interpreter's advice,
and although I was frequently roused iutentionally,
I bit my lip at the insults and choked down sharp
retorts.
" Do you realise the nature of the charge and the
gravity of your position ? " asked the chairman, after
proceedings had been resumed. There was no trace
of resentment at the recent incident in his voice.
" I do perIectly."
" Then do you not think it somewhat strange that a
man like you should be travelling to Berlin, on the way
to Warsaw, on the very day when war was declared
against Russia ? Is it not strange also that you
should be here after Great Britain bas declared war ? "
" When I set out for Berlin war had not been declared
between Germany and Russia. On Monday when I was
arrested war had hot been declared against Germany
by Great Britain. I was arrested on the flimsiest
pretext and upon the word of a deliberately lying
youth before war had been declared vith my country ! "
" Ah! we shall see. You do not think it strange
to be travelling through Germany at such a perilous
rime with so much photographic apparatus ? "
"No! I wasnot usingit!"
" So you took no photographs in Germany ? "
" No!" And the lie flew out in spire of myself.
But I felt perfectly secure because I knew exactly
where the film, which I had exposed, was. It was
beyond their reach !
" Then what is this ? " And to my surprise he helcl
66 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
up somewhat triumphantly the length of photoaphic
film from the carnera with which I had taken the two
Iarewcll pictures of my farnily.
Up to this point I had successfully rnaintained a
stiff uppcr lip and perfect cornposure. But at the
sight of the filin carrying the parting pictures, my
thoughts flcw to home and its associations. I broke
down.
The court was jubilant. My spontaneous outburst
of weakness at rnernories of horne was rnisconstrued
into a recognition of the fact that I had been
trappcd.
Amid a silence which was soul-burning and which
causcd my voice, quivering af first but rapidly regaining
strcngth and its natural ring, to echo strangely through
the rooIn, I narrated the history of that filrn. As I
had expected if provoked a fearIul wrangle. The
fight was sharp and hot while it lasted, but I thanked
rny lucky stars that I was not only well skilled in the
tcchnics of photoaphy but the chernistry side as
well. The filrn n question was sufficient for six
exposures. Three had been rnade. In addition to the
two pictures of my Iarnily's farewell which corresponded
to exposures two and three there was another picture,
of archoeological interest, concerning a Sussex church,
which was exposure nulnber one. The rest of the
film, which would have corresponded to pictures
4, 5 and 6, had never been exposed.
The film which was held up had been developed by
order of the court. The unexposed portion had been
passed through the development processes, and I
experienced a thrill of joy. I saw that I was now on
solid ground.
" How did you expose this film ? "
" In the usual way. The church was taken first,
Iolloved by the two pictures of rny farnily. The test
of the filrn has never been exposed."
" That is what you say. But the Court thinks
differently. Listen, the two pictures of your family
MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 6 7
were taken first and this of the church last--possibly,
indeed probably, in Germany ? "
" It was hot. No photographer, even the tyro,
would pass hall a film through his camera before
making an exposure."
For ten minutes we fought tooth and nail over the
way in which that fihn had been passed through the
camera. Then, seeing that they could not shake my
evidence, and doubtless impressed by my vehemence,
they turned round completely to return to the attack.
"Well, granted, as you say, that the church was
taken first, the second half of the fihn was exposed in
Germany. But you, seeing the danger of your position
upon arrest, contrived to ruin these last three pictures
before th camera was taken away from you," snapped
the Chairman.
In spire of myself I laughed.
" The second hall of the film has never been exposed
at all," I reioined.
" How tan you prove that ? '°
" Very easily. If I had ruined it by exposing it
to the light as you suggest, tle film upon development
would have corne out black ! But itis quite transparent !"
I replied in triumph.
iIy retort floored the Court. We were dipping into
matters about which they were completely ignorant.
There was a hurried whispering and then the Chair-
man commented :
" We'll soon prove that you are wrong !"
Proceedings were suspended. A clerk left the room
fo return a little later with a civilian who proved to
be a photoapher in Wesel.
The problem was presented to him, but I saw at once
that he knew nothing whatever about the chemistry
of photography. He was turned over to me for cross-
examination, and within three minutes I had so pul-
verised his statements that he was quite bevildered,
and he left the Tribunal with his photographic reputa-
tion sadly shattered.
68 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
Another witness was summoned, the Court being
determined to get at the bottom of the problem which
had been raised. They certainly recognised the
significance of my contention. This rime it was a mili-
tary officer. He was examined by the Court, and then
I was given the liberty to cross-examine. My very
first question vas adequate to satisfy myself that he
knew even less about the subiect than the previous
witncss. But he was nervously anxious not to betray
his ignorance. He had been called in as an expert
and fcr-ently desired to maintain this reputation. He
did so by acquiescing in every statement which I put
to him conccrning the action of light upon nitrate of
silver.
" Now," I asked emphatically, when I had com-
pletcly caught him, " under these circumstances, and
according to what you have been explaining to the
court, the second hall of this film which is transparent
has never been exposed ? "
" If has not."
His negative was so emphatic as to convince the
Court. I had scored the crucial point and felt, now
my supreme difficulty had been subjugated so conclu-
si-ely, that all was plain sailing. It was only too evident
that evcrything had turned upon that short lenh of
unexposed film, and I felt devoutly thankful to Provi-
dence that the light had hot accidentally penetrated
to the sensitised surface. Had the unexposed section
bcen black my fate would bave been irrevocably
sealed.
Now I was asked to present my defence.
" Can you give us a complete and detailed narrative
of your journey, say from the time you left ]3righton
by the 5.1o p.m. train, on Saturday, August I, up to
your arrest.
I nodded affirmatively.
" \Vell, go ahead ! "
Forthwith I launched out. I ara naturally a rapid
speaker and although my interpreter was confronted
MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 60
with a gigantic task, he performed his work magnifi-
cently. Only once or twice did he falter for a moment
or two. But I was never interrupted nor asked to
repeat a statement, so that the thread of my story
remained unbroken. For two hours and a hall [
spoke and I think the readiness and clearness with
which I proceeded must have impressed the Court.
As I warmed to the subject my head grew clearer and
clearer. I knew I was fighting for my lire, but the whole
of the episodes and scenes during the critical fifty odd
hours passed through my mind as if delineated upon
a continuous cinematograph ribbon of film.
Midnight had passed belote I had finished. The
clerks of the Court had been steadily writing during
the whole period, and I knew that every word I had
uttered had been faithfully recorded. The Tribunal
gave a sigh of relief as I intimated that I had nothing
more to say. I was returned to my cell, accompanied
by my interpreter, whom I thanked for his assistance
which I could never repay. The Court might decide what
it liked. I had put up a stiff fight and could do no more.
I thought I was fo be left alone for the night. I was
sorely in need of test, and the nervous tension under
which I had been labouring now began to reveal itself.
The reaction commenced to set in. But there was no
test for me yet. Hardly had I sat down upon my plank
bed belote I was re-summoned. By this time I was so
weak that I could hardly stand. The perspiration
was pouring out all over my body. Indeed, I had to
be assisted up the stairs.
To my utter surprise, when I entered the court,
I round the record of my defence completed. There
it was in a pile of neatly inscribed sheets, numbered,
and secured together. The Chairman pushed the
depositions before me.
" Sign here," and he indicated the foot of the last
page.
I picked up the papers. They were in German.
I returned them unsigned to the table.
70 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
" I decline I " I replied emphatically.
" But you must ! "
" Well, I shall hot. I don't understand German.
I don't know what it's about ! "
"' It's your defence ! "
"' Soit may be, but I have only your word for that.
I decline fo sign anything I do not understand. It
may be my death warrant ! "
" If you don't sign I can tell you that we bave
means of making you do so," he continued somewhat
menacingly.
" I don't care. You can do as you like, but I am
not going fo sign those papers."
My determination provoked another animated dis-
cUSSlOn. Finally another pile was pushed towards
me, I could hot curb a start. It was my defence
written throughout in English, and had undoubtedly
been written simultaneously 'ith the German version.
I eyed the Clerk of the Court narrowly and he returned
the gaze j ust as keenly.
I tan through the depositions. They were perfect.
Picking up the pen I signed my name without hesita-
tion. The signature was inspected, and then the orinal
German papers were once more presented with the
invitation to sign. Again, I refused.
" But," expostulated the Chairman, " this is a
literal German translation from the English which you
have signed ! "
" Soit may be, but the fact remains that I don't
understand German," I retorted.
Another storm burst, but the Tribunal saw that it
was impossible fo shake my resolution. There was
another brief discussion. Then the Chairman turned to
one of his colleagues, and in a despairing voice asked,
" Can you suggest a way out of the difficulty ? "
" Yes ! " I interrupted. " Give the interpreter
the German and me the English copy. Let him
translate from the German and I will compare xàth
the English version."
MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 71
The ofter was accepted, but now another hitch
arose. Th- interpreter said he did hot think he could
read off the translation from the German right away--
at least, it would take time.
The Court was in a quandary. Seeing that this
unexpected obstacle was likely to prejudice my posi-
tion I grabbed the English text and thrust the German
copy into my interpreter's hands. Telling him to
go ahead I remarked that we could make something
out of it. We wrestled with the translation, although
it was a slow and tedious operation, but at last we
finished the task. The German depositiorts bcing
quite in order, and fairly translated I signed the papers
without further ado.
Now I thought the ordeal was over, but it was not.
Picking up my signed depositions the Chairman pro-
ceeded to re-examine me on my defence. He started
trom the moment I arrived at Flushing and traced my
movements, minute by minute, to Berlin, followed what
I did in the capital between 1.3o a.m. the hour of my
arrival and 1.13 p.m. the time of my departure. The
manner in which my movements had been dogged
was astonishing and I recalled the individual whom I
had noticed shadowing me in the city. I saw at once
that everything turned upon the instant nature of
my answers, so I replied to every question without the
slightest hesitation and to such effect that I never
once contradicted myself.
Only one interval, and that of ten minutes in Berlin,
threatened to engulf me. I could scarcely fill up
this gap. It happened to be one of those idle intervals
which one can never explain away veÆy readily or
satisfactorily. We disputed this ten minutes vigor-
ously for about half an hour, and by the rime we had
finished I do hOt think there was a single second for
which an account had not been rendered. My inter-
view with the Consul also precipitated a storm, especi-
ally as by this time I was becoming bored and Ielt
dead-tired. Every question, however, sufficed to
72 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
prove that I was firmly considered fo be a spy, and a
dangerous one af that. But even the re-examination
came to a close at last.
Now my heart nearly jumped out of my body. The
chairman, picking up the papers which had been taken
from my pocket, withdrev a little book. It was my
diary, 'hich 'as full of notes. The moment I saw its
familiar cover I cursed the inspiration which had
prompted me to keep a diary. I knew what it contained
and I knew the cryptic notes therein would bring
about further explosions and protestations. I was
not disappointcd. Opening the little book the Chair-
man cnquircd innocently :
" What do )ou mean by things being "lively" in
I3erlin ? "
" It is a I3ritish expression," I retorted, my brain
vorking rapidly to ad'ance a conclusi'e reply as I
recallcd the phrase which I had jotted down. " We
tenn things ' lively' vhen say, as in my case, one is
first thro'n out of a cab by a officer and shortly after-
'ards is flung out of a restaurant ! "
" Rather an unusual phrase to use when one recalls
the political situation 'hich prevailed in the capital
last Sunday, is it not ? "
" Possibly from the Gcrman point of view, in the
light of events."
" Then you had an enlightening chat with an officer ?
What was it all about ? Hov did you open conversa-
tion with him ? "
" In the usual I3ritish manner. We just chatted
about things in general."
" Especially of the 'ar between Germany and Eng-
land ? "
" No ! I3ecause we were hot af war ! "
" But the oflïcer advised you to return home l
Vhy ? "
" Because I could hot get through to Warsaw ] "
Other incidents of a spifited character raged about
other phrases in the little book, but I was on the alert.
MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 73
The Chairman evidently considered me to be a match
for him in these wrangles because he speedily put the
diary down.
During the proceedings the Chairman ruade one
frantic endeavour to trap roc, and to prove that I was
more fully conversant with the language, as he confi-
dently believed, than I felt disposed to concede. Some-
thing was being read over to me by the Clerk upon
which my thoughts were concentratcd. Suddenly
the Chairman roared out a terrifying word in the vcr-
nacular. I never moved a hair. I behaved j ust as
if the Chairman had merely sneezcd. My impcrturb-
ability appeared to convince him that I really did hot
understand German, because no further refcrencc was
ruade fo the fact. Subsequently my interpreter told
me that it was fortunate I did not understand German
or I would certainly bave retorted to the Chairman's
sudden interjection. I should not have been human
had I not done so. He refused to tell me what the
word was or what it meant, so I was never a whit the
wiser.
Af last I was told the proceedings with reference to
myself were closed. I had been on the rack for several
hours, and when the gare of my cell clicked upon me for
the last time that eventful evening the morning hours
were well advanced. As my interpreter left me fo go
to his cell I enquired wearily, though with a trace of
anxiety.
" When shall I know the result ? "
He shrugged his shoulders.
" Perhaps to-morrow. Who knows ? "
Personally I felt confident that a speedy release would
be granted. It seemed to me impossible fo convict
upon the evidence. But I was ignorant of German
ways and military court procedure. I was destined to
receive a greater surprise than any which had yet
befallen me.
CHAPTER V
WAITING TO BE SHOT
I SHALL never forget the night of Wednesday, August
5th. After the excitement of my trial which had left me
well nigh exhausted, I threw myself upon my wooden
plank bed to recuperate with a well-earned test. But
I had j ust ruade myself comfortable when a terrible
uproar broke out. The prison trembled and I half feared
that it would tumble about out ears. The emergency
bells commenced to clang madly, while the building
was torn with the most terrifying shrieks and howls.
Then the deafening sounds of explosions burst on out
ears. At the rime I wondered what was the cause for
this din, but the next morning I was told that during
the night the French had ruade an aerial raid upon
Wesel. From within it sounded as if the whole Allied
Army were pounding the building. On top of the prison
anti-aircraft guns were mounted and when they were
discharged, which was continuously and rapidly, they
shook the building violently. Indeed an earthquake
could scarcely have set up a more agitated oscillation
of the fabric.
Although the bells rang madly they were not
answered. Every gaoler had left his post; gone no
one knew whither. The prisoners thought they had
been deserted. They were haunted by the terror of
the prison being set in rames by the bombardment.
The shrieks, cries, howls and vails born of Iright ruade
my blood chill. Outside one could hear the muffled
shouts of ofiïcers giving orders, curses, and rapid firing
by small arms. The whole place appeared to have been
afflicted vith panic, as acute among the soldiers without
74
WAITING TO BE SHOT 75
a among the prisoners within. For about an hour
pandemonium reigned. Even to me, shut up as I was
in a narrow cell, if was easy to appreciate the terrible
and lar-reaching undermining effect which an aerial
raid bas upon the Teuton mind.
Within the prison next morning if was possible to
see the dire effects which the French aviators had
cause& A lew cells below me was a prisoner.
When I saw him on the Thursday morning I scarcely
recognised him. As a result of that hour of terror his
hair had gone complctely white .t Other prisoners were
sadly bruised and scarred from frantically beating
their hands and heads against the doors of their cells
in the desperate endeavour to get out. One poor
wretch went raving mari.
Notwithstanding the ordeal of the trial, which had
deprived me of my normal span of test, I was woke up
at 5.3o to sweep out my cell. The strain of the pro-
longed inquisition of the previous evening upon an
enfeebled physique and brain now commenced to assert
itself in an emphatic manner. I had eaten nothing,
hOt even a crust of the black bread, for fifty-four hours.
Little wonder that I could scarcely keep my feet. lIy
gaoler observed my condition, but said nothing,
although he modified his customary boorish attitude
towards myself.
When I had to make my daily visit fo the yard fo
dean my utensils and fo re-charge my water-jug I
staggered clown the steps. I stepped out of the line
in my turn and grasped the pump-handle. But I was
too weak fo more it. A fellow-prisoner, recognising
my plight, dashed forward fo work the pump. As he
did one of the guard raised his rifle to club the man
across the head, but thinking better of his action,
dropped his weapon, and permitted him to assist me.
How I crawled back fo the cell I tan scarcelv remem-
ber. But I recall being spurred Iorward wi(h sundry
jabs and prods by the rifle. Reaching my cell I sank
down upon my bed.
7 6 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
How long I lay there it is impossible to say, but
presently I became conscious of some one standing
beside me. I wearily sat up to see an officer. Had he
brought me the verdict of the Court ? At the thought
I rose to my feet. But no! He had nothing to do
with the Tribunal. He eyed me closely and then
turning to the array of basins containing the un-
touched food and hunks of black bread he remarked
grimly :
" Do you know you will die if you don't eat your
food ? "
" I shall if I do, so what's the odds ? Its smell is
sufficient ! "
" Do you know we can make you eat it ? "
" You try, and I promise you that you will get it
back in double quick time," I retorted significantly and
defiantly.
" Well, what would you like o eat ? "
" Like fo eat ? " I repeated. " Why, I could do
with a six-course dinner," was my sarcastic rejoinder,
feeling confident that he had merely asked the question
o tantalise me. But seeing that he really meant what
he said I rattled off a complete menu, hot forgetting
the cup of black coffee and an Egyptian cigarette.
Feeling that the officer was in reality the prison doctor
I grew reckless and cynical.
" Well, I'm damned ! " was his ejaculatory comment
when I had finished. And he gave a loud, long laugh.
My temper was rising, and I think my face must bave
betrayed my wish to strangle him, because he continued,
" You've got money, and you can buy one meal a
day flore outside if you like. I'll grant you your
gluttonous feed to-day--except the cigarette--seeing
that you've eaten nothing for three days. The cigar-
ette is impossible: it is quite against the rules and
regulations of the prison. But to-morrow you'll bave
to test content with a plate of meat and vegetables."
After he had left the cell I came fo the conclusion
that he had been merely having a huge j oke at my
WAITING TO BE SHOT 77
expense. But ten minutes later the gaoler entered
bea ing two bi tays upon which were arrayed the six
courses. My eyes glittered with a wolfish greed, but I
restrained myself. I sat doxvn fo the meal and pro-
ceeded with it very leisurely, getting up noxv and
again fo pace a little xvhile fo assist my weakened
digestion. Indeed, by the time I had swallowed the
last morsel the gaoler entered with my tea. But that
meal put new life into me. Aftervards I easily sub-
sisted upon the dinner from without ; that was ade-
quate for the twenty-four hours. I think I paid suflï-
cient for the privilege seeing that the six-course dinner
and three subsequent plates of meat and vegetables cost
me twenty-six marks.
While I was denied all conversation vith any of the
prisoners I saw them af least once a day. But if I
did not see much of them I heard them frequently,
especially when punishment was beîng dealt out.
Then the corridor would ring with dull thuds as blows
by the rifle were administered, followed by violent
shrieking and wailing. The prison, af least the pre-
cincts of the Avenue of the Damned, was ruled with a
rod of iron, and various brutalities were practised and
often upon the slightest pretext. Itis only necessary
to relate one revolting episode x'hich I witnessed with
my own eyes. On Friday morning, August 7, my cell-
pacing was rudely interrupted by the appearance of
the gaoler who curtly ordered me to stand outside my
cell door. I round that all the cells--except one--
along the corridor were wide open, and with their
occupants similarly standing at the entrances. Between
each two cells stood a soldier with his rifle ready fo ]ab
his bayonet to right or left at an instant's notice.
I wondered vhat was the matter, and was told that
we were fo witness and to profit from the punishment
which was to be dealt out to a prisoner who had broken
one of the prison rules. Lying in the centre of the
corridor was the prone groaning form of a prisoner--
a Frenchman, I believe--who had been dragged from
7 8 FOUR GERlXIAN PRISONS
the cell before the open door of which no one was
standing. He was terribly weak and ill. Beside him
stood four hulking, burly and heavily-booted Prus-
sians.
At the word of command these four men rushed
forward and commenced to kick the hapless prisoner
for all they xvere worth. The man shrieked, groaned
and howled. We all shivered at the sight and at his
terrible cries. It sickened me. But the brutes never
relented. The more he xvrithed and the louder he
howled the harder they kicked, face, body and head
receiving the blows indiscriminately. In a minute
or so the man lay still upon the floor, literally kicked
into insensibility. Whatever any of the prisoners
around may have felt none could extend assistance or
interfere. Some strove to shut out the terrible sight
by covering their faces with their hands, but the
bayonet point speedily induced them fo look as com-
manded. If any one of us had moved a step to pro-
ceed to the poor v, Tetch's aid we should certainly
have been run through without the slightest com-
punction.
The unconscious prisoner was picked up and thrown
into his cell, while we were likewise rushed in upon
the conclusion of the disgusting exhibition. Subse-
quently I enquired the reason for such a ferocious
outburst. Then I round that the prisoner, who was so
ill that he really ought fo have been in hospital, had
rung his bell, to summon the gaoler for permission to
respond to one of the calls of nature, but that he had
been unable fo contain himself until the dilatory oncial
arrived. I might mention that I had heard the bell
ringing for fully ten minutes but without avail.
Although scrupulous cleanliness is demanded from each
cell I know from experience that the gaolers are ever
reluctant to reply to a call of the emergency bell, and
think nothing of causing the hapless wretch terrible
rnisery. It serves to bring home to the prisoner
that he is under confinement and not in a hotel to be
WAITING TO BE SHOT 79
waited on hand and foot. Such is the German argu-
ment.
Next morning on our going into the yard the
unfortunate prisoner who had been punished so
diabolically was hot tobe seen. More significant still
his cell was empty, and the door was wide open. I
could only surmise that his worldly troubles were over.
If so he would be oflïcially declared fo have " died in
prison ! "
Favoured prisoners are granted a sack of straw fo
serve as a mattress. I had been denied this luxury
but secured it later through the good offices of the
lieutenant who visited me on Tuesday night. I was
lucky enough to get new straw. Apparently the sacks
are never reneved during a prisoner's incarceration.
He merely replenishes his stock when another cell
becomes vacant, irrespective of the period the straw
therein has been in use. There is a mad rush for the
empty cell, and the prisoners fight like wolves among
themselves for the possession of the derelict straw, each
bearing away triumphantly the small dole he bas
obtained from the struggle.
As may be supposed, under such conditions, the
straw is hot very inviting. It soon becomes verminous,
and this deplorable state of affairs becomes worse the
longer the straw is in use. In fact it becomes alive
with lice. In one instance I saw a dropped wisp so
thickly encrusted with the parasites that if actually
moved along the ground under the united action of the
insects.
There is one inflexible law in German prisons. Under
no pretence vhatever must one prisoner enter the cell
of another while it is occupied. This regulation is hot
to prevent conversation or communication between
prisoners, but is for reasons which it is hot necessary
to describe. When one recalls the utter depravity
which prevails in German military centres the wisdom
of the ordination is obvious. The punishment is severe,
the easiest being a spell oI confinement upon a black
8o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
bread and water diet, but generally and preferably
clubbing into insensibility.
A few cells above me was a prisoner who had been
incarcerated for fifteen years. Vhether the whole of
this rime had been spent in Wesel or not I could not
say, but when I came face to face with him for the
first time he gave me a severe shock. He was a walking
skeleton. Every bone in his body was visible, while
his skin was the colour of faded parchment. He looked
more like an animated mummy than a hurnan being.
I stood beside him one day in the corridor, and a bright
ray of sunshine happened to fall across his face which
was to me in profile. I started. His face was so rhin
that the check and jawbones were limned distinctly
against the light, producing the effect of the X-ray
photograph, while the sun shone clean through his
cheeks. You could bave read a paper on the off side
of his face by the light which came through.
This prisoner unnerved me. From morning to night,
as he paced his cell, he groaned dismally :not fitfully
but continually. It was like the wail of a dog suffering
excruciating agony, only a thousand times more irritat-
ing and nerve-racking. Even during the night he
groaned, apparently in his sleep. Another day, when
similarly paraded beside him, I asked if he would like a
piece of black bread. He made no reply, but turned
such a wolfish look upon me that I hastily told him to
dive into my cell--No. II. He watched the guard
for a second, and while all backs were turned he was
gone and back beside me with the prize which he
clutched in his hand. I have never seen such a rapid
movement. He slid into the cell like a shadow and
as stealthily and as quickly returned. This poor
wretch doubtless enjoyed this unexpected addition to
his quantity of food, since he was apparently being given
just enough to keep him alive, and no more. Other-
wise he could never bave become so fearfully thin.
Once again I was fo receive another shock from my
mysterious prisoner who had acted as interpreter.
WAITING TO BE SHOT
8I
On Thursday he came fo my cell in the uniform of
warder. Consequently I saw a good deal of him, and,
he being ffiendly, we had many brief snatches of
surreptitious conversation. He was highly intelligent,
well-educated and sympathetic. I enquired as to how
he happened to be in our unsalubrious avenue. He
informed me that he was awaiting the Kaiser's pardon.
His offence was not heinous. He had not responded
to his country's call, upon mobilisation, with the
celerity which the ofiîcials declared he should have
shown. As a punishment he was committed to the
cells for three days. Upon the expiration of this
sentence he had been made under-gaoler. His naine
was M , and he told me he had a prosperous
business outside Germany.
I »vas on the tip-toe of anticipation and suppressed
excitement throughout Thursday and Friday, hoping
for news concerning the decision of the Tribunal.
But when Friday passed without my receiving any
tidings I commenced to get fidgety and anxious
My feelings were not assuaged by hearing volleys ring
out every morning, followed by a death-like stillness.
These reports appeared to stifle the cries and groans
of the prisoners a little while. To nie the sounds
presaged serious news. Apparently there were several
prisoners condemned for spying, and each volley, I
was told, signified the flight of one or more hapless
souls. My spirits were hot revived by noticing the
cells on either side of me rapidly emptying, while the
little party which went down into the yard in the
morning began to dwindle in numbers very rapidly.
When the head-gaoler came round on Friday night
I decided fo tackle him. The suspense was becoming
intolerable. By this rime he had become somewhat
more friendly towards me, and if in the mood would
talk for a brief while.
" Were any other prisoners tried on Wednesday as
spies ? " I asked innocently.
" Jah ! Allday
82 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
" How many ? "
" May-be twenty-three ! "
" Hov many have been shot ? "
" Ach! I cannot give prisoners news of that kind.
But I can tell you that there are three lefl, and you are
one of thern ! "
I smiled to rnyself at the gaoler's rigid observance
of lhe lctter of Gerrnan prison law to refuse news to
prisoners, yct giving the desired information in an
indircct manner.
" \Vhen shall I hear the result of my trial ? "
" Trial ? You have hot been tried yet
" What ? You must be rnistaken. I xx'as tried on
Wednesday night
" "fhat wasn't the trial. That x'as the enquiry!"
" Then when will the trial corne off ? "
" You'll lcarn the result of the trial soon enough !"
and he slarnrned the door to prex'ent further dis-
cussion.
I was cornpletely flabbergasted. I scratched my
]ead and endeax-oured fo collect rny thoughts. Surely
I could hot bave heard aright. Yet the man rnust
lnov x'hat he vas talking about. The more I pondered
the more perplexed I became. Then the head-gaoler's
stress upon the word " result!" ïat did that
portend ? New fears crept into rny rnind. So when
M, the under-gaoler, carne round next morning, I
badgered hirn, but he would say no more than that the
trial had hot yet corne off.
I was completely unner-ed and now comrnenced fo
/ear the xvorst. If the ordeal I experienced on the
Wednesday night vas hot the trial, then what on earth
was it ? I rnade up my rnind to find out. I rang the
bell vildly and demanded to see the Commandant.
He sent down word to say he could not see me. But
I was insistent, and at last, to a'oid further worry, he
conceded an audience.
As I entered the oflïce of the Commandant I was
surprised to see hirn handling my little camera. Af rny
WAITING TO BE SHOT 83
entrance he slipped it into his desk. He looked at
me curiously, and then grunted,
" What do you want ? "
"I wish to know when my trial is coming off. I
thought I was tried last \Vednesday night."
" No ! That was the enquiry. We'll let you know
the result of the trial pretty quickly," and he grinned
complacently, in which little pleasantry at my expense
the officer of the guard joined in.
"I don't want to know the result! I xvant fo be
there ! "
" That is impossible. You gave ail your evidence
before the enquiry ! "
" Then don't I appear at my trial ? "
" Cert_ai___nly not !"
I was completely non-plussed at this confirmation
of the head-gaoler's statement. It was a new way, to
my mind, of meting out iustice to a prisoner to deny
him the right to appear at his own trial. Truly the
ways of Teuton jurisprudence or military court pro-
cedure were strange.
" Then when will my trial be held ? " I asked,
determined to glean some definite information.
"' Ach! We cannot be bothered with a single case
whilst mobilisation is going on. We are too busy.
You must wait," and with that he dismissed me.
" But surely you can give me some idea when it
will be held," I persisted.
" Ach!" and he fumed somewhat. Seeing that I
was not fo be turned away without satisfaction he
continued, " Your trial will be on Monday. Get
out !"
My reflections upon gaining my cell may be imagined.
I could not resist dwelling upon the methods of German
justice, and I commenced to conjure up visions of the
trial from which I was to be absent, and to speculate
upon the final result. What would it be ? I saxv the
heavy disadvantage under which I was labouring, and
as may be supposed my thoughts turned to the blackest
84 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
side of things. I had another forty-eight hours of
suspense in solitary confinement to bear.
To take my mind off the subject I set to work
sketching an ornate design upon the prison wall with
a safety pin vhich I had picked up unobserved. In
the perpetual twilight which prevailed during the day
in my cell I drew, or should it be engraved ? a huge
Union Jack intertwined with the Royal Standard,
surmounted by the crown of Great Britain and the
Royal Arms. It occupied considerable rime, but I
took a quaint delight in it. It successfully moved my
thoughts from my awkward position, although at
nights I kept awake for hours on end turning over in
my mind my chances of acquittal and condemnation,
more particularly the latter.
On Sunday I applied for permission to attend
church, but after a long oflîcial discussion the request
was refused. The prison had no facilities for adminis-
tering spiritual pabulum to a British prisoner. This
was a mere excuse, because several of the other prisoners
attended church. How I passed that day it is difficult
to record. I paced my cell in a frenzy until I could
pace no longer. I completed my design on the wall,
fumbled with my fingers, and dozed. But the hours
seemed to drag as if they were years. By now I was
so overwrought that I declined to send out for my
dinner.
Nonday was worse than Sunday. Throughout the
day I was keyed to a high pitch of nervous expectancy.
I could scarcely keep a limb still. Every sound ruade
me jump, and I kept my eyes glued fo the door,
momentarily expecting to gain some tidings of how my
lrial had gone. When the gaoler entered wtth my meals
and stolidly declined to enter into conversation, I
grew more and more morose, until at last I can only
compare my feelings with those of an animal trapped
and at bay, waiting and ready to land some final,
fearful blow before meeting its rate.
Early in the evening of the Monday I was pacing my
WAITING TO BE SHOT 8 5
cell, a bundle of twitchin gE nerves, when the door
opened to adroit an oflïcer. I almost sprang towards
him. I was fo learn the truth at last. But he had
not corne from the Court.
" Do you feel hungry ? " he asked, not unkindly.
" No." I answered feebly, my heart heavy within
me. As a matter of fact I was so overwrought with
anxiety that I failed to feel the pangs of hunger.
" Well," he went on, " you can have what you like."
Thump went my heart again. The verdict had
certainly gone against me. For what other reason
had I been offered what I liked to eat ? It sounded
ominous. It recalled out practice in Britain where a
condemned man is given his choice of viands on the
mornin i of his execution. Most assuredly I was
going to be shot on the following morning, and day-
break was not far distant.
" I should certainly have something to eat if I were
you," suggested the oflïcer.
" Oh, very well," I replied resignedly, « l'll bave a
roll, butter, and a black coffee."
Directly the officer had gone I rang the emergency
bell. M , the under-gao]er, answered it. With a
tremendous effort I pulled myself together.
" So I'm going fo be shot in the morning," I ventured,
in the hope of drawing some comment.
" Ach ! What ? Lie down and keep quiet ! " was
lais stolid retort.
" Look here ! I want to write to my wife. Can you
get me a pencil and a sheet of paper ? "
" Impossible ! "
" But I must write. She does not know where !
ara, and she will not know what has become of me!
86 FOUR GER.IAN PRI.qONS
German military prisons hold their secrets tightly.
But the time crept on and no guard appeared as I
had been dreading, lXIy drooping spirits revived
because the hour of the day when prisoners were
customarily shot had passed. When I went out into
the yard on the Tuesday morning I chanced to meet
the two Hindoos who had been arrested 4th me.
Then I realised that they were txvo out of the three
remaining spies. I was the third. They were in
high spirits. \en the guard was not looking they
told me they had been acquitted of the espionage
charge, and expected soon to be taken as far as the
frontier to be released.
I was the only one left, and I had hot been told the
result of my trial. Yet these two Hindoo students who
also had been belote the Court on the Wednesday had
learned the verdict in their cases. But I had been
denied all communication. I regained my cell in a
kind of stupor. To me it seemed that all was lost,
and I fell into the depths of despair. XVhen the
friendly lI came with my breakfast I pestered tfim
4th questions.
WAITING TO BE SHOT 8 7
" Has the court been sitting ? "
" Yes, ail day Monday and ail last night."
" Have you heard the result of my trial ? "
" But the two Hindoos have been acquitted. Have
I?"
" I cannot say," he replied sullnly.
The manner in which he avoided my eager look
served to confirm my worst fears. I strove hard to
draw soinething fuloEher from him, but he briefly
remarked that he was forbidden to speak to prisoners.
I scarcely knew what to think. To me it was
extraordinarily strange that the two Hindoos should
have heard of their acquittal and yet no one seened to
know anything about my case. No! There was
only one construction to be placed upon the situation.
The Court had gone against me. My thoughts through-
out that day were most unenviable. I fretted and
fumed, wondering when it would ail be over. My
nerves started to twitch and ]ump, and within a short
while I could not keep a limb still. The fearful
suspense was certainly driving me mad.
' Later in the day an escort arrived, and to my surprise
and intense relief the officer informed me that I was
not going tobe shot. I took this for an acquittal, but
I was speedily disillusioned. I was taken to the office
of the Commandant. -
Reaching this official I was surprised to see among a
stack of other baggage my ovn belongings. The
Commandant sharply ordered me to sort my things
out, and to run through them to see that everything
was intact. I could have danced for joy. Like ail
excited child I fell upon the baggage, disentangled my
belongings, and ran through the contents. Two
purses and a camera were missing. I reported my
loss, and there was a terrific hullaballoo. Who had
touched a prisoner's goods ? The purses were brought
in by the gaoler, who declared to me that, finding they
contained money, he had put them in his pocket for
88 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
safety. I smiled at his ingenuous excuse. Now I
worried about the nfissing camera, but this defied
discovery. Suddenly I remembered where I had seen
if last and kept quiet.
After I had gathered my luggage together I was
marched back fo my cell. Again my spirits drooped
upon being asked fo give my English address. I saw if
ail ! In my highly strung condition I took this latest
expression of Teuton methods to mean that my goods
were to be sent home, but that I ,,-oued have to surfer
some dire penalty. I nursed this dark imagining because
the prison treatment was hot relaxed one iota. I
passed a restless half-hour. I was heavy-eyed from
want of sleep, while my face had assumed a sickly,
revolting pallor ffo,n rapidly collapsing health.
Again I was summoned to the Commandant's office.
My goods were exactly as I had left them thirty minutes
before.
I was busily strapping up my goods when the door
opened to adroit the Commandant, guard and four other
prisoners, whom I had not seen before. One tall, good-
looking, sprucely dressed fellow impressed me. He
looked like a fellow-countryman. I went up to him.
" Are you English ? " I asked.
" Holy smoke ! What a treat to hear an English-
man. 'Put if there,' " and he extended his hand.
I prorfered mine which he shook as if it were a pump
handle. He with others had been arrested, hot as
spies, and had been detained in Wesel Arresthaus.
But being wealthy he had experienced an easy time.
" What are they going to do xvith us ? " I enquired.
" Why, haven't you heard ? They're going to send us
to a hotel and then it won't be long before we strike
good old England once more ! "
VAITING TO BE SHOT 89
The party were in high spirits. But I was not so
elated. I had evcry occasion fo be suspicious of Gcrlnan
bluff and inwardly would only bclieve we were going
home when I was safely out of the country. My fellow-
countryman, F----- K, who is a well-known figure
in City commercial circlcs, was wildly cxcited, and
was discussing his future arrangements very kcenly.
An escort appeared fo accompany us fo the mysterious
" hotel " about which the Commandant had bccn talk-
ing so glibly. We swung out of the prison. Glancing
at the clock I saw the rime was 8.30 p.m. As the main
gare clanged behind me I pulled myself together, a
new man. My eight days' solitary confinement had
come fo an end.
We tramped the street, the people taking but little
notice of us. Presently we met a big party of tourists
advancing and also under escort. They proved to be
the passengers of the pleasure steamer Krimhilde, who
had been detained. When they saw me, unkempt,
ragged, blood-stained, and dirty they immediately
drew away. They took me for an excellent specimen
of the genus hobo. Within a few seconds however
they learned something about my experiences and
became very chummy. F---- K communicated the
Iact that we were bound for an hot, !, and the spirits
of one and all rose.
The escort who had accompanied : from the prison
here handcd us over o that accom[a::ying the tourists
and we marchcd to/he station. A train was waiting
and we stepped aboard at nine o'clocl,_. There appeared
to be as many soldiers as passenger,. The members
90 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
of my party confidently thought the train was bound
for a point near the frontier or a restricted area by the
seashore. But I was not to be lulled into a false sense
of security. I questioned one of the officers and ascer-
tained our destination. Returlfing to the party I
laughingly asked, "Do you know for what hotel we're
bound ? "
"No! Whatisit? Whereisit?"cametheeager
request.
" The military camp at Scnnelagcr ! "
PRISON TWO--SENNEI,AGE I{
THE BLACK ItOLE OF GERMANY
CHAPTER VI
OUR LUXURIOUS IIOTFL
ALTHOUGH it was 9.25 Tuesday evcning when we
boarded the train in Wesel station, en route for the
" luxurious hotel where we were to receive every kind-
ness consistent with the noblest traditions of German
honour," there did not appcar to be any anxiety fo
part with our company. There wcre about sixty of us
all told, and we were shepherded with as pronounced
a display of German military pomp and circumstance
as would bave been manifested if the All-Highest him-
self, had been travelling. Wesel station swarmed with
officers and men who apparently had nothing else
to do but fo perambulate the platforms, the officers
swaggering with typical Teuton arrogance, and the
humble soldiers clattering to and fro in utter servility,
merely emphasising their existence by making plenty
of noise with their cumbrous boots and rifles.
At midnight the train started. The majority of
my companions were the maie passengers of military
age who had been detained Irom the pleasure steamer
Krimhilde while travelling up the Rhine. The military
authorities in charge of the train received bulky sheafs
of papers, each of which related to one passengcr, and
was packed with the most minute details. I am afraid
my record must bave been somewhat imposing, inas-
much as I commanded considerable and unappreciated
attention Irom the military, while my fellow prisoners
regarded me_with a keen curiosity.
91
92 FOUR GERIAN PRISONS
I must admit that my personal appearance was far
from being attractive. I looked even more ragged,
un-cared for, and ilI than I was when facing my accusers
at the midnight trial some days beIore. I was shirt-
less, collarless, and tie-less, lIy hair was matted and
clotted with congealed blood freely mixed with dirt.
Iy face, in addition to a week's growth of hair, was
smeared with black marks which I had not been able
to remove owing to my inability to get soap to wash
myself with. lIy frock-coat and trousers, frayed at
the bottoms, were sadly soiled and contrasted strangely
with the fancy pattern tops of my patent boots. In
fact, I admitted to the party, that "I must bave
looked a ' knut' of the finest type ! "" All things con-
sidered I am not surprised that at first I was shunned by
one and all, both compatriots and the military guards.
Although the distance from Wesel to Paderborn--
Sennelager is three miles outside the latter town--is
only about 95 miles as the crow flics, the railway takes
a somewhat circuitous route. Owing to the extensive
movement of the troops we suffered considerable delay,
the result being that we did not reach our destination
until about midday on the Wednesday, the journey
haing occupied nearly twelve hours. The heat was
unbearable, and confinement within the carriages, the
windows of which were kept sedulously closed by order
of the military, thus rendering the atmosphere within
stifling, speedily commenced to affect some of the pas-
sengers. Each compartment carried seven prisoners,
and the eighth seat, one of the windows beside the
door, was occupied by a soldier--the guard of the
compartment---complete with loaded rifle and fixed
bayonet.
Sleep was out of the question, but this did not affect
us seriously. We were somewhat excited, and spent
the hours of the night in conversation and the exchange
of experiences. In out party was an English gentleman,
Ir. K., 1 who held an important position in a large
The names and occupations of fellow-prisoners who are still in
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL " 93
business house in one of the cities on the Rhine. Some-
how he was attracted to me, moved, no doubt by my
general appearance, and because I was now showing
visible signs of my incarceration and experiences in
Wesel prison. I may say that to Mr. K I undoubt-
edly owe my life, and I noyer can express my thanks
sufficiently for his unremitting attention and kindness
during mg subsequent illness, as I narrate in due course.
lXIoreo, er, during his sojourn anmng us he was a tower of
strength, having long been resident in the country,
and thoroughly conversant with the language and man-
ners of the Germans.
It was during this tedious train iourney that he
related the cxperiences of the passengers upon the
unfortunate steamer Kri»zhilde. Many of the English-
men who happened to be upon this boat had been
held up for a week in various towns, owing to the
stress of mobilisation. But at last permission was given
by the authorities to proceed, and the delayed travel-
lers were assured of an uninterrupted iourney to Eng-
land. Unfortunately the passage down the Rhine was
impeded by fog, and this delay proved fatal. When
it was possible to resume the iourney, and while
the steamer was lnaking a good pace, a river patrol
boat dashed up and ordered the captain of the steamer
to stop, the reason being that no intimation had been
received of the vessel's coming.
The captain protested, but at the point of the re-
volver he was compelled to turn round and return to
the place which he had left only a few hours previously.
The re-arrival of the Krimhilde af this point aroused
considerable interest, and the authorities demanded
the reason. The captain explained, but receiving a
re-assurance that everythingwas in order and as origin-
ally expressed, he was free to travel down the river.
captivity are purposely disguised, because if the German authorities
should happen to read this narrative, and be enabled to identiIy
any of my compatriots who participated in any of the incidents
recorded, they would receive treatment which would b¢ decidedly
detrimental to their welfare.H. C. M.
94 FOUR GER.IAN PRISONS
Again the journey was atternpted and all went well
until the boat was approaching Wesel. Then another
patrol boat fussed up, the officer of which boarded the
steamer. Again the captain presented his permit and
expressed his determination to go ahead.
" We don't know anything about that," returned
the boarding oflïcer, referring to the permit. " My
orders are to stop every vessel carrying Englishmen ! "
The boarding-oflïcer turned and ordered all the male
prisoners to separate themselves frorn the ladies. Pass-
ports wêre produced upon dernand and closely scrutin-
ised. Then the oflïcer, stepping back a few paces,
beckoned the nearest man. His narne was dernanded
fo identify the passport and then a brief hurried cross-
examination proceeded, culminating in the question"
" I Iow old are you ? "
" Thirty-eight ! "
"Step this side ! " retorted the officer, who proceeded
to exanfine the succeeding passenger, to whom the
self-same questions were repeated, the final interro-
gation being the passenger's age.
" Fifty-seven!" carne the response.
The offlcer scanned the passport and finding the
answer to be correct remarked, "Step over there!"
indicating his left.
By the time the officer had cornpleted his interro-
gations the male passengers were divided into two
groups. Meanwhile the women and children had
gathered round, following the proceedings, which ap-
peared inexplicable to thern, with a strange silence and
a fcarful dread.
"Ail you rnen of rnilitary age," continued the officer
speaking to the group of younger-looking rnen, " are
to go ashdre. You will be detained as prisoners of war.
You have ten minutes to pack your trunks and to say
' Good-bye ! ' So hurry up ! "
At this intelligence a fearful hub-bub broke out.
The wornen and children who were to be separated
from their husbands, Iathers, and relatives gave way
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL" 95
fo lamentation and hysterical raving. While the men
packed their trunks under official supervision their
wives and children clung fo them desperately. But
the men realising that war is war, accepted the situ-
ation philosophically, even cheerfully. They were
buoyed up by the official assurance that their detention
was merely a matter of form, and that they would
soon be released and free to proceed to their homes.
I may say that this is a favourite ruse followed by
the Germans in ail the camps in which I was i,aterned,
and I discovered that it was general throughout lhe
country. It is always expressed whenever the l'eulon
see trouble brcwing. Undoubtedly it is practised to
keep the prisoners keyed up to a feverish pitch of
hopefulness. Certainly if succeeded for a rime,
although such announcements af a later date, when we
had seen through the subterfuge, were received with
ironical cheering and jcers.
Af such a sudden and summary cleavage between
families many distressing and pathetic scenes were wit-
nessed. On board there happened to be a wealthy
young member of the Russian nobility--Prince L
He was travelling with his sister and friends and was
ar flore well.
The sister approached the officer and pleaded hard Ior
her brother's release. If was reIused. GrieI-stricken
the Princess fell on her knees and with tears stream-
ing down her cheeks, kissed the officer's boots and
of/ered ail her ]ev«elsthey must have been worth a
considerable amount o money--'«,hich she hastily tore
of/and held in her outstretched hands.
For the moment even the officer was somexvhat
moved. Then in a quiet, determined voice he remarked.
"I am exceedingly sorry, but I cannot grant your
request. I ara merely acting on my orders. But I can
assure you that your brother in common with ail the
others here, will be looked after. Not a hair oI their
heads shall be injured. They will ail be treated
according to the best and noblest traditions of German
06 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
honour, 1 and the regulations which have been drawn
up among the Powers concerning the treatment of
prisoners of war." With these words the Prince was
cast aside with the others.
In another instance the wife and child of an English-
man, Mr. C, refused to be parted. The vife clung
round her husband's neck while the child held to his
coat. She expressed her determination to go fith
her husband, no mattcr what nfight happen, and was
on the verge of hysterics. Every one was moved and
strove to coax hcr into quietness, while an oflïcer even
accompanied her off the boat with her husband. On the
quay efforts were repeated to placate her and to induce
her to allow her husband to proceed. But all in vain.
At last, drawing the lady forcibly away, though vith
no greater force than was necessary, the oflïcer himself
attcmpted to console her.
" Do not worry. I will do all I can for you, and will
see you do not want during the time your husband is
interned."
What became of Mrs. C and her child just then
I do not know, because at that moment the boat sheered
off with a sorrowftfl and crying list of passengers who
waved frantic farewells. Alas! I fear that n some
instances that was the last occasion upon which
husband and wife ever saw one another, and when
children vere parted from " daddy " for lire.
Such was the story related by Mr. K After the
boat had left, the detained prisoners, he explained,
wcre formed up on the quay, and surrounded by an
imposing guard vith fixed bayonets, were marched
off. It was a sad party. All that was dearest in lire
to them had been torn away ata few minutes' notice
through the short-sightedness of Prussian nfilitarism
or the desire of the Road-hog of Europe to display his
officialism and-the authority he had enjoyed for but a
few days. Many of these tourists, as one might natur-
* The traditions of German honour were dinned into our ears at
every turn.--H. C. M.
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL " 97
ally expect, were sorely worried by the thoughts as fo
what would become of their loved ones upon their
arrival in England, many without money or friends fo
receive them. This was the discussion that occupied
their minds when they were marching towards Wesel
Station, and when the tiny party, of which I was one,
being marched from Wesel prison, met them in the
street, as already related.
As for ourselves we were soon destined fo faste the
pleasures of the best traditions of German honour.
No provisions of any kind whatever had been placed
on the train for our requirements. What was more
we were denied the opportunity fo purchase any food
at any station where we happened fo stop. At one
point a number of girls pressed round the carriages
offering glasses of milk af 2o pfennigs. As we were all
famished and parched there was a brisk trade. But
the moment the officers saw vhat was happening
they rushed forward and drove the girls back by force
of arms.
So far as our compartment was concerned we were
more fortunate than many of our colleagues. Our
soldier warden was by no means a bad fellow at heart.
In his pack he carried his daily ration--two thick hunks
of black bread. He took this out and instantly
profered one hunk fo us, which we gladly accepted and
divided among ourselves.
Those being the early days of the war the German
soldier was a universal favourite among the civilians.
Directly one was espied he became a magnet. The
women, girls and elder men rushed forward and wildly
thrust ail sorts of comestibles into his hands. Un-
happily we did not stop af many stations ; our train
displayed a galling preference for lonely signal posts,
so that the chances of our guard receiving many such
gifts were distinctly limited. But at one station he
did receive an armful of br0dchen--tiny loaves--which
he divided amongst us subsequently with the greatest
camaraderie.
c)8 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
But his comrades in other compartments were not
so well-disposed. With true Prussian fiendishness
they refused to permit their prisoners to buy anything
for themselves, and to drive them to exasperation and
to make them feel their position, the guards wolfld
ostentatiously devour their own meals and gifts.
While we did not really receive suflîcient to stay
still out guard did his best for us, an act which we appre-
ciated and reciprocated by making a collection on his
behalf. XVhen we proffered this slight recognition of
his courtesy and sympathetic feeling he declined to
accept it,
He
was one of the very few well-disposed Germans Iever
met.
Upon arriving at Sennelager Station we were
unceremoniously bundled out of the train. Those who
had trunks and bags were roughly bidden to shoulder
them and to fall in for the match to the camp. The
noon heat was terrible. "I'he sun poured dom lln-
mercifully, and after twelve hours' confinement in the
stuffy railway carriages few could stretch their limbs.
But the military guards set the marching pace and we
had to keep toit. If we lagged we were prodded into
activity by means of the rifle.
Sennelager camp lies upon a plateau overlooking the
railway, and itis approached by a incling road. "I'he
acclivity although somewhat steep is not long, but we,
famished and worn from hunger, thirst, and lack of
sleep, found the struggle with the sand into which out
feet sank over out ankles, almost insuperable. Those
burdened with baggage soon showed signs of distress.
Many were now carrying a parcel for the first rime in
their lives and the ordeal completely broke them up.
Prince L had a heavy bag, and belote he had gone
far the soft skin of one hand had been completely chafed
away, leaving a gaping, bleeding wound. To make
matters worse the hot sand was drifting slflkily and
clogging his wound set up untolcl agony.
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL " 99
Prince L ruade a representation fo the officer-
in-charge, showing his bleeding hand, but he was
received xvith a mocking smirk and a curt command fo
" Iove on ! " The weaker burdened prisoners lagged,
but the bayonet revived them. One or two gave out
completely, but others, such as myself, who were hot
encumberd, extended a helping hand, half-carrying
them up the hill.
Reaching the camp the Commanding OFficer, a
ffiendly old General whose naine I nevcr heard, hurried
up.
" v,qat's the meaning of this ? " he blurtcd out in
amazement.
" Prisoners of war for internmcnt!" replicd our
officer-in-charge.
" But I don't know anything about thcm. I have
received no instructions. Thcre is no accommodation
for them here ! "protested the Gencral.
Our officer produced his imposing shcaf of papcrs
and the two disappeared into the office.
The fcelings of the party af this intelligence may be
conceived. The maiority droppcd, in a state of semi-
collapse in the sand, their belongings strewn around
them, utter deiection written on their faces.
After what I had experienced at Wesel I was pre-
pared for anything. I had already learned the futility
of giving way. I felt no inclination to sit or lie in the
blistering sand. I caught sight of a stretch of inviting
turf, ruade my way to it, and threv myself down upon
it. But I was not to enioy the luxury of Nature's
couch. A soldier came bustling up and before I
grasped his intentions I was hustled off, with the
intimation that if I wanted to lie down I must do so
in the sand.
The fact that no arrangements had been ruade for
our reception was only too obvious. It was about
noon when the two officers disappeared into the official
building to discuss the papers referring to our arrival,
and it was six in the evening before they had corne fo
oo FOUR GERIAN PRISONS
any decision. Tlu'oughout these six hours we were
left lying on the scorching sand in the broiling sun
without a bite of food. Seeing that many of us had
eaten little or nothing since the early evening of the
previous day itis hot surprising that the greater part
were knocked up. One or two of us caught sight of
the canteen provided for the convenience of recruits,
and succeeded in getting a fexv mouthfuls, but they were
hot worth considcration. I myself whiled away the
rime by enjoying a wash af the pump and giving myself
the luxury of a shave. I bought a small cake of coarse
soap and never enjoyed an ablution so keenly as that
al /'esco wash, shave, shampoo, and brush-up at
Sennelager. When I came back thoroughly refreshed
I had changed my appearance so completely that I was
scarc,ly recognised. Even the soldiers looked at me
twice to make sure I was the correct man.
Latcr a doctor appeared upon the scene. His name
was Dr. Ascher, and as events proved he was the only
friend we ever had in the camp. He enquired if any
one felt ill. Needless to say a goodly number, suffering
from hunger, thirst and fatigue, responded to his
enquiry. Realising the reason for their unIortunate
[,light he bustled up to the Commanding Of Scer and
emphasised the urgent necessity to give us a meal.
]3ut he was not entirely successful. Then he in-
spected us one by one, giving a cheering word here, and
cracking a friendly ioke thcre. The hand of Prince
L rcceived instant attcntion, while other slight
injuries were also sympathetically treated. The heart
of one and ail went out to this ministering angel, to
whose work and indeIatigable efforts on our behalf I
refer in a subsequent chapter.
At last we were ordered to the barracks near by. It
was a large masonry building, each room being pro-
vided with beds and straw upon the floor. Subse-
quently, however, we were moved to less comfortable
quarters where there were three buildings in one, but
qubdivided by thick masonrv walls, therebv Dreventing
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL " "roi
all intercommunication. Here our sleeping accolnmo-
dation comprised bunks, disposed in two tiers, nade of
wood and with a sack as a mattress.
Whether itis my natural disposition or ancestral
blood I do not know, but it has ever been my practice
in lire to emulate Mark Tapley and to sec the humor-
ous aspect of the most depressing situation. The
" luxurious hotel," to which we were consigned accord-
ing " to the best and most noble traditions of German
honour," moved me to unrestrained inirth, when once
I had taken in our surroundings. My levity fell like
a cold water douche upon my companions, while the
guards frowned menacingly. But to me it was impos-
sible to refrain from an outburst of merriment. It was
quite in accordance with German promises, which are
composed of the two ingredientsuncompromising
bluff and unabashed deliberate lying, leavened vith a
sprinkling of disarming suavity. I had tastcd this
characteristic at Wesel and frankly was nota bit sur-
prised at anything which loomcd up, always resolving
at all hazards fo make the best of an uncomfortable
position.
Upon turning into our unattractive suite our first
proceeding was to elect a Captain of our barrack.
Selection fell ùpon Mr. K, as he was an ideal inter-
mediary, being fluent in the language. We turned in,
the majority being too tired to growl at their lot, but
there was precious little sleep. During the day, the
heat at Sennelager in the summer is intolerable, but
during the night it is freezing. Out arrival hot having
been anticipated, we had nothing with which to keep
ourselves warm. A few days passed belote the luxury
of a blanket was bestowed upon us.
The morning after out arrival we drew up an imposing
list of complaints for which we demanded ilnmediate
redress. We also expressed in detail out requirements,
which we requested to be fulfilled forthwith. Then
we decided to apportion this part of the camp for
cricket, that for general recreation and so forth. By
lO2 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
the rime we had completed out intentions, all of which
were carried unanimously, several sheets of foolscap
had been filled, or rather would bave been filled liad we
been possessed of any paper. This duty completed
we set out upon an exploring expedition, intending to
inspect all corners of the camp. But if we thought
we were going to wander whitlier we pleased we were
soon disillusioncd. We were huddled in one corner
and out boundaries, although undefined in the concrete
were substantial in the abstract, bcing imaginary lines
run between sentries standing with loaded rifles and
fixed bayoncts.
One and all wondered how we should be able to pass
away the rime. \Ve could neither write nor read
owing to a complete lack of facilities. Idleness would
surely drive us crazy. Out recreations were severely
limited, depending upon our own ingenuity. For the
first few days we could do nothing beyond promenading,
discussing the war and our situation. These two
subjects were speedily worn thread-bare since we
knew nothing about the first topic and were only able to
speculate vaguely about the second. The idea of being
made to work never entered out heads for a moment.
Were we hot civilian prisoners of war : the victims of
circumstances under the shield of the best traditions of
German honour ?
But we were hot the first arrivals at Sennelager.
We were preceded by a few hours by a party of French
soldiers--captives of war. They were extremely sul-
len. Travel and battle-stained they crouched and
stretched themselves upon the ground. ",hence they
came I was never able to discover. One or two of out
party who were versed in the French tongue endeav-
oured to draw them into conversation, but to no pur-
pose. They either replied in vague monosyllables or
deliberately ignored the questions. There is no doubt
the poor fellows felt their early capture very sorely,
and had accordingly sunk into the depths of despair.
Sulky and morose they glared fiercely upon any
OUR " LUXURIOUS HOTEL" lO3
approach, and when they did anything it was with an
ill-grace impossible to describe. Indeed, they were so
downcast that they refused to pay the slightest atten-
tion to their personal appearance, which accentuatcd
their forbidding aspect.
Killing time as best we could, doing nothing soon
began to reveal its ill-effects upon those who, like myself,
had always led an active life. I approached Dr.
Ascher, explained that idleness would drive me mad,
and petitioned him to permit me to work in the hospital.
I did not care what the job was so long as it effectivcly
kept me cmployed. He sympathised with my sugges-
tion and hurried off to the Commanding Ollïcer. But
he came back shaking his head negatively. ïhe
authorities would not entertain the proposal for an
instant.
Suddenly we were paraded. Rakes and brooms
were served out to every man and we were curtly
ordered to sweep the roads. We buckled into this
task. But the dust was thick and the day was hot.
Soon we were all perspiring freely. But we were not
permitted to test. Over us was placed a bull-headed,
fierce-looking Prussian soldier armed with a murderous
looking whip. I should think he had been an animal
trainer belote being mobilised from the manner in
which he cracked that whip. When he saw any one
taking a breather up he came, glaring menacingly and
cracking the whip with the ferocity of a lion-ramer.
We evinced a quaint respect for that whip, and I
firmly believe that out guardian inwardly fretted and
fumed because he was denied the opportunity to lay
it across out backs. Several of us nearly got it,
however.
We were sweeping away merrily when, suddenly,
we gave way to a wild outburst of mirth. Oxe
couldn't sweep for laughing. The guards around
us looked on in wonder.
"Christopher! boys !" I at last blurted out,
" We were talking just now about recreation, and were
xo4 FOUR GERItAN PRISONS
emphatic about xx'hat we 'ere, and were not, going
to do. I reckon this wants a lot of beating for recrea-
tion!" The oddity of the situation so tickled us
that we had fo collapse ffom laughter.
But a warning shout brought us fo our feet. Mr.
Mobilised Lion Tamer x-as bearing down upon us
x-aving his xvhip. He lashed out. We saw if coming
and dodged. By the rime the thong struck the
road wc -ere brushing up dense clouds of dust, sinng,
whistling, and roaring the x'ords, " Britons never
shall bc sla-cs ! "
lhe dust screcn sa'ed us. It was so efficient that
the furious guardian with the whip had fo beat a
hurried rctreat.
One morning we were paraded at six o'clock as usual.
Ïhe adjutant, anothcr fierce-x-isaged Prussian, astride
his horse, faced us. With assumed majesty he roared
out an order. The guards closed in. What was going
to happen now ?
Amid a tense silcnce he shouted spluttcring with
rage :
" You damned English s-ine ! Yes! You English
dogs! You are the cause of this war, and you qA1
ha'e fo surfer for it. We could punish you sex-erely.
But that is not the German way. We could make
you xx'ork. But the traditions of German honour
Iorbid. Your Government has gouged out the eyes
of German prisoners ho hax-e had the misfortune
fo Iall into their hands. We don't propose fo take
those measures. While your Go'ernment has stopped
af nothing we are going to show you how Gerlnany
fulfils the traditions of her honour, and respects the
laws fo x-hich all civilised nations ha'e subscribed.
But remember ! We are going to bring England to
ber knees. Aren't we, men ? "
" Ja! Ja !" (Yes! Yes !) came the wild singing
reply from the excited guards.
CHAPTER VII
13REAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER
No doubt the pompous adjutant plumcd himsclf upon
his tirade and the impression it had created among
the guards. But at the rime it was as so much Greek
to us. We wondered what it all rotant and what had
prompted his strange speech.
It was not until my return home that I was able
to appreciate the reason. But the bitterness with
which he delivered his harangue certainly proved that
he believed the stories which had evidcntly bcen
sedulously circulated throughout Gcrmany relative
to the alleged mal-treatment and torture of Gcrman
military prisoners by the British. Unfortunately,
no steps apparently were taken to disprove these
deliberate lying statements for which we had to pay
the penalty.
But I was not reassured by the Adjutant's honeyed
words concerning the example which Germany pro-
posed to set to the t3ritish. I guessed that something
which would not redound to out welfare and comfort
was in the air. It is the German method to preach
one thing and to practise somcthing diametrically
opposite. I had already learned this. Nor was I
destined to be mistaken in my surmise.
A little later there was another parade. The oflîcer
roared.
" All those who are engineers step out ! "
A number, including myself, although absolutely
ignorant of the craft, stepped out, because here was
the opportunity to secure some form of active employ-
ment.
Io6 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
" You are engineers ? " he shouted.
We nodded assent.
" Cn you build a drain ? "
Again we nodded affirmatively.
We vere marshalled, and one of us, lIr. C , who
vas a civil engineer, was selected as leader. We were
marched off and set fo work to dig a drain for the
camp.
We built that drain, but it was necessity's labour lost.
We were not provided with proper drain pipes but
made an open conduit. We had to go to the quarry
to get the stone, which we broke into small pieces, and
these were set out in concave format the bottom of
the trench we had excavated after the manner in which
cobble stones are laid. I believe it was considered to
be an excellent piece of work, but unfortunately it
was of little use. The first wind and rain that came
along dumped the sand into it with the result that
it became filled up.
A day or two later there vas another parade. Once
more the oflïcer stood before us with a long sheet of
paper in his hand.
" AI1 those who can do wire-pulling stand out !"
Those who knev about what he was talking advanced
fo forma little group.
"All those who are gardeners stand out ! "
Nore men advanced and another group resulted.
The oflïcer went right through his list calling out
a long string of trades and callings. The result was
our sub-division into a number of small units, each
capable of fulfilling some task. A sentry was appointed
to each group and we vere hurried off to the particular
toil for which we considered ourselves tobe fitted, and
about which I will say more later.
If the accommodation at the " luxurious hotel "
was uTetched the routine and cuisine were worse. We
were under military discipline as it is practised in
Prussia, and it was enforced with the utmost rigour.
We were hot permitted to speak to an officer under any
BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER lO 7
pretext whatever. Any complains or requcsts had
to be carried to the authorities through our °' Captain,"
who was also the oflïcially recognised intcrpreter. If
we met an oflïcer we were commanded to raise out hats.
The day started at 6.0 a.m., with parade. If we
desired to have a wash and shave we had to be astir
an hour earlier because otherwise we were hot allowed to
perform those essential duties until late in the evening.
After parade we had breakfast--a basin of lukewarm
" coffee " ruade from acorns roasted and ground,
which we had to fetch, and with which neither milk
nor sugar was served.
At seven o'clock we started the day's work, which
was continued without respire until nfid-day. At
least that was the official order, but one or two of
the guards were far Irom being harsh towards us.
In the middle of the morning, as in our case, the warder,
after a wary look round, would ask if we would like
to rest for ten minutes to snatch something to eat
if we had it. Needless to say the slight respite was
greatly appréciated. But it was by no means the
general practice. One or two of the sentries were so
deeply incensed against England that they took the
opportunity to bait and badger the men in their charge
wthout mercy. They kept the prisoners under them
going hard without a break or pause.
At noon we returned to barracks for dinner. Arnfing
ourselves with our basins we scrambled down to the
cook-house for our rations. It was red-cabbage soup,
and it was never varie& But if was the strangest
soup I have ever seen ruade or tasted, more particu-
larly during the early days.
There was a big cauldron with boiling water. Along-
side was a table on which the cabbages were cut up.
A handful of cabbage was picked up and dumped into
the cauldron. Directly it hit the water the cabbage
was considered tobe cooked and was served out.
Consequently the meal comprised merely a basin of
lO8 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
sloshy boiling water in .which floated some shreds of
uncooked red cabbage. Sometimes the first batch of
men succeeded in finding the cabbage warmed through :
it had been left in the water for a few seconds. But
the last batch invariably fared badly. The cooks
realising that there would be insuflîcient to go round
forthxvith dumped in tvo or three buckets of cold
water to eke it out. Somctimes, but on very rare
occasions, a little potato, and perhaps a bone which
had once been associatcd with meat, vould be round
in the basin lurking under a piece of cabbage leaf.
Ultimately some French and Belgians were put in
charge of the kitchen. Then there xvas a slight im-
provemcnt. The cabbage was generally well-cooked
and the soup was hot. But although these cooks did
thcir best, it did not amount to much, for the simple
reason that the authorities would not permit any further
ingrcdients whatcver.
At 2.0 p.m., there was another parade, followed by
a return to work which was continued without inter-
misson for another four hours. At six in the evening
we returned to barracks for a third parade after which
we xvere dismissed for tea. This was another far flore
appetising meal, mcrely constituting a repetition of
the breakfast rationa basin of lukewarm acorn coffee
without milk or sugar. In addition to the foregoing
we were served with a portion of a loaf of black bread
on alternate mornings. This supply, if you got it,
had to last six meals.
It will be realised that our wardens were far flore
being disposed to fecd us up. We grumbled against
the rations, their monotony and insuflïciency, but we
received no amelioration of our condition. In fact,
our petitions were ignored. We were told that if
we wanted more or greater variety of food we must
buy it from the canteen. We had to act upon this
recommendation just to keep ourselves alive.
The canteen was run by the most unprincipled
scoundrel I have ever met. He was a civilian specula-
BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER io 9
for who saw the chance fo fatten on the British pris-
oners. He fleeced us in two ways. Not only wcre his
prices extortionate, but he gave a ridiculous exchange
for British currency, especially gold. Aflcr consider-
able persuasion and deliberation he vould change a
hall sovereign for 7½ marks--Ts. 6d. We complained
but could get no redress for such a depreciation.
Other coins were in proportion.
Br6dchen in limited quantities were brought in
every day. We could buy these af 5 pfennigs--one
halfpenny--apiece, or in the early days three for o
pfennigs. The latter practice was abandoned when
the pinch of flour shortage commenced fo be felt.
The br6dchen came in during the night, and owing to
the totally inadequate quantity purchased to meet
our needs, one had to be about early to secure a supply.
I, with others, have often been up at four o'clock in
the morning, lounging around the canteen, so as to
be among the first to be scrved when it opened at rive
o'clock. The scenes which were enacted around the
canteen in the early morning are indescribable. Civilians
strangely clad, and later badly wounded, limping
soldiers, sickly and white, waited patiently, no matter
what the weather, to buy a little bread.
The necessity to depend upon the canteen for a
sufficiency of food to keep us alive hit those who were
blessed with little money extremely hard. There was
one man--he said he was an Englishman, although
I have my doubts about it--who was brought to the
camp. He had nota farthing in his pocket. He said
his home was near the frontier, and that he often
slipped across it for a ride on his bicycle. He related
that he had been caught during one of these excursions,
to find himself ultimately at Sennelager. That man
was a mystery. He was kept alive by the others
more or less, and he accompanied us to various prisons.
But subsequently he obtained his papers in a mysterious
manner, and was seen no more. He vanished in the
darkness as it were, and the German guards were not
IiO FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
disposed fo talk about him. It has always been out
suspicion that he vas sent among us dth an ulterior
motive which it is impossible to divine.
Those vho could not purchase supplies from the
canteen were assisted by their more fortunate comrades.
The lucky ones divided their purchases so that the
unfortunate individuals might not feel their position
or surfer want. This practice was tangibly assisted
by one or two prisoners who were well supplied with
lnoney, especially Prince L , who became the
general favourite of the camp from his fellow-feeling,
camaraderie, sympathy, and sportsmanship.
One morning he came across a poor prisoner who
looked very ill. He appeared fo be hall starved, as
indeed he was from his inability fo buy any food.
After a short conversation the Prince slipped rive
sovereigns into the man's hand and bolted before he
could be thanked. Unfortunately this poor fellow is
still in prison, but he bas never forgotten the Prince's
kindness.
The day after our arrival af Sennelager the Prince
came fo me and drew my attention fo my shirtless
condition. I explained the reason for its disappearance
and that I could not get another as the authorities
were still holding my heavy baggage containing further
supplies. He said nothing as he went away, but a
quarter of an hour later he returned with a new gar-
ment from his own kit which he forced me fo accept.
Another day, the party with which I was working
were coming in to the evening meal. He hailed us
and invited one and all to accompany him fo the
canteen to have a chop with him. That was the finest
meal I had tasted slnce my feast in Wesel prison.
Some rime later Prince L succeeded in getting
home. Although he was heartily congratulated upon
his good fortune, his absence was sorely felt by those
whom he was in the habit of befriending.
Af nine o'clock we had fo be in bed. Some of the
more untameable spirits rebe!led af the order to
BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER
extinguish lights at this hour, but in our barrack Captain
K rigidly insisted that the regulation should be
observed. He feared the antagonism of the officers
might be aroused, tn which event we should be ruade to
surfer for our fractiousness. The disputes between
the prisoners and the sentries over the lights were
interminable. The men would be ordered to extinguish
their oil lamp. If they did not respond with suflïcient
alacrity the sentry cluttered up and put it out himself.
Ata later date, however, the hour for " lights out "
was extended to xo p.m.
The German nation is ever held up as the world's
apostle of hygiene and sanitary science. However
true this may be in regard to civic and rural lire if
certainly does not apply to prison and military exist-
ence. We were occupying the quarters normally
assigned to recruits. Yet Sennelager was absolutely
devoid of the most primitive features of a sale sanitary
system. There was an open cesspool within a stone's
throw of the barracks, the stench rom which, during
the heat of the summer, may be better imagined than
described. No disinectants whatever were used,
and at intervals of three days it was emptied by the
crudest means imaginable, on which occasions the
barracks were not only untenantable but absolutely
unapproachable. In act, the conditions were so
primitive and revolting that the outbreak of an epidemic
was momentarily expected, not only by ourselves but
by the authorities as well.
This danger was brought home to us xvhen we were
compdled to submit to the ordeal of vaccination.
Even this task was carried out under conditions which
no other civilised country would permit for a moment,
for the simple reason that antiseptic precautions were
conspicuous by their complete absence. The order
arrived that we were tobe vaccinated on such and
such a morning " in the interests of the campboth
prisoners and soldiers." We were ordered to line up
in a queue outside a srnall building which we were to
I2 FOUR GERIIAN PRISONS
enter singly in succession. We were commanded to
have out arms bared to the shoulder in readiness.
Vaccination was not carried out by Dr. Ascher, the
oncial medical attendant to the camp, but by a young
military doctor who came especially for the purpose.
Whether it was because the temperature within the
small building was too sultry or not I cannot say, but
the vaccinator decided to complete his work in the
open air, the fact that a dust-storm was raging not-
withstanding. The military doctor was accompanied
by a colleague carrying a small pot or basin which
evidently contained the serum. The operation was
performed quickly if crudely. The vaccinator stopped
before a man, dipped his lance or whatever the instru-
lnent was into the iar, and gripping the arm tightly
just above the elbow, ruade four big slashes on the
muscle. The incisions were large, deep, and brutal-
looking. Then he passed to the next man, repeating
the process, and so on ail along the line. He took no
notice of the dust which was driving hither and thither
in clouds.
Whether by misfortune or mishap I received four
striking gashes, and the shape of the incisions made me
wonder whether the vaccinator thought he was playing
a gaine of noughts and crosses with a scalpel upon my
arm. AIter we had been wounded in this manner we
were in a quandary. Our arms were thic-kly covered
with the driIting sand. Our shirt sleeves were equally
soiled. Consequently infection of the wound appeared
tobe inevitable whatever we did. In this unhappy
frame of mind and dirty condition we were dismissed.
Unfortunately for me I proved resistant to the serum,
and had to submit to the operation a second time with
equally abortive results. One or two of the prisoners
suffered untold agonies, blood-poisoning evidently
setting in to aggravate the action of the serum.
The primitive sanitary arrangements which prevailed
brought one plague upon us. We.[suffered from a
pestilence of flies which under the circumstances was
BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER 113
hot surprising, everything being conducive to their
propagation. They swarmed around us in thick
black clouds. They recalled the British housefly,
only they were much larger, and extremely pugnacious.
Lire within the barracks became almost impossible
owing to their attacks and the severity of their stings,
which set up maddening irritation. XVe petitioned
the authorities to allow us a supply of fly-papers.
After considerable demur they acquiesced, but we could
not use them, or rather they were used up too rapidly.
The evening we received them we decided to attach a
few to the ceiling, but belote we could fix thcm in
position their fly-catching capacities were exhausted.
They were covered with a heaving, buzzing black
mass of insects within a minute. So we abandoned
fly-catching tactics.
This pestilence harassed us sorely during out meals.
They settled everywhere and upon everything. While
butter or margarine were unobtainable at the canteen
we were able to purchase a substance which resembled
honey in appearance, colour, and taste. Indeed we
were told that it was an artificial product of the beehive.
When we spread this upon out bread the files swarmed
to the attack, and belote the food could be raised to
our mouths the bread was not to be seen for flies. At
first we spent considerable effort in brushing the insects
away, but their numbers were too overwhelming to
be resisted, so we were compelled to run the risk of the
files, and I, in common with others, have eaten bread,
honey, and files as well !" It took considerable rime and
effort to toaster such a revolting meal, but under these
conditions, it was either files or nothing, so we tan the
risk of the insects, although it cannot be said that they
contributed to the tastiness of an already indifferent
food, or out peace of mind, because we could not dismiss
thoughts of the cesspool which the flies ruade their
happy hunting-ground during the periods between
meals.
Infraction of the rules and regulations were frequent,
H
114 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
for the simple reason that they were never explained fo
us. We had fo learn them as best we could--invariably
through the experience of punishment. This state
of affairs placed us af the mcrcy of the guards. Those
who were venomously anti-British expended their
savagery upon us on every occasion. For the slightest
misdcmeanour we were consigned to the cells for one,
two, three, or more days. The cell recalled my domicile
in Wesel, and I must confess that I made the acquaint-
ance of ifs uninviting intcrior upon several occasions
through inadvertently breaking some rule. But the
others fared no bctter in this respect. It was cells for
anything.
ïhis prison was a small masonry building, fitted with
a tiny grating. It was devoid of all appointments,
not even a plank bed being provided. To sleep one
had fo stretch one's self on the floor and secure as much
comfort as the cold stone would afford. Bread and
water was the diet. Ail exercise was denied, except
possibly for the brief stretch accompanied by the
sentry to fetch the mid-day meal of soup, assuming
the offence permitted such food in the dietary, from the
cook-house. Conversation with a fellow-creature was
rigidly verboten. It was solitary confinement in ifs
most brutal form.
The method of punishment was typically Prussian.
If one upset the guard by word or deed, he clapped you
in the cell right-away and left you there. Possibly
he went off fo his superior oflïcer fo report your offence.
But the probability was that he did not. Indeed it
was quite likcly that he forgot all about you for a rime,
because the sentry af the door never raised the slightest
interrogation concerning a prisoner within. More
than once a prisoner was forgotten in this manner,
and accordingly was condemned fo the silence, solitude,
and dismal gloom of the tiny prison until the guard
chanced fo recall him fo mind.
During my period of incarceration at Sennelager
the number of civil prisoners brought in fo swell out
]3REAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER 5
party was somewhat slender. They came in small
batches of ten or twelve, but were often fewer in number.
They invariably arrived about two o'clock in the
morning. Then the sentry would corne thumping
into the barrack, his heavy boots resounding like
horse's hoofs and his rifle clanging madly. Reaching
the room he would yell out with ail the power of
his lungs, thus awaking every one, " Dolmetscherl
Dolmetscher! " (Interpreter ! Interpreter !) " Get
up ! " That luckless individual had to bestir himself,
tumble into his clothes and hurry to the office to assist
the authorities in the official interrogation of the latest
arrivais. This was one of the little worries which
were sent to try us, but we soon bccame inured to the
rude disturbance of our rest, in which the average
sentry took a fiendish delight.
]3y the time the first Sunday came round, and having
nothing to do--all labour was suspended, although no
religious service was held--I decided to wash my
solitary shirt. I purchased a small cake of cheap
rough soap from the canteen, got a wooden tub, and
stripping myself to the waist, washed out the article
in question outside the barrack door to the amusement
of my colleagues. \Virile I was busily engaged in this
necessary occupation I was attracted by tittering and
chattering. Looking up I round I was the object of
curiosity among a crowd of civilians dressed in their
Sunday best. Together with my fellow-prisoners I
hurriedly retired to the sanctuary of out barracks.
Later we learned that on Sundays the residents of
Paderborn and the countryside around were free to
en-ter the camp to have a look at the ]3ritish prisoners.
Indeed they were invited. They stalked and wandered
about the camp in much the same manner as they would
have strolled through the Zoological Gardens in ]3erlin,
looking at us as if we were strange exotic animals,
chattering, laughing, and joking among themselves
at our expense. We considered this an unwarrantable
humiliation, and we countered it by the only means
6 FOUR GERlXIAN PRISONS
within our pover. We resolutely stayed indoors until
he gaping crowds had gone. This diversion of the
German public, if such it may be called, speedily fell
into desuetude, not because the novelty wore off, but
because the " Engliinder " were never to be seen, so
that the six-toile tramp from Paderborn to Sennelager
and back was merely wasted. It was a bitter dis-
appointment fo the curiosity-provoked crowds, but
we scored a distinct success.
The first Sunday I had to wander about shirtless,
the only garment of this character 'hich I possessed
hanging upon the line to dry. But the sight of a crowd
of us, on Sunday mornings, stripped bare to our waists,
washing and scrubbing the only shirts to our backs,
became quite a common sight later, and I must confess
that we ruade merry over this weekly duty for a rime.
We had not been in Sennelager many days before
we discovered to our cost that we were all suffering
solitary confinement. We were completely isolated
from the outside world. We were not permitted to
receive any letters or parcels. Neither were we
allowed to communicate with anyone outside. News-
papers were also sternly forbidden. These regulations
were enforced with the utmost rigour during my stay
at this camp. Consequently we -k_new nothing what-
ever about the outside world, and the outside world
knew nothing about us. Early in September I did
succeed in getting two postcards away, but I ascer-
tained afterwards that they did not reach their des-
tinations until some weeks after I had left Sennelager.
We felt this isolation very keenly because one and all
were wondering vaguely_ what our wives, families,
friends, or relatives were doing.
About ten days after our arrival at this hostelry
there »vas a parade. The adjutant strutted before us
with the pride of a peacock, and in his pompous ,«oice
cfied:
" All prisoners who reside in Germany because of
theix business connections, or 'ho are married to
BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER xx7
German wives, will bc permitted to return fo their
homes ! "
This announcement precipitated wild excitement
bccause it affected from twenty to thirty prisoners.
Needless fo say they packed their bags with frantic
speed, as if fearing cancellation of the welcome news,
and emerging from the barracks hastened to receive
their passes fo make their way to Paderborn. Among
them was the head of our barrack, Captain K
A strong friendship had sprung up between him and
me, and we shook hands vigorously though silcntly.
He illvited many others and myself, in the event of
our being given permission fo move about the country,
to come and stay af his house near C.
While every man Jack of us who was left behind
was heavy in his heart and became sad because he was
hot numbered among the privileged few, we were by
no means cast down. As the small party of free men
walked towards the entrance we gave them a frantic
and wild parting cheer. If was the first rime we had
let ourselves go and we did it vith a vengeance. The
German officers and men started as if electrified, and
looked at us in amazement. They thought we had
gone mad. Beside us stood one of the guards. He
turned to us, his eyes and mouth vide open, to mutter :
" My God! You English are a funny race!"
" What's the matter ?" we returned.
" What ? You cheer those fellows who are going
home and yet you are being left here ! "
" Why not ? Good luck fo them !" and we let fly
another terrific huzza to speed them on their way.
The guard shook his head, thoroughly puzzled. He
did not understand the psychology of the British race
any more than his superiors.
" But why do you cheer ? " pursued the guard.
" Because we are English," sxviftly retorted one of
our party. The guard said no more.
A day or two after the departure of our colleagues
there was a change in the command of the camp.
118 FOUR GERMAN PIISONS
The old General was supersedcd by a man whose name
will never be forgotten by the t3ritish prisoners of
Sennelager Camp. They will ever couple him with the
infamous instigator of the " Black Hole of Calcutta."
This was Major t3ach. Upon his assumption of the
command he inaugurated what can only be truthfully
described as a Reign of Terror. Tall, of decided mili-
tary bearing, he had the face of a ferret and was as
repulsive. With his sardonic grin he recalled no one
so vividly as the " Villain of the Vic ! "
The morning after his arrival he paraded us all, and
in a quiet suave voice vhich he could command at times
stated
" English prisoners ! Arrangements are being ruade
for your instant return fo England. A day or two
must pass before you can go, to enable the necessary
papers fo be completed and put in order. But you dll
not bave fo do any more vork."
We v¢re dismissed and I can assure you that we were
a merry, excited crowd. We jumped for joy at the
thought that out imprisonment had corne to an end.
Like schoolboys we hastened to the barracks and fever-
ishly set fo work packing our bags, whistling and sin#ng
joyously meanwhile.
Suddenly the bugle rang out summoning us to parade
again. We rushed out, all agog with excitement, and
half hoping that our release would be immediate.
The Adjurant confronted us and in a loud voice roared"
" English prisoners! You've been told that you
are going back fo England. That was a rnistake.
You will get to WOlk af once ! "
CHAPTER VIII
BADGERING THE BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS
IT was about a fortnight after my arrival at Senne-
lager. Out test had been rudely disturbed about the
usual hour of 2 a.m. by the sentry who came clattering
into the barrack roaring excitedly, " Dolmetscher!
Dolmetscher ! "
C-- who, after the departure of K--, had been
elected Captain of our barrack and who was also the
oncial interpreter, answered the summons. He was
required to accompany the guards to the station. A
further batch of British prisoners had arrived. By
this rime we had grown accustomed to this kind of
nocturnal disturbance, so after C-- had passed out
the test of the barrack re-settled clown to sleep.
I was astir just after four o'clock. It was my turn
to serve as barrack-room orderly for the day, and I
started in early to complete my task before 5.30 so as
to secure the opportunity to shave and wash before
parade.
I was outside the barrack when my attention was
aroused by the sound of tramping feet. Loo "king clown
the road I was surprised to see a huge column of dust,
and what appeared fo be a never-ending crowd of
soldiers, marching in column. If was such an unusual
sight, we never having witnessed the arrival of more
than a dozen prisoners at a time, that, especially the
moment I descried the uniforms, iny curiosity was
aroused. Many of iny comrades were astir and partly
dressed when I gave a hall, so they hurried out to join
Ine.
The army, for such it seemed, advanced amidst clouds
II9
12o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
of dust. As they drew nearer we identified those af
the head as Belgian soldiers. They swung by without
faltering. Behind them came a small army of French
prisoners. We could hot help noticing the compara-
tively small number of wounded among both the
Belgians and the French, and although they were
undoubtedly dejected at their unfortunate capture
they were apparently in fine fettle.
But it was the men who formed the rear of this
depressing cavalcade, and who also numbered several
hundreds, which aroused out keenest interest and
pity. From their khaki uniforms it was easy to deter-
mine their nationality. They were British military
prisoners.
It was a sad and pitiful procession, and it was with
the greatest difficulty we could suppress out emotion.
The tears welled to out eyes as we looked on in silent
sympathy. We would bave given those hardened war-
riors a rousing cheer but we dared hOt. The guards
would have resented such an outburst, which would
bave rendered the lot of the British, both civilian and
mil.itary, a hundred times worse.
The soldiers, battle-stained, blood-stained, weary of
foot, body and mind walked more like mechanical
toys than men in the prime of lire. Their clothes were
stained almost beyond recognition ; their faces were
ragged with hair and smeared with dirt. But though
oppressed, tired, huny and thirsty they were far from
being cast down, although many could scarcely more
one foot before the other.
The most touching sight was the tenderness with
which the unwounded and less injured assisted their
weaker comrades. Some of the worst cases must
bave been suffering excruciating agony, but they
bore their pain with the stoicism of a Red Indian. The
proportion of wounded was terrifying: every man
appeared to be carrying one scar or another. As
they swung by us they gave us a silent greeting which
we returned, but there was far more significance in that
BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS 121
mute conversation with eyes and slight movements of
the hands than in volumes of words and frantic cheering.
The brutal reception they had received from their
captors was only too apparent. Those who were so
terribly wounded as to be beyond helping themselves
received neither stretcher nor ambulance. They had
to hobble, limp and drag themselves along as best
they could, profiting from the helping hand extended
by a comrade. Those who vere absolutely unable to
walk had to be carried by thcir chums, and it was
pathetic to observe the tender care, solicitude and
effort which were displayed so as to spare the luckless
ones the slightest iolt or pain while being carried in
uncomfortable positions and attitudes over the thickly
dust-strewn and uneven road. The fortitude of the
badly battered was wonderful. They forgot their
sufferings, and were even bandying jest and joke.
Their cheeriness under the most terrible conditions
was soul-moving. No one can testify more truthfully
to the Tapley cheeriness of the British soldier under the
most adverse conditions than the little "knot of civilian
prisoners at Sennelager when brought face to face
for the first time with the fearful toll of war.
The unhappy plight of out heroic fighting men, as we
watched them march towards what was called the
" field," which was nearly a toile beyond out barracks,
provoked an immediate council of war among our-
selves. It was only too apparent that we must exert
ourselves on their behalf. Unfortunately, however,
we were not in a position to extend them pronounced
assistance : out captors saw to that. But ve divided
up into small parties and succeeded in giving all the aid
that was in out power.
The soldiers were accommodated in tents. We had
observed the raising of a canvas town upon the " field,"
and had been vaguely wondering for what it was
required. Were German recruits coming to Senne-
lager to undergo their training, or were we to be trans-
Ierred Irom the barracks to tents ? At first we thought
122 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
the latter the more probable, but as we reflected upon
the size of canvas-town we concluded that provision
was being ruade for something of far greater import-
ance.
The Belgian prisoners were sent into the stables.
These, however, were scrupulously clean and empty
of all the incidentals generally associated with such
buildings, because the civilian prisoners had been
compelled fo scout them out a few days before. Con-
sequently the Belgians had no room for protest against
the character of their quarters, except perhaps upon
the ground of being somevhat over-crowded. A
numbcr of the French soldiers were also distributed
among the stables, but the surplus shared tents near
their ]3ritish comrades.
Upon reaching the field the prisoners were paraded.
Each man was subjected fo a searching cross-examina-
tion, and had to supply his name and particulars of the
regiment fo which he belonged. Ail these details were
carefully recorded. In the preparation of this register
the German inquisitors betrayed extraordinary anxiety
to ascertain the disposition of the British troops and
the regiments engaged in the battle-line. Evidently
they were in a state of complete ignorance upon this
point. Nearly every soldier was requested fo give
the naine of the place where he had been fighting,
wounded, and captured. But the British soldiers did
not lose their presence of mind. They saw through
the object of these interrogations and their replies
for the most part were extremely unsatisfactory.
The man either did not know, could not recall, or
had forgotten where he had been fighting, and was
exceedingly hazy about what regiments were forming
the ]3ritish army. In some instances, however, the
desired data was forthcoming from those who were
most severely wounded, the poor fellows in their misery
failing fo grasp the real significance of the interpella-
tions. If was easy fo realise the extreme value of the
details which were given in this manner because the
BRITISH tIE1ROES FROII MONS
Germans chuckled, chattered, and cackled like a flock
of magpies. As may be supposed, owing to the exact-
ing nature of the search for information, the rcgistra-
tion of the prisoners occupied a considerable tiret TM.
Later, during the day of their arrival, we civilian
prisoners had the opportunity to fraternise with our
fighting compatriots. Then we ascertained that they
had been wounded and captured during the retreat
flore Morts. But they had been subjected to the most
barbarous treatment conceivable. They had received
no skilled or any other attention upon the battlefield,
24 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
They had merely bound up one another's wounds
as best they could with materials which happened to be
af hand, or had been forced to allow the wounds fo
romain open and exposed to the air. Bleeding and
torn they had been bundled unceremoniously into a
train, berded like cattle, and had been four days and
nights travclling from the battlefield to Sennelager.
During these 96 hours they had tasted neither food
nor water ! The train vas absolutely deficient in any
commissariat, and the soldiers had hot been permitted
fo satisIy their cravings, even to the slightest degree,
and even if they were in the possession of the where-
vithal, by the purchase of food af stations at which
the train had happened fo stop. "What vith the
fatigue of battle and this prolonged enforced abstinence
from the bare necessaries of lire, it is not surprising
that they reached Sennelager in a precarious and
pitiful condition.
Among our heroes wcrc rive commissioned officers,
including a maior. These were accommodated at
Sennelager for about a fortnight but then they were
sent axvay, whither we never knew beyond the Iact
that they had been condemned to saIer imprisonment
in a fortress. Among the prisoners were also about
2oo men belonging to the R.A.M.C., taken in direct
contravention of the generally accepted rules of 'ar.
They were treated in precisely the saine manner as the
captured fighting men. There were also a few non-
commissioned officers who were permitted to retain
their authority within certain limits.
One of the prisoners gave me a voluminous diary
which he had kept, and in vhich were chronicled the
whole of his movements and impressions Irom the
moment he landed in France until his capture, including
the Battle of Mons. It was a remarkable human docu-
ment, and I placed if in safe keeping, intending to
get if out of the camp and to send it to my Iriend at
home upon the first opportunity. But ill-luck dogged
this enterprise. The existence of the diary iot to
BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS 125
the ears of out wardens and I was compelled to
surrender it.
The next morning the woundcd rcccived attention.
The medical attendant attached to the camp for the
civilian prisoners, Dr. Ascher, was not placed in
command of this duty, although he extended assistance.
A German military surgeon was given the rcsponsibi-
lity. The medical arrangements provided by this
oflîcial, who became unduly inflated with the eminence
of his position, were of the most arbitrary character.
He attended the camp at certain hours and he adhered
to his rime-table in the most rigorous manner. If
you were hOt there to rime, no matter the nature of
your injury, you received no attention. Similarly,
if the number of patients lined up outside the diminu-
rive hospital were in excess of those to whom he could
give attention during the hours he had set forth, he
would turn the surplus away with the intimation that
they could present themselves the next day at the same
hour when perhaps he would be able to see to them.
It did not marrer to him how serious was the injury
or the urgency for attention. His hours were laid
down, and he would hot stay a minute later for any-
thing. Fortunately, Dr. Ascher, who resented this
inflexible system, would attend the most pressing
cases upon his own initiative, for which, it is needless
to say, he received the most heartfelt thanks.
Before the duty of examining the wounded soldiers
commenceà there was a breeze between Dr. Ascher and
the military surgeon. The former insisted that the
patients should receive attention as they lined up
first corne fo be first served, and irrespective of nation-
ality. But the military doctor would bave none of
this. His hatred of the British was so intense that he
coulà hot resist any opportunity to reveal his feelings.
I really think that he would willingly bave refused to
attend to the British soldiers at all if his superior
orders had hot charged him with this duty. So he
did the next worse thing to harass out heroes. He
126 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
expressed his intention to attend first to the Belgians,
then to the French, and to the British last. They
could wait, notwithstanding that their injuries were
more severe and the patients more numerous than those
of the other two Allies put together. This decision,
however, was only in consonance with the general
practice of the camp--the British were always placed
last in everything. If the military surgeon thought
that his arbitrary attitude would provoke protests
and complaints among the British soldiers he vas
grievously mistakcn, because they accepted his decision
without a murmur.
The queue outside the hospital was exceedingly
lengthy. The heat was intense and grew intolerable
as the day advanced and the sun climbed higher into
the heavens. To aggravate matters a dust-storm
blew up. The British wounded at the end of the line
had a dreary, long, and agonising wait. Half-dead
from fatigue, hunger, and racked with pain it is not
surprising that many collapsed into the dust, more
particularly as they could not secure the slightest
shelter or relief from the broiling sun. As the hours
wore on they dropped like flies, to receive no attention
whatever,--except from their less-wounded comrades,
who strove might and main to render the plight of
the worst afflicted as tolerable as the circumstances
would permit. Dr. Ascher toiled in the hospital like
a Trojan, but the military doctor was not disposed
to exert himself unduly.
To make matters worse this despicable disciple of
]Esculapius came out, and, notwithstanding the drifting
and blowing sand, ordered all the British prisoners to
remove their bandages so that there might be no delay
when the hospital was reached. The men obeyed as
best as they could, but in many instances the bandages
refused to release themselves from the wound. The
military doctor speedily solved this problem. He caught
hold of the untied end of the bandage and roughly
tore it away. The wounded man winced but hot a
BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS 12 7
sound came from his lips, although the wrench must
bave provoked a terrible throb of pain, and in some
instances induced the injury fo resume bleeding.
Finding this brutal treatment incapable of drawing
the anticipated protest he relented with the later prison-
ers, submitting the refractory bandages fo preliminary
damping with water fo coax the dressings free.
With their bandages removed the soldiers presented
a ghastly sight. Their clothes were tattered and torn,
bloodstained and mudstained, while the raw wounds
seemed to glare wickedly against the sun, air, and dust.
It was pitiable to see the men striving to protect thcir
injuries from the driving sand, in vain, because the
sand penetrated everywhere. Consequently the gaping
wounds soon became clogged with dust, and it is hot
surprising that blood-poisoning set in, gangrene super-
vening in many instances. Under these conditions
many injuries and wounds which would have healed
speedily under proper attention and which would have
left little or no permanent traces, developed into serious
cases, some of which resisted all treatment, finally
demanding anaputations. The mutilation which ensued
was terrible, and there is no doubt whatever that many
a limb was lost, condemning the wounded man to be
a cripple for lire, just because he happened to be
British, incurred the hostility of the military surgeon,
and was intentionally neglected. Matters were aggra-
vated by the military surgeon coming out of the hospital
finally, after the men had been standing uncomplain-
ingly for several hours in the baking heat, gong a
certain distance along the line, and then brutally telling
all those beyond that point that they could re-bind
up their wounds and corne to see him the next morning.
He had no time to attend to them that day, he
remarked.
I do hot know how out wounded heroes from Mons
would have got on had it hot been for Dr. Ascher, the
R.A.M.C. prisoners, ourselves, and a British military
doctor who happened to be among those captured on
128
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
the battlefield. The latter was not discovered for
some rime because he refused to reveal lais identity.
Subsequently, realising the serious turn which matters
were taking, and observing the intentional and
systematic neglect which was being meted out to his
unfortunate fellow-countrymcn, he buclded in and did
wondcrful work. Prince L--m and K.---- also toiled
incessantly in the attempt to ameliorate the plight
of our wounded. Many of the soldiers were absolutely
without funds, but these two civilians extended them
the assistance so sorely needed out of their own pockets,
purchasing foodstuffs from the canteen, which they
distributcd together with other articles which were
in urgent request, with every liberality.
The lack of funds hit out wounded exceedingly
hard. Although they were on the sick list they received
no special treatment. They were in dire need of nour-
ishing food suitable for invalids, but they never
received it. They were compelled, in common with
ourselves who were in tolerably good health, to sub-
sist on mil-ldess and sugarless acorn coffee, cabbage-
soup, and black bread, which cannot possibly be
interpreted as an invalid body-restoring dietary.
As a result of this insufficient feeding the soldiers
commenced to fall away.
This systematic starvation, for it was nothing more
nor less, rendered the soldiers well-nigh desperate.
In order to secure the money wherewith to supplement
their meagre and uninviting non-nutritious food with
articles from the canteen, they were prepared to sell
anything and everything which could be turned into
a few pence. Khaki overcoats were freely sold for
six shillings apiece. For sixpence you could buy a
pair of puttees. Even buttons were torn off and sold
for what they would fetch. One morning, on parade,
a soldier whose face testified to the ravages of hunger
tore off his cardigan jacket and offered it to any one
for sixpence in order to buy bread. Little souvenirs
which the soldiers had picked up on the battlefield,
BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS 12 9
and which they treasured highly, hoping fo take them
home as mementoes of their battles, were sold to any
one who would buy. As a marrer of fact some of the
soldiers were prepared to part with anything and every-
thing in which they were standing in ortier to get food.
While we fraternised with the soldiers af the very
first opportunity to secure details of their experiences
which were freely given and to learn items of news,
the German guards interfered. We had been kept
in complete ignorance of the progress of the war, and
now we were learning too much for our captors. I
may say that all we heard about the war was the
occasional intelligence given when we were on parade.
Major Bach would stroll up with German newspapers
in his hands and with fiendish delight would give us
items of news which he thought would interest us.
Needless to say the fragments always referred to
brilliant German victories and he used to watch our faces
with grim pleasure to ascertain the effect they produced
upon us. At first we were somewhat impressed,
especially when he told us that Paris had been captured.
But when he related ten days later that it had fallen
again, and that London was in German hands, we smiled
in spite of ourselves because we had trapped him in
his lying.
We were now separated from out soldier friends,
from whom we had gained a more reliable insight
concerning the state of affairs. The German guards
also gave themselves away by relating that they were
embittered against the British soldiers because they
had fought like devils and had wrought terrible havoc
among the ranks of the German army. Consequently
the only opportunity which arose for conversation
was during the evenings around the canteen. Even
then we had to be extremely cautious. If the guard
saw one or tvo civilians associated with a group of
Tommies, he would corne up, force us apart af the
point of the bayonet, and make us proceed different
ways.
13o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
Out practice was fo mingle singly and discreetly
with the soldiers, and then upon return to barracks
exchange news we had gleaned. I may say if became
an unwritten law of the camp that, if a civilian took
a soldier into the canteen and asked him any questions,
he was to reciprocate by treating the Tommy fo
some little dainty which was obtainable. If we
asked nothing the soldier got nothing. This latter
attitude was hot due fo out resenting the idea of
treating the soldier, but because many of us were
poor, or empty, in pocket ourselves. Although we
did a considerable amount of forced labour we never
received a penny for it.
I had a tilt at my guard one day over the patinent
of prisoners of war. Although I knew nothing about
the International law upon the subject I made a ven-
ture.
"" Do you know ? " I asked, "' that as prisoners of
war we are entitled to 60 pfennigs--sixpence--a day
for what work we do ? "
" Ja! Ja!" he grinned. '" But as it costs us 90
pfennigs a day fo keep you, after deducting the 6o
pfennigs, you still owe us 30 pfennigs a day ! "
The idea of us being in Germany's debt for our board
and lodging was certainly humorous. If any one asked
me how much it cost the Teutonic Government in this
direction I should consider a halfpenny a day a very
liberal figure.
The efforts of the prisoners fo supplement their
meagre and monotonous official allowance of food by
purchases at the canteen were handicapped by the
avariciousness and unprecedented rascality of the
unprincipled rogue who was in charge of this
indispensable establishment.
When a soldier had secured a few pence, say a shilling,
by the sale of this or that personal belonging, and prof-
fered the coin to the canteen proprietor, this worthy
would pick it up, shrug his shoulders, and disdainfully
push the shilling back with the remark,
BRITISH HEROES FROII MONS x3x
"English money ? No good here ! I can get very
little for it I "
Af tlfis pronouncement the soldier's face would
fall. But dreading denial of a " br6tchen " of which
he was in urgent need he would grow desperate. He
would push the coin across the counter again.
" It must be worth somethingl Now how much
will you give for it ? " he would ask pleadingly.
With further demur, elevation of eyebrows, pucke-
ing of brows and hesitancy the canteen proprietor
would complete a mental arithmetical sure in currency
exchange. Af last he would reluctantly quote a
figure, and as a rule if was about fifty per cent.
below the face value of the coin. Thus the soldier's
shilling would only be vahed at sixpence in German
money.
The soldier, satisfied at being able to get a " br6t-
chen " even af such a sacrifice, would submit. But
although the unwarranted depreciation was robbery
it was not the worst feature of the methods of
this greedy money-changer.
The soldier would receive, not rive English pennies
or 50 German pfennigs as his change but a French hall-
franc. Then the next time he visited the canteen for
another " br6tchen " or something else, he would put
down the hall-franc he had previously received.
Again the soldier received a rude surprise. The canteell
proprietor would reluctantly say that the French money
was useless to him. There would be a repetition of
the previous bickering over the British shilling, and
af last the astonished soldier would learn that he could
only change the French hall-franc at a discount of
forty per cent. In this instance the change would be
the equivalent of twopence in English money, but it
would be given in Belgian coins. Upon the third
occasion when the British soldier visited the canteen
to buy a" br6tchen " and proffered the 13elgian coinage
he would learn that this had also undergone a sudden
depreciation of fiffy per cent. So that by the rime
x:z FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
the so]dier bad expended his shilling he had really
received goods fo the value of about threepence.
It was a cunrdng method of conducting business and
the cantcen proprietor was a toaster in keeping the
hated currency of the three nations in circulation
among themselves, and always exacted a heavy charge
for its acceptalce.
With such a novcl means of ringing the changes upon
soldicrs of the three naionalities it is hot surprising
tbat the canteen proprietor waxed rich within a very
short time.
Such a state of affairs not only adversely affected
the soldiers but the poor civilian prisoners as well.
Af last things came fo such a pass that one of out inter-
preters, F. K, the fcllow-prisoncr whom I had met
in Wesel prison, tackled the canteen proprietor upon his
unfair method of conducting business, and emphasised
how harsh it was upon the prisoners who vere hot
flush in funds. For this attempt to improve our
position F. K had to pay the penalty. The canteen
proprietor promptly reported the interpreter to the
Commanding Officer of the camp, vho forthwith
sentenced out comrade to three days' cells for daring
fo interfere vith German organisation!
The Germans, in their determined intention fo pre-
vent thc British civilian and military prisoners from
mingling, adopted the most drastic measures. Guards
werc posted everyvhere and we were sternly forbidden
fo enter the soldiers' reservation. If we were detected
thc guards were instructed to let drive with their
rifles without giving any previous warning. The
anti-British sentiment was so acute that any one of
our guards would have only been too delighted to have
had the chance to put this order into effect, and that
upon the slightest pretext. As he would have been
upheld in his action we decided fo give these amiable
wardens Io opportunity to turn us into targets.
There is no doubt that we were regarded as little
less than desperadoes of the worst type. Out troops
BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS 133
had given the Germans such a severe shaking up as to
throw out guards into a state of wild panic. This vas
proved only too conclusively by an incident vhich
occurred one night. After we had retired we were hot
permitted to put out heads out of the windows. To do
so was to court a bullet, also according to instructions.
On this particular night, after we had turlled iii, one of
the prisoners, unable to sleep owing to mental worry and
the heat, strolled to the door to get a breatll of fresh
air. As he stepped out into the dusty footway a
terrifying fusillade rang out and continued for several
Ininutes. We all sprang up wondering what was the
Inatter.
The poor fcllow had been spotted coming ott of the
door by the sentry vho, too excited to recognise the
man, had red his rifle at the prisoner for ail he was
worth. Instantly the guard turned out. The prisoner
brought abruptly to his senses had darted back into the
barrack safe and sound but fearfully scared. Only
the wild shooting of the sentry had saved him from
being riddled. The guard itself, upon turning out,
evidently thought that a rebellion had broken out
or at least that a prisoner had escaped. Seizing their
rifles they blazed away for dear life. They did hot
aire at anything in particular but shot haphazardly
at the stars, haystacks, and trees in the nlost frantic
Inanner imaginable and as rapidly as their magazine
arms would let them. Undoubtedly the Germans
were half-mad with fear. It rained bullets around the
barracks and every man within crouched down on
his bed, away from the windows through which ve
inomentarily expected the bullets to crash. None of
us dared to move fox fear that there might be a collision
vith one or more of the Inissiles which pattered around
IlS.
The next morning we were paraded hurriedly. The
guard ran about among us, searching every corner of
the barracks, as if bereft. The roll was called with wild
excitement, A prisoner had escapedl Had he hot
134 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
been seen by every imaginative member of the guard ?
But when they discovered that we were all sale and
sound, and that we were perfectly composed, they
presented a sorry array of stalwart warders. Their
sheepishness provoked us to laughter when we learned
the true reason for all the bother. But it brought
home to us the extreme danger of falling foul of such
a panicky mob.
The military reservation was fenced off from out
quarters by barbed 4re. The rule tan that no prisoner
on either side of the barrier was to advance within
a metre's distance--about one yard--of the fence.
Guards were on duty to see that this regulation was
obeyed. One day a I3ritish Tommy, in a moment
of forgetfulness, ventured within the forbidden dis-
tance. With a flash the excited guard standing near
by raised his rifle and jabbed fiercely at the soldier.
The bayonet got home in the luckless Tommy's shoulder
and passed clean through from front to back, the ugly
point of the bayonet protruding about three inches.
This incident and unwarranted savagery, although
born of "nerves," sickened and also roused those of us
who had seen it. Seeing that the soldier was quite
unarmed the sentry might have used the butt end of
his weapon just as satisfactorily. But no ! It was a
swine of an Englinder who had infringed the rule and
the bayonet was the instrument for correction, to be
plied with the utmost effect.
Seeing the desperate condition of the British wounded
and the inhuman manner in which they were treated
one might naturally conclude that they would bave
died off like flies. Sennelager bas the most evil
reputation among the German prison camps for system-
atic brutality and unprecedented ferocity. But to levy
such an accusation is to bring an immediate Gennan
denial. In reply they turn to the official reports and
retort that conditions could hot possibly be so terrible
as they are painted, otherwise the camp would be
certain to reveal a high mortality. On the other hand
BRITISH HEROES FROM MONS 135
the death-rate af Sennelager is strikingly low, and the
German officials stalle contentedly while the Press
comforts itself smugly.
The presentation of the low death-rate is even likely
fo arouse doubt in the minds of the unsophisticated
]3ritish af home. They are hot versed in German
cunning. Sennelager camp carries a low death-rate
for the simple reason that a prisoner is hot permitted
to die there. When a man has been reduced to a
hopeless condition and his demise appears imminent
he is hurriedly sent off fo some other place, prefcrably
a hospital, fo die. 13y a slice of luck he might cheat
Death, in which event, upon his recovery, he is bundled
off fo another prison. But he seldom, if ever, comes
back fo Sennelager ! During my period of incarceration
only one man, B, who was sent to Paderborn hos-
pital fo die as the Germans thought, but who recovered,
returned fo Sennelager. When a man was hastened
out of the camp in this manner we never knew his fate.
It became a by-word that few men went from Sennelager
but none returned. Consequently, whenever we saw a
sick case leave the camp we surmised that the poor
wretch was making his final journey fo the Great
]3eyond. We assumed his speedy dealh ]rom natural
caseswas the German authorities would relate--fo
be inevitable.
CHAPTER IX
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS
ALTttOUGH we British prisoners, both civilian and
military, constituted the principal butt for the spleen of
Major Bach, we never raised the slightest audible com-
plaint or protest, although inwardly and in the seclusion
of out barracks we chafed at the unrelenting tyranny
to which we were exposed and against which we were
completely helpless. In strict accordance with the
instructions of the Commandant we were always the
last to receive attention. It we ever had to go fo the
hospital to receive any treatment and were the first to
arrive at ifs doors, we had to kick our heels outside
and possess ourselves in patience as best we could until
all the prisoners of other nationalities had seen the
surgeon. As a rule we had a lost iourney. The surgeon
in his haste to get away either would notify us that out
cases could not receive enquiry until the morrow, or he
would treat us in a perfunctory manner.
As at the hospital so at the cook-house at meal times.
We were never given our rations until all the others had
been satisfied. The consequence was that we generally
went short of food. The first to be treated received
liberal quantities of the cabbage soup. Vhat was left
had to be eked out amongst us.
" The damned English swine can wait ! " Ttfis was
the dictum of those in authority and the underlings were
only too eager to Iulfil it to the letter. If there were the
slightest opportunity to deprive us of our food, on the
flimsy pretext that we had not answered the summons
xvith sufficient alacrity, it was eagerly grasped. Under
these conditions we had to go supperless to bed, unless
I36
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 137
we could procure something at the canteen or our more
fortunate comrades came to out assistance by sharing
with us the comestibles they had purchased.
Some ten days after the appearance of Major Bach a
new target for his savagery and venom appeared. This
was a party of Belgian priests. I shall never forger their
entrance to the camp. We were performing necessary
daily duties outside out barracks when out attention
was drawn to an approaching party surrounded
by an abnormally imposing force of soldiers. Such a
military display was decidedly unusual and we naturally
concluded that a prisoner of extreme significance, and
possibly rank, had been secured and was tobe interncd
at Sennelager.
When the procession drew ncarer and we saw that
the prisoners were priests our curiosity gave way to
feelings of intense disgust. They were twenty-two
in number and were garbed just as they had been torn
from prayer by the ruthless soldiers. Some were
venerable men bordering on seventy. Subsequently I
discovered that the youngest among them was fifty-
four years of age, but the average was between sixty
and seventy.
The reverend fathers with clasped hands moved
precisely as if they were conducting some religious
ceremonial among their flocks in their beloved churches.
But the pace was too funereal for the advocates of the
goose-step. They hustled the priests into quicker move-
ment, not in the rough manner usually practised with
us, but by clubbing the unfortunate religionists across
the shoulders with the stocks of their rifles, lowering
their bayonets to them and giving vent to blood-
freezing curses, tierce oaths, coarse j eers, and rewarding
the desperate endeavours of the priests to fulfil the
desires of their captors with mocking laughter and
ribaldry.
The brutal manner in which they were driven into
the camp as if they were sheep going to the slaughter,
ruade our blood boil. More than one of us clenched our
138 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
fists and ruade a half-movement forward as if fo inter-
fere. But we could do nothing and so had to control
out furious indignation.
However, the moment the priests entered Senne-
lager we received a respite. Officers and guards turned
their savagery and spire from us fo visit if upon these
unhappy victims by night and by day and af every
trick and turn. Clubbing with the rifle was the most
popular means of compelling them fo obey this, or fo do
that. More than once I have seen one of the aged
religionists fall to the ground beneath a rifle blow which
struck him across the back. No indignity conceivable,
besides a great many indescribable, was spared those
vcnerable men, and they boved fo their revolting treat-
ment with a meekness vhich seemed strangely out of
place.
After one more than usually ferocious manifestation
of attack I questioned our guard fo ascertain the reason
for this unprecedented treatment and why the priests
had been especially singled out for such infamous
ferocity.
" Ach!" he hissed with a violent expectoration,
" They fired upon out brave comrades in Belgium.
They rang the bells of their churches fo summon the
women to the windows fo tire upon otlr brothers as they
passed. The dogs! We'll show them! We'll break
them belote we have finished. They won't want to
murder out brave troops again ! "
The words vere jerked out with such fearful fury that
I refrained from pursuing the subject. Later I had a
chat with one of the oldest priests. It was only with
difficulty we could understand one another, but it was
easy fo discover that the charges were absolutely un-
founded, and were merely the imagination of the dis-
torted and savage Prussian mind when slipped from the
leash fo loot, assault and kill for the first rime in his
lire.
A night or two later a few of us were purchasing food
af the canteen. Suddenly four soldiers came tumbling
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 139
in, dragging with them one of the most aged of the
Fathers. He must have been on the verge of three-
score and ten, and with his long white beard he presented
an impressive, proud, and stately figure. But the
inflamed Prussian bas no respect for aEe. The old man
was bludgeoned against the counter and at his abortive
attempts to protect himself the soldiers jeered and
laughed boisterously.
One of the soldiers called for a suit of clothes which
was served out to prisoners, and for which we were
supposed to pay six marks--six shillings. The leador
of the party of soldiers grabbed the suit and, pushing
the priest roughly, shouted,
" Here! You can't work in the fiêlds with that
garb you are wearing. You've got to buy these. Six
marks! Hurry upt You've got to put them on!"
The priest, who did not understand a word of
German, naturally failed to grasp the meaning of the
command. He promptly received a clout to knock
some sense into him, the soldier meanwhile shaldng
the prison-like suit to emphasise what he meant.
In mute protest the priest shook his robes to indicate
that he was quite content with what he was wearing.
"Come on! If you don't change we'll doit for
you! "
At this threat there was a wild outburst of demoniacal
mirth, in which the girl behind the counter, a brazen
jade, joined uproariously as if in anticipation of some
unusual amusement. She reached over the counter,
craning her neck to secure a better view of an unex-
pected spectacle.
As the Reverend Father did not respond to the com-
mand, the guard gathered round him. Before we could
remise what was happening, kis crucifix and rosary
had been roughly torn off, and with his watch and
chain had been thrown upon a table standing alongside.
His robe was roughly wkisked away in the twinkling
of an eye. But the prisoner did not move or raise a
hand in protest, even when he was bared to his under-
14o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
clothing in front of frtulein, who signalled her appre-
ciation of the sight by wildly clapping her hands,
laughing merrily, and giving expression to ribald jokes.
The proud manner in which the victim surveyed Iris
tormentors only exasperated them still further. By
the threat of the bayonet he was compelled to stand
up in front of these degenerate members of the human
race and the girl behind the counter, whose laughter
could now be heard ringing above the frantic shrieks
of the soldiers.
We, who wcre unwilling witnesses of this revolting
spectacle, wcre grinding out teeth in ill-suppressed
rage. Never during my sojourn in Sennelager, even
whcn submitted to the greatest torment, have I seen
the British prisoners roused to such a pitch of fury.
As a rule we effectively maintained a quiet, if not
indifferent, and tractable attitude, but this was more
than flesh and blood could stand.
But the priest never relaxed his proud composure
and self-possession. He looked so penetratingly at
the laughing jade that I think it must have penetrated
into ber very soul. Her wild mirth ended abruptly
in a strange semi-hysterical shriek as her eyes met Iris
look of intense scorn. She winced and was effectively
cowed into silence.
I may say that the floor of the canteen was of
concrete, but upon this was a layer of mud, slime,
grease, and other filth brought in from outside upon
the boots of those who frequented the establishment.
This was now a noisome muddy carpet some two
inches in thickness. The Germans, one may happen
to recollect, have ever paraded their love of cleanliness
belote the world, but this floor was the lie direct to
their vain boastings.
At the sight of the old man standing there erect
belote them, the victim of unparalleled humiliation,
but his spirit as strong and as unyielding as ever, the
fury of the soldiers knew no bounds. One, giving vent
to a fearful curse, placed his hand on the table upon
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 141
which the crucifix, rosary, and watch were lying.
He gave a swift, fiendish glance at the priest towering
above him, and with a vile oath swept the articles to
the floor, where they ploughed through the greasy
revolting slime.
It was then that the badgered and baited Father
broke down. As he watched his beloved and revered
crucifix and rosary suffering defilement and serving
as the rude sport for the iron heels of the uncivilised
Huns, the tears coursed down his face copiously. He
gave a slight start as he saw the articles flash through
the air, but suppressed the cry of horror which sprang
inadvertently to his lips.
But the soldiers were not yet satisfied with the
agony which they had created in the Father's heart.
One grabbed his rifle and lowering the bayonet in a
threatening manner ordered the priest fo pick up his
sacred treasures. The priest stooped down fo obey
the instructions, but this was not suflïcient for his
persecutors. He was driven to his knees and forced
to grope among the repulsive mud for his revered
religious tokens. With great diflïculty he recovered
them, battered, crushed, and covered with the filthy
accumulation upon the floor. As the Reverend Father
drew himself once more fo his full height, clasping his
treasures desperately, he brought his hands together,
and closing his eyes, we saw his lips moving in prayer.
This was the last straw. Grating our teeth, our
faces white with passion, and our fingers itching to
seize those barbarians round their throats fo choke
their lires out of them, we nearly threw discretion to
the winds. Had one of us ruade a forward movement
we should have sprung upon them with the ferocity
of bull-dogs. Those four soldiers never knew how
near they were to meeting their deserts upon that
day. As if was we merely scraped out feet in impotent
rage. It was tllis fidgeting which aroused their
attention. They turned and must have read our
innermost intentions written in our faces, for they
I42 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
instantly grabbed their rifles and rounded upon us.
With a 1notion which could not be misunderstood,
and uttering tierce curses, they ordered us to get outside.
We reIused fo move, although conffonted by ugly
pointed bayonets. If was a tense and critical moment.
The soldiers undoubtedly saw that ve were now
thoroughly roused, and, strange fo say, they appeared
to lose their heads, for they stood stock still, apparently
ffightened by our detcrmined appearance.
One of our party, although as enraged as any of
us, yet had maintained more complete control over
his feelings. He saw the utter usclessness of our
making a display of physical protest. With a quiet
" Corne on, boys!" he stepped towards the door.
If saved an ugly situation ; the movement fo the door
and the crisis had passe& Fiercely glaring at the
soldiers, with our j aws ominously set, and our fists
clenched we retreated. Our action revived the courage
of the guards. They at once sprang forward to jostle
us out, prodding and attempting to club us right and
left.
As ve hurried through the open door we gave a final
glance at the priest. He had turned his head and was
looking steadily at us, and if ever conversation were
carried out by looks there were volumes in his gaze.
His eyes told us how impotent we were in the hands
of these brutes who were brave because they had their
loaded rifles. They told us of his appreciation of out
sympathy in his hour of humiliation and torment.
They extended us heartfelt thanks for our willingness
to corne to his assistance, combined with a mute
instruction not fo lift a finger on his behalf since the
plight of one and all would become infinitely worse.
We passed into the street and the door was slammed
upon us.
Once outside ve allowed out feelings to have full
rein. We point-blank refused to go away and fell fo
discussing the situation somewhat fiercely. Evidently
the tones of out voices persuaded the soldiers within
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 143
that they had gone far enough, because shortly after-
wards the priest reappeared, and under escort was
hurried away to his quarters.
When we next saw him we endeavoured by diplomatic
questions to ascertain the reason why he had been
subjected fo such torture and indignity. To him the
greatest humiliation was that his torment had occurred
before a woman. But otherwise he refused to refer
fo the episode. His Æetort, in a placid, resigned voice,
was, "I only trust that God will bave mercy upon
them ! "
The priests were denied all opportunity to more
about the camp. There were scores of co-religionists
among us, but they were stedfastly refused the comfort
which the Fathers could have given them. The priests
were not permitted fo minister to the spiritual welfare
of their flocks. As a matter of fact, by the strict
instruction of Major Bach, no religious services of any
description were permitted in the camp, at least hot
while I was under his sway.
To the members of the Roman Catholic persuasion
the brow-beating, badgering, baiting and buffeting
of the helpless priests acted as a red rag to a bull.
But what could they do ? Protest was merely so
much wasted energy. Communication with anyone
outside the camp was absolutely impossible. To bave
reviled Major Bach for his cruelty and carefully planned
barbarity would only have brought down upon us
further and morc terrible punishment of such fcrocity
as would have made everyone long for the respite of
the grave.
But the priests could not be broken, no matter to
what physical and mental suffering they were subjected.
Even Major Bach discovered to his chagrin that lfis
devilish ingenuity had encountered an insuperable
obstacle. To wreak his revenge he now compelled the
Fathers to carry out all the dirtiest and most revolting
work in the camp--duties so repulsive as to be beyond
description. But the good men never murmured.
144 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
They did exactly as they were bidden, and even the
guards at last appeared to realise the fact that their
fertility in torment was of no avail in attempting to
infuriate their meek charges.
Major Bach, however, was by no means cast down at
his failures. One morning he ordered the twenty-
two priests fo be paraded. They were then loaded
up with a variety of cumbersome and heavy imple-
ments--spades, picks, shovels, and such like. Each
load would have taxed the strength of a young man in
the pink of condition and strength to carry, and yet
here were old men, ranging between sixty and seventy
years, compelled to shoulder such burdens. But they
did it.
An order was rapped out, the guard wheeled, and the
tiny party moved off. We discovered afterwards
that they were marched three mlles along the sandy
road in the blazing sun to a point where they were
roughly bidden to dig a huge pit.
Throughout the morning, and without a moment's
respire, they were forced to ply their tools, their task-
masters standing over them and smartly prodding and
threatening them with their rifles if they showed signs
of falling from fatigue, or if they failed to maintain the
expected rate of progress. To such old men, who
probably had never lifted the smallest and lightest
tool for many years, if ever, it was a back-brea'king
task. However, they clung dutifully to their work
until the hour of twelve rang out.
Now they were re-marshalled, their tools were
re-shouldcred, and they were marched back to camp
for the mid-day meal. By the rime they reached the
barracks all the other pnsoners had consumed the
whole of the available soup. There was nothing for
the priests. It was explained that they should have
hurried so as to have arrived at an earlier moment.
Then they would have received their due proportion.
Meals could not be kept waiting for dawdlers, was the
brutal explanation of the authorities. The priests
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 145
must be ruade to remise the circumstance that they
were not staying af an hotel. This, by the way, was
a favourite j oke among our wardens.
The priests bore visible signs of their six mlles'
tramp through crumbling scorching sand and under a
pitiless sun, as well as of their laborious toil excavating
the large pif. But their distressed appearance did
not arouse the slightest feeling of pity among their
tormentors. Being too late for the meal they were
re-lined up, and under a changed guard wcre marchcd
back again fo the scene of their morning's labour.
Naturally, upon reachhg the pif, they concludcd
that they would have fo continue the excavation.
But fo their intense astonishment the officer in charge
ordered them to throw all the excavated soil back
again into the hole ! This was one of the most glaring
examples of performing a useless task, merely fo
satisfy feelings of savagery and revenge, that I
encountered in Sennelager, although if was typical of
Major Bach and his methods. He took a strange
delight in devising such senseless labours. Doubtlcss
the authorities anticipated that the priests vould
make some demur at being compelled to undo the
work which they had done previously with so much
effort and pain. But if this was the thought governing
the whole incident the officials were doomcd fo surfer
bitter disappointment. The priests, whatever thcy
may have thought, silently accepted the inevitable,
and displayed as much diligence in filling the pit as
they had shown a few hours before in digging it.
Still the afternoon's shovelling caused them greater
physical hardship than the plying of the pick in the
morning. They had been denied a mid-day meal,
and their age-enfeebled physique proved barely equal
fo the toil. A basin of black acorn coffee and a small
fragment of hard brovn bread cannot by any manner
of means be construed into strong sustenance for such
a full day's work. During the afternoon one or two
were on the verge of collapse from hunger and fatigue.
K
x4 6 FOUR GERIIAN PRISONS
But their indomitab]e spirit kept them up and the pit
was duly filled.
]3y the rime the labour had been completed the
evening was advancing. For the fourth time that day
they shouldered their burden ol tools and set out on
the thrce toiles Iramp to camp.
We saw them corne in and our hearts went out in
pity to them. They tottered rather than walked,
their heads boved as if in prayer, and their crosses
oI tools sinking them nearcr to the ground. Secing
that they had walked twelve toiles and had put in
some eight hours gruelling work it vas a marvel that
the older members of the party had hot Iallen by the
wayside. Yet, although lootsore, weary, worn, and
hungry they retained their characteristic composure.
In silence they discussed their frugal evening meal
ol lukewarm black acorn coffee and black bread. Some
of us, out ol sheer sympathy, secured some " brbt-
chen " for them, but they acceptcd our expressions
ol lellow-leeling very sparingly, although with extreme
thankIulness.
They refused to say a word about their sufferings
or the agonies they had experienced during their labour
and long walk. I got the story Irom one of the guards
who had accompanied them. But even these thick-
skinned disciples of " kultur " and brutality vere hot
disposed fo be communicative. The stoicism, grim
determination and placidity of the Reverend Fathers
constituted something which their square heads and
addled brains failed to understand. They had never
experienced the like.
While Major Bach rever repeated the senseless
pit-digging and refilling programme for the priests, his
invention was by no means exhausted. Direct incen-
tive to rebellion proving completely abortive he now
resorted to indirect pettifogging and pin-pricking
tactics, harassing the unfortunate priests at every tutu,
depriving them of food or something else, reducing
their rations, giving them the raost repulsive work
THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 147
he could discover, and so forth. But it was ail fo no
purpose. Those twenty-two priests beat him af every
turn. For Major Bach to try to break their proud
spirit was like asking a baby to bend a bar of steel l
What ultimately became of these prisoners I cannot
say. In fact, I do not think there is any one who can
definitely relate their fate. Other prisoners now
commenced to arrive in increasing numbers and the
breaking-in of these crowds to the tyranny and brutal
existence of Sennelager Camp appeared fo demand
the complete attention of the authorities. Certainly
the new arrivals provided Major Bach with ail the
entertainment he desired.
Some say that the priests were distributed among
other camps; others that one or two succumbed to
the persistent ill-treatment meted out fo them; and
still more that they are yet at Sennelager. No one
can say precisely. Only one fact remains. For a
rime they occupied the sole attention of every one in
the camp because they constituted the most prominent
target for the fiendish devilry of Major Bach. Then
they suddenly appeared to slip into oblivion. The
probability is that they were swallowed up among the
hundreds of French, British, Russians, Poles, Serbians,
and various other races who were now pouring in.
Being somewhat retiring in their nature the probability
i that the priests were overlooked and forgotten in
that troublous maelstrom of outraged humanity known
far and wide as Sennelager Camp.
CHAPTER X
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE--THE FAVOURITE
PUNISHMENT
UIIL the coming of Major Bach at Sennelager con-
finement to cells constituted the general punishment
for misdcmeanours, the sentence varying according
fo the gravity of the offence. But mere solitary confine-
ment in a hole in which perpetual twilight prevailed
during the day did not coincide with Major Bach's
principlcs of ruling with a rod of iron. It was too
humane ; even the most savage sentence of "' cells "
did hot inflict any physical pain upon the luckless
prisoner.
Major Bach was a past-master in the grim art of
conceiving new and novel methods to worry and punish
those who were so unfortunate as to be under his
thumb. He was devilishly ingenious and fertile in
the evolution of ways and means to make us feel out
position as acutely as possible. I really think that he
must have lain awake for hours at night thinking out
new schemes for inflicting punishment upon us, or
else must have been possessed of an excellent and
comprehensive encyclopoedic dictionary dealing with
the uncanny and fiendish atrocities devised by the
Chinese. I do not doubt for a moment that, if he
dared, he would have introduced some of the most
ferocious tortures which for centuries have been
characteristic of the Land of the Dragon. We were
absolutely helpless and completely in his hands. He
knew this full well and consequently, being a despot, he
wielded autocratic power according to his peculiar
lights as only a full-blooded Prussian can.
148
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE 149
One evening the French military prisoners were
being marched into camp at the conclusion of the day's
work. Among them was a Zouave. Half-starved
from an insufficiency of food he could scarcely drag
one foot before the other. At last he dropped out
from sheer fatigue. The guard struck him with the
butt end of his rifle and roughly ordered him to get
up and keep step and pace with his comrades. The
Zouave pleaded that he really could not walk another
step because he felt so weak and ill. The guard thore-
upon pulled the retched prisoner to his feet and gave
him a heavy blow across his back.
This unwarranted action stung the Zouave to frenzy.
Clenching his teeth he sprung towards his tormentor
with his fist raised in the air. But second thoughts
prevailing he refrained from delivering the blow vhich
he had premeditated. The menace, however, did not
fail to exercise its effect upon the bullying guard who
instantly became an arrant coward. The Zouave's
action was so unexpected that the soldier was taken
completely by surprise. He comnlenced to ycll as
if he had been actually struck, and his vociferous
curses, reaching the ears of his comrades, brought
speedy assistance. They rushed up, secured the Zouave,
who was glaring fiercely at his tormentor, pinioned his
arms behind him, and then marched him off to the
Commanding Officer with all the speed they could
command.
The grave charge of insubordination and attempting
fo strike the guard was proffered. Major Bach listened
closely and when he had heard the story, which need-
less to say was somewhat freely embroidered, curtly
sentenced the Zouave to " four hours at the post ! "
This was the first occasion upon which we had heard
of this punishment and naturally we were somewhat
agog with curiosity to discover the character of this
latest means of dealing out correction.
Escorted by four gnards with loaded rifles and fixed
bayonets, the unhappy Zouave was l¢d to a lost just
15o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
outside our barrack. One of the soldiers stood on
either side of the prisoner ready to run him through
should he make an attempt to escape or to resist.
The other two guards, discarding their rifles, uncoiled
a length of rope which they were carrying.
The prisoner's hands were Iorced behind his back
and his wrists were tied tightly together, the rope
being drawn so taut as to cut deeply into the flesh and
to cause the unhappy retch to shriek. He was now
backed against the post round which the rope was
passed. His ankles were then tied as tightly as his
wrists and also strapped to the post, which action drew
another yell of pain Irom the victim. Finally another
length of the rope was passed round the upper part of
his body, lashing him firmly to the support to prevent
him Ialling Iorward.
Trussed and tied the unhappy prisoner was left to
undergo his four hours' sentence of this ordeal. The
soldiers returncd to their quarters, but as a preliminary
precaution, as we were undeniably showing signs of
resentment against such torturing treatment, we were
bustled into our barracks. But we could hot rest or
sleep. The hapless man at the stake was being racked
and torn with pain. His shrieks, moans, and groans,
echoing and re-echoing through the still hours of the
summer evening, sounded so weird, uncanny, and
nerve-racking as to make our blood run cold. At
each outburst we shivered and strove hard, though
vainly, to shut out the terrible sounds Irom our ears.
Airer the Zouave had been strung up for some time
I decidcd to creep out and up to him to ascertain
Irom direct close observation the effects of this treat-
ment upon the victim. Stealing out of the barracks,
thereby running the risk of encountering a bullet from
the sentry's rifle, I stealthily ruade my way to the post.
13y the rime I gained the spot the weak 'retch was in
a fearful plight. The ropes had been drawn so tightly
round his rists and ankles as to cause the circulation
of the blood through the hands and feet to cease, while
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE 151
the flesh immediately above the knots was swelling
up in a fearful manner. All sense of feeling in the hands
and feet having gone, the man was hanging limply,
instead of standing against the post. He writhed and
twisted in frenzied efforts fo secure some relief while
in this uncomfortable position, but each movement
only calsed further pain and the unintentional ltter-
ance of piercing shrieks. Upon the exhaustion of
this spasm the upper part of his body dropped forward
slightly so that his head fell down upon his chest.
For a few seconds he would stand or rathcr bang,
perfectly still and quiet. Then as he ruade another
attempt to secure a change of position shafts of pain
would shoot through him, causing him to shriek again
for a few seconds in the most agonising manner, which
ruade me start and shiver. While his shrieks were
terrifying it was the long-drawn out wail and moan
in which they ended which were more unnerving.
They sounded like the agonised howls of an animal
caught in a trap and suffering untold forment.
But each successive outburst grew weaker. The body
dropped more and more forward until it could fall no
farther owing fo the retaining tope. His head dropped
lower and lower upon his chest, which had the effect
of interfering with respiration. The man would throw
his head wildly about in frantic efforts fo breathe, but
to little purpose. His face commenced fo assume a
ghastly bluish colour ; his distended eyes almost started
from his head ; while his mouth, now 'ide open, allowed
his tongue fo loll and roll in a manner vividly reminis-
cent of a maniac restrained in a strait jacket. The
struggles and cries grew fainter until at last his head
gave a final jerk fo hang limply fo one side. He
shrieked no more. Insensibility had corne to his
relief.
During this period the guard never venturel to
corne to look af him. His piercing shrieks, howls,
and long-drawn out moans told them that he was feeling
the pinch of his confinement fo the post. But when
152 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
these cries of agony ceased two of the guards came up.
Seen to be unconscious, he was immediately released to
fall like a log to the ground. Buckets of water were
hurriedly fetched and the contents were dashed over the
prone figure until consciousness returned. When he
had somewhat recovered, although still inert and groan-
ing piteously, he was propped up against the post
and re-tied ïnto position.
Every time the man relapsed into insensibility he
was released to undergo drastic reviving by the aid
of buckets of water, and directly he came to he was
again strapped up. The sentence was " four hours,"
and it was fulfilled strictly to the letter, but only
the actual pcriods of bcing tied to the post were taken
into consideration. It did not matter whether the
man fainted three or thirty rimes during his sentence.
It was only the instalments of time against the post
which in the aggregate were taken to represent the
full term of the punishment.
As may be supposed, owing fo the recurring periods
of insensibility, the duration of the sentence became
prolonged. In about two hours after being strung
up for the first time the initial spasm of unconsciousness
would occur, although the intervention of insensibility
obviously varied according to the strength and physical
endurance of the prisoner. But after the first revival,
and owing to the man being deprived of the oppor-
tunity to regain his normal condition, the lapses into
unconsciousness occurred af steadily decreasing
intervals of time until at last the man was absolutely
unable fo battle against his forment and Nature for
more than a very short period.
The first demonstration of this punishment did not
fail to exercise a far-reaching influence upon the other
prisoners. Major Bach was beside himself with delight.
Even he, steeped although he was in brutality, was
evidently solnewhat surprised by the effectiveness of
this penalty, and he laughed loud and long at the shrieks
and misery of the unhappy Zouave. Henceforth
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE 153
committal fo the cells was no longer to constitute a
punishment at Sennelager. Tying to the stake was
the most complete means of subjugating and cowing
the prisoners.
As might be expected, one and all of us drcadcd
such a sentence, and we wcre exceedingly diligent
and painstaking in out efforts fo keep in the good
graces of the Commanding Officer. The dread of being
sentenced to a spell at the post, and submission to
the untold agony which it precipitated, broke us in
to ail intents and purposes to a degree which must
bave exceeded evcn Major Bach's most sanguine
expectations. But now ve were faced with another
and far more formidable danger. Most of the guards
enjoyed as enthusiastically as their lord and master
the agony of a luckless vretch vho was condemned
fo this punishment. To them it afforded amusement
of the most exhilarating character. But the prisoners,
now thoroughly intimidated, took every precaution
fo deny the guards an opportunity for which they were
so much on the alert. Cnsequently, being deprived
of the chance to bave any of us strung up on legitimate
grounds, they commenced to harass and exasperate
us in the hope of provoking some action which would
bring us before the Commanding Officer to receive
a sentence to the stake. Then, being completely foiled
in this nefarious practice they did not hesitate to have
us arraigned upon the most flimsy charges. As the
prisoner was denied all opportunity to rebut any
charge preferred against him, and as his word was
never accepted before the studiously prepared com-
plaint of the guard, who was always careful fo secure
corroborative evidence, the chances of escaping the
sentence were extremely slender.
The second victim of this brutal treatment was a
Russian Pole, and no man ever deserved it less. The
Pole vas entering his barrack and the Russian orderly
who had just washed and cleaned the floor, upbraided
his compatriot for entering the building with muddy
54 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
boots. There was a breezy altercation betxveen the
two men for a few minutes, but they were separated
on perfectly friendly terres by one of the soldiers. The
incident was closed and dismissed from the thoughts
of one and all. At least so thought all those who had
vitnessed it.
But one of the soldiers who had been a spectator
saw the opportunity for which he had long been
scarching. He hurried to the non-commissioned officer
in charge of the guard to report, exaggeratedly, that
two Russian prisoners had been fighting. The non-
colnmissioned officer, one of the most brutal and
despicable Prussians in the camp, seized his rifle and
hurried to the Russian barrack. Here the two sup-
positious delinquents were pointed out. He went up
to the Pole, and ga'abbing him by the shoulder, roared :
" You've been fighting ! "
Thc Pole protested that he had not been fighting with
anyone. He had forgotten all about the spirited
argument with the orderly. Certainly the altercation
was no more serious than thousands of other such out-
breaks ,a-hich were incidental to the camp. Incidents
of this character occurred every few minutes in every
barrack, which was not surprising seeing that we were
all keyed to a high pitch of fretfulness while tempers
were hasty.
" Don't lie to me," shouted the non-commissioned
officer, who was decidedly infuriated by the Pole's
complacent attitude. " I say you've been fighting I "
Again the Pole meekly explained that no such
cncounter had taken place. At this protest the officer
grabbed the inoffensive prisoner and marched him off
to thê office of the Commandant. While hurrying
along the main road through the camp the Prussian,
for no reason whatever, raised his rifle by the muzzle,
swung it over his head and brought the stock down
with fearful force upon the Pole's back. The man
himself fell like an ox belote the poleaxe, but the rifle
flew into two pieces. Seeing that a rifle is exceedingly
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE 155
strongly made and of hard wood, the fact that it
snapped in twain testifies abundantly to the force of
the blow.
The attack was witnessed, not only by several of
us, but also by two or three officers as well. The
latter expostulated with the non-commissioned oflïcer
upon his action. As for ourselves our gorge rose at
this savage onslaught, and we hurried to the Com-
mandant with the object of being first to narrate the
incident. He listened to our story of the outrage but
refused to be convinced. We persisted and mentioned
that the officers had been present and could support
out statements. But the latter, naturally perhaps,
declined to confirm our story. They denicd having
seen the blow struck. Still, we were so emphatic and
persevering that Major Bach, in order to settle the
marrer, sent for the non-commissioned officer to whom
he referred the accusation we had ruade.
This worthy listened with a smile lurking round his
mouth. When Major Bach had completed his state-
ment, the non-commissioned officer, with a mocking
laugh, denied the charge, and presented his rifle for
Major Bach's inspection. The rifle was per[ectly
sound ! At the production of this rebutting evidence
lfajor Bach gave us a queer look, insisted that we had
trumped up the charge, and refused to listen to us any
further. So we were compelled to go away crestfallen
and yet amazed as to how the guilty officer had
surmounted his difficulty.
Subsequently we discovered that the non-com-
rnissioned officer, thoroughly alarmed at his rifle
snapping in twain, not knowing how he would be able
fo explain the circumstance of his weapon being brokcn,
and having heard that we had hastened to the Com-
mandant to lodge out complaint, darted into the
guard-room, concealed the conclusive evidence of his
guilt, and appropriated the sound rifle of a comrade.
Thi» was the weapon he had produced belote Major
]3ach so triumphantly. We never heard how the non-
x56 FOUR GERIIAN PRISONS
commissioned officer ultimately explained away his
broken rifle upon parade when the trick was certain
to be discovered, but bearing in mind the iron method
which prevails in the German army he must have been
hard put to it to bave advanced a plausible excuse
when arraigned. Doubtless there was considerable
trouble over the episode but we never heard anything
more about it, although we would have dearly loved
to bave been acquainted with the sequel.
Foiled in our attempt to secure redress for an out-
raged prisoner we considered the episode closed. But
it was not. Directly we had left the office lIajor
Bach sent for the Pole who had been attacked. He
related his story which was naturally a confirmation
of our charge. But he was set down as an unprincipled
liar, and one of wholn an example must be made.
Forthwith he was condemned to four hours at the
post on the charge of fighting and endeavouring to
impugn the probity of the German guard, who tan
do no wrong.
The misery endured by this poor xretch is indes-
cribable. In this instance, in order to secure enhanced
cffect, according to the lights of lIajor Bath, the
prisoner was forced to stand on tip-toe against the
post, while the upper tope was passed around his neck.
This rope was lcft somewhat loose, and as nearly as I
tan describe, was looped in the form of a double knot.
Being on tip-toe the hapless wretch was speedily
transferred, by his toes giving way, to a hanng
position. His head fell forward, as he gradually
lapsed into unconsciousness, until it pressed against
the restraining slip-knot. The consequence was that
he suffered the agonies of slow strangulation in addition
to the searing of his hands and ankles, while the weight
of his body dragged his neck more tightly than other-
wise would bave been the case, against the upper rope.
His face presented a terrifying sight, being quite blue,
from his inability to breathe, except with the greatest
difficulty. His mouth was »vide open and Iris tongue,
TYING PRISONERS Te THE STAKE 157
which protruded, was exceedingly swollen. His eyes
were half out of their sockets. But he had te serve
the sentence of four hours, and although he became
unconscious time after time and had te be released,
water always brought him te his scnses te urldergo a
further spell upon the fiendish rack until the sentence
had been well and truly served.
On one occasion a poor vretch condemned te this
torture, after having become unconscious, was taken
des, m, revived, and incarcerated for the night in the
guard-room. The next morning he was marched out
again and re-tied up te complcte his sentence.
Major Bach, as if suddenly inspired, conceived a
fiendish means of accentuating the agony of a prisoner
condcmned te this punishment. The man would be
tied te the post about the middle of the morning.
The summer sun beat fiercely upon the post and the
man's hat was removed. Consequently, as the poor
Tetch's head dropped forward on his chest, its crown
became exposed te the tierce heat of the sun. Thus
te the pain of the torture inflicted by the tightly tied
ropes, and the strangling sensation produced by the
throat pressing against the restraining rope, was added
the racking torment of intolerable heat playing upon
a sensitive part of the human body. The astonishing
wonder is that none of the unhappy wretches suffered
sun-stroke or went crazy while bound up in this manner,
because the sun's heat intensely aggravated the
agonies of thirst. But the sun-bath consummated
Major Bach's greatest ambition. It caused the victim
te writhe and twist more frantically, which in turn
forced him te shriek and howl more vocifcrously and
continuously.
When a prisoner was in the height of his torment
the eminent Commandant would stroll up, and frein
a couple of paces avay would stand, legs wide apart
and hands clasped behind his back, surveying the
results of his devilry with the greatest self-satisfaction.
As the prisoner groned and moaned he would fling
x58 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
coarse joke, badinage, and gibe at the helpless wretch,
and when the latter struggled and writhed in order to
eek some relief, though in vain, he would laugh
uproariously, urge the unhappy man to kick more
energetically, and then shriek with delight as his
advice was apparently taken to heart only to accentu-
are the torture.
Sunday was the day of days which the tyrant
preferred for meting out this punishment. In the
first place if was a day of rest, and so a prisoner's rime
and labour were not lost. Even if he were strung up
to the post all day he could be turned out to work on
the Monday morning as usual. But the governing
reason for the selection of this day was because it
offered such a novel entertainment for the gaping
German crowds. The public, as already mentioned,
were invited to the camp on Sunday mornings to see
the prisoners. Young girls and raw recruits considered
a trip fo Sennelager on the chance of seeing a writhing,
tortured prisoner as one of the delights of the rimes,
and a sight which should not be missed on any account.
They clustered on the path on the opposite side of
the road facing the stake, laughing and j oking among
themselves. The recruits, who openly manifested
their intense amusement, cheered frantically when the
trussed wretch gave an abnormally wild and ear-
piercing shriek of pain. At his moans, groans, and
desperate abortive attempts to release himself, the
girls would laugh as gaily as if witnessing the antics
of a clown at a circus, and were quite unrestrained
in their jubilant applause. This was the feature of
the punishment which grated upon the nerves of the
prisoners who were unable to lift a finger or voice a
word in protest. That a fellow-prisoner should be
condemned fo surfer such hellish torture as was inflicted
was bad enough, but that it should orfer a sideshow
to exuberant Sunday German holiday crowds we
considered fo be the height of our humiliation and a
crown fo out sufferings.
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE 159
I shall never forger one prisoner. He was one of
out loyal dusky Colonials from the Gold Coast, who
had been so unfortunate as to fMI into German hands
and to be consigned to imprisonment at Sennelager.
He was a massive and imposing specimen of his race.
He fell foul of authority and incurred Major Bach's
displeasure to such a degree as to receive a sentence
of eight hours bound to a tree. He was tied up, and
his pleadings for mercy, prompted by madness produced
by the excruciating pain and semi-conscIousness,
alternated with loud outbreaks of long-drawn-out,
blood-freezing groans, frenzicd shrieks, and nervc-
racking wails.
As the torture increased with the passing of the
hours he gave expression fo one solitary cry--" For
God's sake shoot me I " The wail, uttered with parrot-
like repetition and in a tone which bored into the soul,
stirred the prisoners dthin earshot in a strange manner.
They clapped their hands over their ears to shut out
the awful sound, and shut their eyes to prevem the
revolting spectacle burning into their brains. The
man's face was livid : terror such as it is impossible
to describe was in his face ; the unrelenting clutch of
the rope wearing into his throat caused the vcins of
bas neck to stand out like ropes; while streams of
perspiration poured down his face. As he became
weaker and weaker and the tope ground deeper and
deeper into lais throat his fights for breath became
maniacal in their fury. Indeed, the revolting sight
so moved some of the prisoners that the tears welled
to their eyes, and it was only by digging their teeth
into their lips that they refrained from succumbing
to their emotion.
Subsequently, whenever I mentioned a word about
the tying-post or tree, this Colonial would look round,
with the unfathomable fear of a hunted animal, bAs
nerves would jump and twitch, and the saliva would
form like foam around his mouth. He remarked that
he was willing to face any punishment. But the tying
16o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
post ! An hour in the bonds of those ropes ! He shud-
dered and entreatingly prayed that if ever again he
should be threatened with this punishment one of the
guards would shoot him, or run him through with the
bayonet. I really believe that, if this penalty had been
pronounced on this man a second time, he would bave
done something so desperate as would bave compelled
summary and drastic rctaliation by force of arms.
Major Bach was methodical in his sentences to the
tying-post. He drew up a regular code and the offender
was always given a sentence in accordance with this
schedule. The slightest offence brought a sentence of
two hours. Then in stages of two hours it rose to the
maximum of cight hours. I heard that one man had
been tied up for twelve hours, but as I did not actually
witness the case I cannot vouch for ifs particulars.
The instances I have mentioned came before my notice
and can be corroborated by anyone who had the misfor-
tune to be incarcerated at Sennelager after the coming
of Major Bach. But knowing as I do Major Bach and
his inhuman and ferocious ways, I ara quite ready to
believe that he did sentence a man to twelve hours at
the post. Certainly he would never bave hesitated for
a moment to exact such a penalty if he had felt so
disposed.
After a time the single post failed to satisfy the
implacable Commandant. Trees were requisitioned for
the punishment, and I have seen as many as three men
undergoing the sentence simultaneously. Their com-
bined shrieks and agonised cries penetrated to every
corner of the camp. One could not escape them. On
one occasion when Major Bach was standing as usual
before one of his victims, laughing and jeering at his
futile writhings and agonised appeals for mercy, a
number of British prisoners who were standing around
in mute sympathy for the hapless comrade could not
control their feelings. Suddenly they gave expression
to tierce hissing of disapproval. Major Bach turned,
but hot with the mocking triumph that one would have
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE x6x
expected. His face wore the look of the characteristic
bully who is suddenly confronted vith one who is more
than his match. He vas taken completely off his guard,
so unexpected and vigorous vas out outburst. But
when he saw that he was merely threatened by a few
unarmed and helpless Britishers his sang [roid returned,
although it was with a palpable effort. He glared at us.
There was no disguising or possibility of misconstruing
the expressions of loathsome disgust and rage upon
out faces. One and ail wondered afterwards why he
did hot sentence every man of us to a spell at the post.
Possibly anticipating that things might become ugly
unless he manifested some semblance of authority,
he assumed an anger which we could easily see was far
from being real, and ordered us to barracks. We moved
away slowly and sullenly, but the guard coming up
we were unceremoniously hurried into out domiciles,
although it demanded energetic rifle proddings and
clubbings from the soldiers who swarmed around us in
overwhelming numbers, to enforce the order.
This punishment waTs by no means confined to the
civilian prisoners. It was meted out whenever the
opportunity arose to the British soldiers xdth equal
impartiality. But for some reason which xve could
never fathom, unless it was to cause further pain,
torture and humiliation, mentally as well as physically,
the revolting task of tying up an unfortunate Tommy
was entrusted to one of his own sergeants. He had to
perform the repugnant work against his will, but the
sergeants eased the poor fellow's plight as much as
they dared by tying them up as leniently as possible,
while they maintained an ever-watchful, although
unostentatious vigilance, over them while suffering
the penalty.
By the introduction of this fiendish punishment Naj or
Bach completely subdued the camp into a colony of
crushed men, We ail went in dire dread of him, the
fear of being the victim of such brutality cowing us
far more effectively than any other puaishment we had
162 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
encountered. Those who had undergone the torture
recited such harrowing stories of their sufferings that
we were extremely anxious hot to incur the wrath of
the devilish Commandant in any way whatever.
One day three of us experienced a narrow escape,
which serves to illustrate how keen were our captors to
submit us to this crucial test. We three had been ordercd
to the field. We packed out few belongings, including
out tin pails and other indispensable utensils upon out
backs. We were marching abreast and a few paces
behind a young German officer, chatting merrily among
ourselves, when we met a French soldicr approaching.
He was unusually gay and as he passed he yelled out
the popular enquiry which he had evidently acquired
while fraternising with out Tommies in the camp.
"Air ve do'n harted ? "he hailed, and he laughed gaily
at the loads with which we were struggling. To this
we returned an emphatic negative to which one of the
party, S, a schoolmaster who was fluent in French
and German, added a ioke. Evidently the Frenchman
saw the point of the iest because he burst out in a fit
of unrestrained merriment which xvas so infectious as
to compel us to participate.
The officer who xvas ahead of us, whipped round
and vehemently declared that we were laughing at him.
S protested and explained that such would be the
very last thing we should ever think of doing. The
officer went on ahead quite unconvinced and in high
dudgeon. That we should select one of the msrmidons
of the All-Highest as a target for out hanter was the
offence of offences in lais estimable conceit. XVhen we
reached the entrance to the field we had to pass a small
office in which we were registered and we discovered the
immature upstart loudly and excitedly dwelling upon
the enormous indignity to vhich he had been submitted
by us.
The officer in charge stopped us and repeated the
accusation which had been ruade. S gave a full
explanation of the whole incident, but the upstart who
TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE 163
considered that his pride had been vilcly outraged would
not listen to it. Then and there he ordcred that we
should be tied up to the trees for four hours to give us
something to laugh about. I can assure you that we
trembled in out shoes : out fate hung in the balance.
The oflîcer-in-charge of the field, however, was more
level-headed and broader-minded, although he could
hot calm his excited colleague. At last he point blank
refused to mete out the desired punishment He tunlcd
to us.
"I accept your explanation. I don't think you would
be guilty of such an offence to German honour and
dignity ! "
We were more profuse than ever in our humble
apologies to the young cock-of-the-walk for any offence
we might have committed unwittingly but we assured
him that out mirth had been entirely provoked by the
gay French soldier's joke.
"I believe you," was the oflîcer's reply, " but be
very careful. Don't doit again. As you see itis likely
to be misunderstood ! "
With that he dismissed us. We scurried off like
startled rabbits, thankful for out narrow escape, but out
last glimpse of the affair was the two oflîcers who had
resumed wrangling. It was an extremely fortunate
circumstance for us that the oflîcer-in-charge of the
field was one of the few reasonable Germans attached
to the camp.
The wretches who had to surfer this punishment
carried traces of their experiences for weeks. I
examined the wrists and anldes of the Russian Pole
some hours after his final release. The limbs were highly
inflamed, the flesh being puffed out on either side of the
deep blue indents which had been cut by the tightened
ropes. The slightest movement of the affected limbs
produced a sharp spasm of pain and it was only with
the greatest difficulty that the poor wretch was able
to use his hands and feet for some hours after removal
from the post. In the case of the Russian Pole many
164 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
weeks elapsed before all traces of the terrible weals
inflicted by the ropes had disappeared.
Vrhen we grasped the depths fo which Prussian
brutality was ready and willing fo descend, we could
hOt refrain from dwelling upon probable future tortures
which were likcly tobe in store for us. We were positive
in out own minds that Major Bach would seek other
novel and more revolting and agonising methods to
wreak his vengeance upon the British. We were hot
I eft for very long in this maddening uncertainty. Tying-
to-the-stake was but a mild prelude to the " Reign of
Terror " which the ferocious Commandant shortly
afterwards ilaugurated.
CHAPTER XI
THE REIGN OF TERROR
MAJOR BACH, in common with the avcrage Prussian
officer, who bas suddenly bccome invested with a cer-
tain degree of authority, evinced a wcird dclight in
emphasising his power at every opportunity. He was
an unbending apostle of stcel-bound discipline, such as
is practised in Germany.
Until his arrival we were in the habit of parading once
a day--at 6 a.m.bwith evening parades, twelve hours
later, upon occasion. But Major Bach introduced the
third midday parade. A little latcr he suddenly
thought that a fourth parade was neccssary, the
respective hours being six, twelve, two, and six. Even
this programme did not satisfy his love of power and
arrogance, because at frequent intervals he would sud-
denly summon two additional parades and for no
ostensible reason, except fo harass us.
Parade was probably the most irksome duty we had
to fulfil inasmuch as we were then treated to insults
of every description. The Commandant was a mar-
tinet of the worst type. We were supposed to trim
ourselves up and to look as spick and span as we could
under the circumstances. This was more particularly
demanded when a notable visitor--visitors were Iew
and far between--came to the camp to perform a per-
functory inspection to satisfy the authorities in Berlin
that the prisoners of war were being well and kindly
tended. But some of us were not disposed to bow
meekly to the tyrant's de.spoti.c orders. Instead of
parading upon such occasions in the white convict-
like suits, which by the way we were supposed and
165
166 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
indeed asked to purchase, so that xve might present a
smart uniform appearance, we preferred to don our
own clothes, although they were now showing sad
signs of wear and tear. Naturally the immaculate
Major resented out refusal to fulfil his bidding, thus
producing vivid blemishes upon the prim appearance
of the lines, but we always succeeded in producing an
excuse which was so ostensibly reasonable as to escape
his wrath and consignment to some punishment.
The most irritating feature of these parades was the
length of time we were kept waiting in the scorching
sun upon the convenience of his " Excellency." To
him it was nothing that we should be kept standing
at attention for an hour or more, while the guards,
stceped in discipline as they were, took a fiendish
pleasure in keeping us up to the mark. I recall one
parade very vividly. The heat was intense : the ther-
mometer must have been at least IIO degrees in the
sun. \Ve paraded at two o'clock as usual and were
brought to attention. Major Bach was momentarily
expected, but he did not corne upon the scene until
4-45- For 2¼ hours we were kept in the broiling sun,
and none of us being in the pink of condition owing to
the wretched and inadequate food, we soon cornmenced
to betray signs of fatigue. On this occasion, even the
Geiman guards could not adhere to the disciplinary
rule. When we abandoned the rigid attention attitude
for others more or less comfortable they followed our
example, although they maintained a discreet alertness
for the coming of the Commandant so that we might
be brought to attention belote he appeared upon the
scene.
One of the prisoners had been a Japanese trapezist
and juggler. He was very old. He said, and we agreed,
he was about 75 years of age. But the German authori-
ries arbitrarily assessed his age at 54 years, and such
it had to be so long as it suited their purpose. He had
toured the vaudeville theatres and music halls in
Gcrmany for over 20 years, but he was rounded up,
THE REIGN OF TERROR 16 7
and despite all his protestations concerning his age
was interned at Sennelager.
The age of the poor old fellow was pcrfectly obvious.
He was very weak, and indeed, quite incapable of
performing the most simple duties set by our Lord and
Master. K. , the captain of our barrack--the Jap
formed one of our party--recognising the old man's
incapacityand infirmities, eased his unfortunate position
as nmch as he dared. One man had to be detached from
each party when it went out to work, to serve as ordcrly
for the day, and his responsibility was to keep the
barrack clean and tidy during out absence. At evcry
available opportunity, especially whcn confronted vith
a severe day's work, K told off thc old man as
orderly, the light work pertaining to which was within
his capacity.
Upon the day of this particular parade the old man,
enfeebled with age, weak from want of food, and
debilitated, could not resist the mcrcilcss blazing sun.
From sheer fatigue he sank to the ground. \Ve in
our pity lcft him thcre, although we closed around him
to shield him from the eagle eyes of the vigilant guard.
\Vhen Major Bach appeared suddenly we all sprang
hurriedly to attention. But our aged Japanese friend
was hot so quick. The Commandant saw him sitting
on the ground at the saine moment as the guard, also
catching sight of him, rushed forward. The old fellow
was unmercifully hustled to his feet, although it was
with only an extreme effort that he could fise. Then he
was treated to an outburst of bullying and cursing
from the Commandant such as we had never heard
before. He was threatened with this, that, and some
other frightful punishment if he dared to disobey any
order in future. The old man, his legs bent and quaking
beneath him, listened with a pathetically helpless
demeanour. The tears coursed down his face as he
shivered beneath the string of oaths, curses, and impre-
cations that were rained upon him. Many of us feared
that he would be condelnned for four hours to the tying
I68 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
post, so infuriated was the despot of the camp, but he
escaped this terrible ordeal.
About four weeks after we had entered Sennelager
permission was extended to those who felt so disposed
to onjoy the luxury of an open-air bath. Seeing that
we never had the chance of more than a wash in the
bucket at the pump, and were in urgent need of a dip,
we accepted the offer with alacrity. We were escorted
under strong guard to a stream some distance from
the barracks and were given a quarter of an hour for
our pleasure. We hurriedly fore off our clothes and
took advantage of every minute to have a roaring
joyous rime in the water. Thoroughly refreshed
we were marched back to camp and told off to our
various duties.
By this time every man in the camp had been assigned
to some particular task. Major Bach did not encourage
idleness ; it only fomented brooding and moping over
our position, was his argument. But he was also a
staunch believer in forced labour, which was quite
a different thing. Consequently we found ourselves
condcmned to some of the most filthy tasks conceiv-
able. Incidentally, however, these duties only ser'ed
to reveal still more convincingly the hollowness of
Germany's preachings concernmg the principles of
health and hygiene to the whole world while herself
practising the diametrically opposite. We were
commanded to clcan out the military hospital.
Now, if there is one building among others in which
one would expect to discover scrupulous cleanliness
it is a hospital, but lhis accommodation provided for
the German recruits was in an indescribably filthy
condition. The con-eniences for the patients were in
a deplorable state. They had neither been disin-
fected nor cleaned for months. Foecal matter and other
filth had been left to dry, harden and adhere with the
tenacity of glue to the surfaces. Its removal not
only taxed out strength to the supreme degree, but
our endurance as well. The stench was suffocating
THE REIGN OF TERRER x6 9
and nauseatin. Even the foul aroma of the strong
cheap German tobacco which we were able te purchase
at the canteen and te smoke while at this task, if
out sentry were genial, failed te smother the more
powerful and penetrating foul vapeurs which arose
directly water was applied.
We were also assigned te the repugnant duty of
cleaning out the latrines, which were of the most primi-
tive character, and which coincided with the facilities
which one might anticipate among savages but net
in such a boasting civilised country as Germany.
Both these duties were loathsome, but I ara afraid
no one engaged on the tasks would be able te express
a conclusive opinion as te which was the worse.
The duties being se varied, opcrations often took us
a little way frein the camp. The chance te get away
even for a brief period frein out depressing and mono-
tonous surroundings was seized with avidity. Un-
fortunately, we feared that this system of forced labour
would cuhninate in out being assigned te the work
of tending the crops. But we ruade up out minds
irrevocably te de no such thing no matter how we might
be punished. The Germans had failed te nourish us
in an adequate manner, and we were certainly net
going te enable them te secure a sufficiency of food
at out expense. Indeed, the one or two attempts
which were made te impress us te toil on the land,
proved highly disastrous because considerable damage
was inflicted from out ignorance of agriculture and
gardening.
Seine of us were given the garden which belonged
te the old General who had been in charge at Senne-
lager when we first arrivcd, te keep in condition.
This official was an enthusiastic amateur gardener and
cherished a great love for flowers. Seeing that during
his régime we had received considerate treatment
within limitations, we cherished no grudge against
him. Again, the fact that his garden was tobe kept
going led us to hope that the duration of Major Bach's
7o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
reign over us was merely temporary and that our
former guardian would soon be returning. We knew
that in such an event out lot would be rendered far
casicr, so we nursed his little plot of ground with every
care and displayed just as much interest in its welfare
as if it had been our oxvn. But the old General never
came back to Sennelager, at least not during my
period of imprisonment there.
There was one party of British prisoners whom Major
Bach singled out for especially harsh and brutal
treatment. The invincible High Seas Fleet upon
one of its sporadic ventures into sait water during the
very earliest days of the '`var, stumbled across a fleet
of Grimsby trawlers unconcernedly pursuing their
usual peaceful occupation. The whole of the fisher-
men wcre ruade pnsoners and were dispatched to
Sennelager.
But Major Bach stedfastly refused to believe that
they were simple fishermen pursuing their ordinary
tasks. To his narrow and distorted mind a man on
a trawler was only toiling in the sea for one or both
of two purposes. The one was laying mines ; the other
was mine-sweeping. Consequently he decided to mark
these unfortunate hardened sea-salts in a distinguish-
ing manner which was peculiarly his own, thereby
rendering them conspicuous and possible of instant
recognition, while in the event of an escape being
attempted, no difficulty would be experienced in
identifying and catching the runaways. Each man
,vas submitted to the indignity of having one hall of
his head shaved clean, one halI of his moustache
removed, or one halI of his beard cut away. The men
branded in this manner presented a strange spectacle,
and one which afforded Maj or Bach endless amusement.
In addition a flaming big "Z " was printed boldly
upon the back of the coat of each man. This letter
comprises the initial of the German word '" zivil,"
and means that the wearer is neither a criminal nor
a nfilitary prisoner. It will be observed, however, that
THE REIGN OF TERROR 171
the Commandant declined to recognise these fishermen
as being naval prisoners, which somewhat contradicted
his assertion concerning their alleged crime. At a
subsequent date, I might mention, every civilian
prisoner was branded with the "Z'" in a similar
These fishermen were watched very closely, were
hunted and harassed at every turn without mercy,
and all things considered, experienced an abnormally
hard time. Up to the day of my rclease from Ruhle-
ben on December 6, 1915, but one of those old salts
had been released, and had been returncd to his country.
We were informed at Sennelager that the authorities
were determined, at all hazards, fo keep these "diabolical
fiends" as they were termed, in durance vile, until
the termination of the war. However, one of them
fell seriously ill after his transference from Sennelager
to Ruhleben. His condition became so scrious as
to bring about his hurried exchange, the authorities
dreading that he would die while in their charge, and
thus adversely affect the low death-rate reputation
of a German prison camp !
Our hair was grodng long, owing to the absence of
cutting facilities. Mine had almost reached my
shoulders, but I was extremely careful to submit it
to a thorough wash every morning because I shared
the fear of many of my companions that, owing to
the congestion of the camp, we should be overrun
with vermin. Undoubtedly Major Bach also antici-
pated such a state of affairs, because one morning he
appeared upon parade with a pair of clippers which he
had unearthed from somewhere and curtly commanded
every man to submit to a hair-cut.
The position of oflïcial barber to the camp was
assigned to an Englishman named L. , who I think
might be accurately described as out oflïcial humorist.
Armed with this weapon, and although absolutely
ignorant of the new calling thrust upon him, delighted
fo secure some change to the monotonous round of
"rTZ FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
toil, L------ entered upon his work with commendable
zest. But he construed the duty into a form of
amusement, and played sorry tricks with the heads
which came into his hands. Some he shaved so clean
as to present the appearance of a billiard ball, but
others he evidently considered tobe worthy of French
poodle treatment. He took a humorous delight in
executing some of the most fantastic and weird designs
itis possible fo imagine, much fo the discomfort and
chagrin of his unwilling clients. Still his quaint
expression of craftmanship and artistry contributed
somcwhat to the restricted hilarity and nfirth of the
camp.
I, myself, sternly refused to entrust my head to
L-----'s hands. I naturally thought that I should
receive a smart punishment for thus flying in the face
of the autocratic order which had gone forth, but strange
to say I round Major Bach somewhat reasonable on
this point. This is about the only redeeming feature
I can offer concerning Major Bach's rule over us. I
think, however, that he was somewhat more closely
observant than was generally supposed tobe the case,
because those of us xvho escaped the hair-cutting pre-
caution happcned tobe the vcry prisoners who were
unremiting in their efforts to preserve unassailable
personal cleanliness. No doubt L---- was disappointed
tobe deprived of a few possible heads upon which to
demonstrate his quaint skill, but we succeeded in
escaping from his clutches.
Although vermin did overrun the camps, not only
of Sennelager, but of other prisons of whose interiors
I ruade the acquaintance, I can assert truthfully that
I was never troubled with the unsolicited company of
body lice, and only once or twice discovered one or
two unwelcome strangers in my hair. The coarse
and harsh German soap effectively rendered my hair
untenantable. But some of the prisoners were over-
whelmed and presented terrifying spectacles. It
was herc that the superiority of the Bfitishcr in matters
THE REIGN OF TERROR 7
pertaining fo persona! hygiene owered over a!! the
varying faces by which ho was surroundcd, hOt even
excepting he Germans. From out own cxperience and
observation i was only too palpable tha the Teuton
soldiers are quite as careless in this connection as the
less enlightened peoplcs of south-easterr Europe,
because they were as severe!y infested--if hot more
so--with vermin.
One of the jobs set to us was making hay in an
adioining field and for the purpose of gctting away
from the camp for a fev hours many of us volunteered
for this toil. The hay had to be laden upon hugo
waggons, the load thus easily exceeding that incidcntal
to British hay-making operations, and this had to be
hauled to Paderborn for storage in lofts.
Although I was on the sick list at the rime I could
hot resist the chance to secure a glimpse of new sur-
roundings and a few strange faces. It was on this
occasion that I ruade my first, but abortive, attempt
to escape. The sentry was dozing in the hot afternoon
sun, having found a soit couch on a haycock. I slunk
off towards the trees which surround the camp. Pre-
sently I spotted a sentry. I passed him safely and
still keeping to the trees pushed forward, only tobe
surprised to discover another sentry standing on watch
with his loaded rifle. Him, too, I eluded, and was
congratulating myself upon my success when I was
disturbed by the clattering of approaching horses.
I peered through the trees and saw a squadron of
cavalry trotting towards me. I slipped into the
undergrowth to throw myself prone under a sheltering
bush. The soldiers passed within twelve feet of me.
I held my breath half-dreading that perhaps one of
the horses, scenting something unusual, might give
a warning. I kept to my cover until the soldiers had
disappeared from sight. Then I stole out to wander
stealthily forward. But I speedily discovered that
the further I got away from the camp the greater the
number of cavalry I encountered. IIoreover it was
74 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
casy to see that manuvres and training were
proceeding upon an extensive scale.
I realised thc hopelessness of attempting to break
through such a cordon, so with extreme regret I decided
to make my way back fo the hayficld. But the return
was more difficult than the outward journey. I had to
slip the guards, who seemed fo be uncannily alert
and who, if they had caught the slightest glimpse of
me, would have blazed away with their rifies without
first yelling a challenge. But I dodged them all and
rcgaining thc field sauntcrcd up towards my guard
with perfect composure. He had missed me and had
bcen looking round to see if I were at a remote part
of the ficld. As I approached he eyed me quizzically
and subjected me to a searching cross-examination
fo discovcr where I had becn. But he secured no
satisfaction, bcyond the sly hint that he had hot
noticcd roc for the simple reason that he had been
stealing a snooze. I know he did not believe the
answers I vouchafed, but I was on sale ground. Had
he hauled me before the Commandant for attempting
to escape he knew very well that I should bave retorted
with the counterchargc that he had been sleeping at
his post, in which assertion I should have been supported
by my friends. I held the trump card and he was ise
cnough to realise the fact. Consequently, beyond
telling me fo get on with my work he never ventured
another word, nor did his attitude towards me change
in any way.
Afterwards I congratulated myself upon having
responded to second thoughts to return to the camp.
I learned that the chances of escaping from Sennelager
were most slender. Not only were we interned in
the centre of a big military centre, somewhat com-
parable to our Aldershot, but special precautions had
been observed to Irustrate escape. Sentries were
thrown out at distances of a few hundred yards while
the system of overlapping these guardians was of the
most elaborate character. Such a gauntlet was far
THE REIGN OF TERROR i75
too precarious and tight tobe run with any chances of
success. The hue and cry would have been raised,
and have been transmitted to the outer rings of sentries
before one had covered a fourth of the danger zone.
We had to baie the hay on the waggon and when a
full load had been stowed aboard it was hauled away
to the lotis. But we had no horses or traction engines
to drag the vehicles ; every available beast and machine
had been requisitioned for the army. Still this factor
did not perturb our captors. Brifish nmscle could
be used as a subsfitute for animals and engines. Ac-
cordingly, about 3o of the imprisoned British tourists
were harnessed up fo tug the weighty and cumbersome
load over the heavy three miles of road, badgered and
baited by the guards. When we slowed down under
the effort, which was pretty exhausting upon a basin
ot cabbage soup, we were spurred into the normal
pace by the imprecations ot the soldiers.
In addition to the men tugging at the shafts two
had to ride on top of the load to keep it in order. The
road led through a long avenue, the lower branches
of the trees lining which swept the top of the hay.
If taxed all our ingenuity and agility to avoid a mis-
hap. Indeed, my companion was swept of[ and thrown
into the road with considerable violence, sustaining
severe bruises. It was rather by luck than judgment
that I did hot share his fate.
When we reached the outskirts of Paderborn the
guards called a halt, in order to secure refreshment.
We were also permitted, within limits, to purchase
eatables from the shops, for which, needless to say,
we had to pay exorbitantly.
we were able to secure a highly appreciated relief to our
monotonous and insufficient rare.
76 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
While the guards were enjoying themselves my
companion and I, perched on the top of the load, became
the target for the jokes and gibes of the curious crowd
which had collected round the vehicle. One fellow
in the crowd was particularly impertinent and offensive
with the result that we soon became riled. He came
close to the side of the wagon to shout some particularly
insulting epithet. With a dexterous movement my
fricnd and I, who had been watching patiently, severed
the band holding a bale and as it flew apart we gave the
bale a smart push. It toppled over the side to fall
upon the head of out tormentor with a crash, felling
him to the ground and burying lfim completely. The
uard, whom it missed narrowly, gave a savage curse,
but the rail appeared tobe so obviously accidental
that he never for a moment considered the incident
to have been premeditated. The bullying, raw-boned
young Prussian was extricated with great diflïculty
and somewhat battered. His mouth, eyes, nostrils
and ears were choked th the hayseeds and he splut-
tered, coughed and yelled in a terfifying manner.
But he who a minute before had been so ready vith
gibes at out expense was now jeered at by his com-
rades, in which out guards joined boisterously. We,
on the top had to give way to mirth. Although we
were compelled to gather the hay, remake the bale,
and reload it upon the velficle we were so satisfied
with our complete revenge as to perform the task vith
a light heart.
Whenever we visited Paderborn, or the village of
Sennelager, we never omitted to load ourselves up
with whatever ood we could purchase. Those who
did not accompany us invariably gave us the where-
withal to secure victuals for them.
THE REIGN OF TERROR 177
At first the shopkeepers were not disposed to deal
with us, no doubt fearing that they would be charged
with complicity in these transactions.
As our visits becalne more Irequent
ail hesitation upon the part of the tradesmen vanished,
and they accepted out money without the slightest
demur. We speedily discovered that the most rabid
anti-British and wildly patriotic German shopkeeper
always succumbs to business. \Vhen patriotism is
pitted against pounds, shillings and pence, patriotism
can go hang.
One of Major Bach's most diabolical acts of savagery
was the closing of the canteens in the camp fo prisoners.
This was the last straw, because now we were compelled
fo subsist upon the slender and disgusting fare served
Irom the official cookhouse. This doubtless was the
express reason which influenced the Commandant in
his action. But we were not disposed to allow him
to have things all his own way. He promulgated the
order but it had tobe enforced by his myrmidons.
We found that the canteen was still available to the
guards, so forthwith we resorted to corruption fo
evade Major Bach's decree. The guards having us
I78 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
in their mercy, bled us unmercitully, the most trivial
articles being procurable only at an extravagant price.
I paid a shilling tor a loat which I could ahvays obtain
before the closing order came into force for twopence !
Other articles were in proportion.
But closing the canteens drew the cordon round
our stomachs immeasurably tighter. It was not long
betore the fiendish decree betrayed its fruits. Gaunt
figures with pinched faces and staring wolfish eyes
slunk about the camp ready to seize anything in the
form ot food. Out physique tell away, and those
already reduced to weakness suffered still further
debilitation. Many failed to muster the strength
necessary to tulfil the tasks allotted to them. Gradual,
systematic and deliberate starvation ot the prisoners
was prosecuted in grim earnest.
Yet the British prisoners accepted the inevitable
with a tar more cheerful resignation than the others.
Undoubtedly itis a decided trait ot the British char-
acter never tobe cast dom when brought tace to tace
with disaster. Out boys were quite as resourceful
as Major Bach, although in the opposite direction--
to keep ourselves alive. rhenever any ot us went out
and came within reach ot a field growing vegetable
crops we did hot hesitate to raid it. Supplies ot raw
carrots, onions, potatoes, turnips and any other roots
in the edible line were smuggled into the barracks.
Late at night, atter all lights had been extinoaished
and we were supposed tobe asleep, we were sitting up
munching quietly away at these spoils of war with as
much gsto and enthusiasm as if enjoying a table d']ôte
dinner in the luxury of a crack West End hotel.
One day one of our party came in with a cucumber.
Where or how he had got it we never knew, and vhat
is more we did not trouble to enquire. The tact that
we had corne into possession of a dainty suflîced. We
fell upon it with a relish which it s impossible to
describe. It was divided among us in accordance
with our accepted communal practice, and I do not
THE REIGN OF TERROR x79
think any article which we secured in Sennelager was
ever eaten with such wholehearted enjoyment as that
cucumber. But the incident was not free ffom its
touch of pathos. \Vhen we sat down to the cucumber
we carefully peeled it and threw the rind away. Two
days later tvo others and myself set out to recover that
cucumber rind vhich had been discarded, the pinch
about the waistbelt having become insistent. We
round it, soiled and shfivelled, but we ate it ravenously.
Major Bach may have wondered why the British
civil prisoners did hot reveal signs of semi-starvation
so readily as those of other nationalities. But we
had long since discovered that it was uscless to go
about the camp with long faces and the bearing of the
" All-is-Lost Brigade." We wcre almost entirely
dependent upon out own ingenuity to keep ourselves
alive, and we succeeded. The methods adopted may
be criticised, but in accordance with the inexorable
first law of Nature we concluded that the end justified
any means.
CHAPTER XII
THE REIGN OF TERROR--CONTINUED
WtIILE for the most part we had been compelled fo
labour upon sundry duties, we were not hard pushed,
being somewhat in the position of the workmen toiling
by the hour, except that out efforts went unrewarded
in a financial sense. But this system did hot coincide
with the ideas of Major Bach.
He paraded us one morning and assuming his
favourite attitude before us treated us to a little homily.
It was a characteristic tirade delivered in the con-
ventional Teuton gramophone manner. But it affected
us materially.
Now we were to become slaves in rery truth !
The Commandant informed us point-blank that he
was extremely dissatisfied udth our manner of working.
We were too slow : we nursed our tasks. Did we think
we were being kept at Sennelager for the benefit of
our health or to make holiday ? If so that was a fond
delusion. Henceforth he was going to estimate a
certain time for each task which would have fo be
completed within the period allowed, even if we had
to work every hour God gave us and, if need be, on
Sundays as well.
Major Bach never minced matters : he meant every
word he said. So upon being dismissed we returned
to our barracks looking decidedly glum. Pressure
was being applied at every turn now, and it was
becoming a pressure which could be feR.
We were soon notified as to the first task which we
were fo rush throuEh on " contract æ æ rime. A big
fence was required to enclose a certain area of the
x 80
THE REIGN OF TERROR
camp, and this was fo be erected, together with the
necessary gares and other details within fourteen
days. If we could complete R within a shorter rime
no complaint would be rMsed. But he would hOt allow
another day beyond his linfit, lajor Bach must bave
been a masterpiece in this particular phase of human
endeavour, inasmuch as his anticipated period, as we
learned, could hOt bave been reduced by a single day.
The prisoners were divided into gangs, each of which
was allotted fo a definite operation. ARhough the
erection of this fence constituted the hardest enter-
prise which we had ever taken in hand we did hOt
finch. Somehow or other we considered that llajor
Bach had given expression fo an unwarrantable
reflection upon out abilities. He practically considered
us fo be no more nor less than slackers. Wel| ! We
wou|d show him what we could do, although prisoners,
denîed every possible comfort, and half-starved into
the bargain. Every man undertook fo exert himself
fo the utmost and fo do his leve| best.
No facilities whatever were extended fo us beyond
the most primitive of too|s. One party was sent into
the adjacent woods fo fell suitable trees fo serve as
posts, fo trim them of branches, and fo the required
|ength of o feet. Then they had fo be carried by
manua! effort into the camp where the butt was cham-
fered and chaned in a wood re as a protection against
too rapid decay.
WMle the posts were bMn prepared a second party
was busHy engaged in digging the holes for them.
Each ole had fo be of a prescribed diameter, by one
metreabout feetin depth, and they were set a
certain distance apart. Tree-fe|ling might bave been,
and undoubtedly was, hard work fo inexperienced
hands, but hole digging ! That was set down as the
unassMlable |irait. Driving the pick and shovel in
the rebe|lious ground was back-breaking i the hot
sun and if had fo be mantained wtout pause or
slackenin.
182 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
When the post had been planted the wire-pulling
gang came along. The wire used for the purpose was
galvanised netting such as is used to enclose chicken
runs, game prescrves, and tennis grounds, reinforced
by. one or two equidistantly spaced lines of ordinary
wre. It had fo be strctched faut by hand and moving
the heavy roll by manual effort and uncoiling it as we
advanced, dcmanded not only strength but dexterity.
Af each post the wire was attached by the aid of a few
staples.
Although ve labourcd zealously the task proved far
more fornfidable than we had anticipated. The fence
was 7 fcct in height, while I should think that from
6o0 to 800 yards had to be run. The netting only
cncloscd three sidcs of the desired space, the fourth
side bcing fcnced in by a belt of trees. In ordcr to get
the work done on time and to avoid being compelled
fo toil on Sundays, we had to labour long and hard.
We startcd shortly after six in the morning, but it was
often about half-past six in the evening before we
knocked off for the day. We took a strange and
inexplicable pride in the enterprise. The fence was hOt
built upon the typical shoddy German lines, but
strictly in accordance with substantial British ideas.
I may mintion that we had good reason to regret this
display of zeal and excellent workmanship ata later
date.
Seeing that the evening was well advanced before
we ceased work we liad little time for relaxation.
When we stowed our tools for the day we were dog-
tired and were hustlcd into barracks. It was work
and sleep in deadly earnest, but we were mighty glad
we succceded in avoiding the threatened Sunday
labour, because this was the only day we could devote to
out own duties such as mending and washing clothes.
Vhile we were pushing ahead with this task we
discussed its coming purposes very animatedly. But
none of the guards appeared to have the slightest
inkling of its projected application. However, this
THE REIGN OF TERROR 183
was immaterial fo us. A loud cheer of triumph went
up when we had hung the gares, which we had also
fashioned af great effort, and the duty was completed.
We were beside ourselves vith self-satisfaction and
delight because we had shown the implacable Major
Bach what we Britishers could do when we ruade up
out minds fo tackle anything. I very much doubt
whether even an equal number of skilled workmen
would have completed the fence within the stipulated
rime, and we for the most part were quite foreign fo
the trades involved.
When we first entered the camp we were provided
with a tolerably satisfactory area of adjacent space
in which fo exercise ourselves. But as additional
prisoners came in this limb-stretching promenade
became gradually reduced until at last if was no more
than a suburban chicken run in area, being just as
long as out barrack by one-half the space between the
two rows of buildings. These cramped quarters rathcr
exasperated us because we were denied the pleasure
of a little stroll. The exercise yard was also invariably
obstructed by clothes hanging on the lines to dry or
fo air, the result being that within a very short time
the British section of Sennelager Camp became vividly
reminiscent of a slum in the densely populated districts
off the Mile End Road.
The speedy completion of the " big fence " unfor-
tunately set a bad precedent. Major Bach, flushed
with tlle success of his first speeding-up tactics, grew
more and more inexorable in this connection. For
every job a rigid time-limit was now set, and he did
not hesitate to reduce the period to an ahnost
impossible point. The cause was perfectly obvious.
He concluded that by setting us an absolutely
impossible, though apparently reasonable, enterprise,
he would secure the opportunity for which he was so
sedulously waiting--to mete us out some new punish-
ment. But somehow or other we always contrived to
cheat him in his nefarious designs.
x8 4 FOUR GERIAN PRISONS
During this period our guard was changed frequently.
Men would be withdrawn to make up the losses incurred
upon the battlefield. Thus we were brought into
contact with the various types of Germans which
constitute the Teutonic Empire. Some were certainly
not ill-disposcd towards us. They mounted guard
over us according to their own interpretation of this
essential duty. But others slavishly followed the
rigid instructions which were laid down, notably the
Prussian guards, who were about the most brutal and
despicable blackguards it is possible for the whole ot
Grmany to have produced to mount watch and ward
over us. One set of guards was thdrawn to bring
a Wcstphalian regiment to fighting strength and
proceeded to the front. Afterwards we learned that
every man had been lost--killed, wounded or missing.
The severe mauling which the German armies were
receiving--we knew nothing about it at the time
undoubtedly was partly responsible for the harsh
treatment extended fo us. Unable to smash the
"contemptible little army," which was certainly
proving capable of looking after itself, vengeance was
visited upon out defenceless heads.
One day a huge crowd of prisoners was brought in.
Whether the Commandant had been advised of their
coming or not I ara unable to say. But one" incon-
trovertible fact remainshe failed utterly to make
any food arrangements to meet the increase in the
camp's population. The prisoners reached the camp
in the usual famishing condition and were given a
small ration. But they were satisfied partially at our
expense. The remaining food was only adequate to
give us one-half of our usual small dole, and we had to
rest content therewith. The canteen being closed we
could hot make up the deficiency even at our own
expense.
My health was now giving way, as a result of my
privations in Wesel prison, accentuated by the
indifferent and insuflïcient food and hard work at
THE REIGN OF TERROR 185
Sennelager. I was assigncd to various light dutics.
One of these brought me into the cook-house, whcre I
was ordered to eut up the black brcad--onc brick loaI
into rive equal pieces, each of which had to last a man
through six meals. I was eithcr unfittcd for kitchcn
work or else my presence was resentcd. At all cvents
I soon realised that my first day in the cook-house
would undoubtedly be my last. I had to serve out
the brcad, and ostensibly, eithcr Irom lack of experience
or nervousness, I bungled my task. The men had
to go by the boiler in single file, passing on to the table
to rcceive the bread, whcre serving was carricd out so
dexterously that the moving line ncver paused--until
it got to my table. But thcre was method in my
bungling. I was zealously striving to double the
bread ration to the British prisoners. Consequcntly
the pieces of brcad pcrsisted in tumbling to the ground,
thereby hindering and upsetting the steady progrcss
and rhythm of scrving. But each man as hc stoopcd
to recover a Iallen piece rcceivcd a second hunk
surreptitiously, as was my direct intention. However,
unfortunately for me, the bread did not go far cnough,
the outcome being an outburst of furthcr troublc.
As I had expected, my room was prcIerrcd to my
company in that kitchen and I was deposed.
While in Sennelagcr I had been scdulously keeping
an elaborate diary in which I entcred details of evcry
incident that beIell the camp. I had also recovered
my original diary which had playcd such a promincnt
part at my trial in Wesel prison,
Now diaries were the one thing in Sennelager which
were rigorously debarred. To have been caught with
such a record of the doings and my opinions of the
German authorities would have brought me an exem-
plary sentence of solitary confinement or penal servitude
in a German prison, if not something worse. Con-
sequently I was compelled to post my diary in secrecy.
i86
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
I discovered a hiding-place which would never have
occurred to the guards, even if they had gained an
inlding that such a document was in existence.
One of our party fell a victim to chronic asthma, and
was isolated, being given a room under the oflïcer's
quarters. Someone was required to accompany him
to extend assistance and constant surwillance, and
selection fell upon me. Locking myself in this room
at night, with my sick companîon, I used to while
away the time preparing some rough notes which I
was keeping for a specific purpose in addition to the
diary proper, which, however, I left in its original
hiding-place.
By some means or other the guard suspected lny
engagement in some such task. They ruade several
surprise entrances but failed to catch me in the act of
writing. The heavy tread of their coming feet always
gave me ample warning so that I could get my notes
into safe hiding. But one night they burst open the
door suddenly and I was caught red-handed. On my
knees was my pad at which I was îting feveriskly.
But the pad was inscribed with notes which I regarded
as of an cmergency character. Realising the object
of their unexpected entry I clapped the pad on the
table, thus covering up the prepared and detailed
notes which I desired to keep. The guard sprang
forward delirious with joy at having ruade a capture,
snatched the loose sheets flore the pad, and went off
in high glee to report my heinous offcnce. But the
man in his haste left the proper notes on the table.
He was too thick-brained to think for a moment that
I should ever trouble to prepare two diaries, one for
myself and one for capture if detected, so I still held
the treasured original, which I instantly hid away
safely.
As luck would have it nota word was included in
the captured notes to offer written evidence of my
private and candid opinion of my captors, theu- methods
and out lire. The fact that I had written nothing
THE REIGN OF TERROR i8 7
detrimental to the authorities apparently appeased
the Commandant, notvithstanding the enormity of
my delinquency. Af all events I reccived nothing
worse than a stern admonition and threats of severe
punishment if I were caught infringing the regulations
again, to all of which I listened humbly, but with my
tongue in my cheek.
My diary was posted up fully in due course, and what
is more fo the point I got the voluminous and incrimin-
ating evidence away from Sennelager. Af a later
date I became somewhat apprehensive as fo its safety,
and was anxious to get it to England. For some
rime I was baffled in my efforts, but at last a friendly
neutral offered to take it and to see that it was delivered
fo my friend who has chronicled this story, to whom I
had addressed it. This diary wandered about Germany
considerably, the person in question preferring to make
haste slowly to disarm all suspicion. At last the
neutral, after having been searched several times with-
out yielding anything incriminating, got as far as the
frontier. About to pass into the adjacent friendly
country the carrier was detained, and by some
mischance the diary happened to be unearthed.
The neutral was arrested upon some trumped-up
charge to afford the authorities time fo peruse the in-
criminating document. Cross-examined the go-between
protested ignorance of the contents : the parcel was
found just as it had been received from the consignor,
the seals were ail intact, and it was under delivery to
the person whose address was written upon the outside.
There was nothing attached fo associate myself with
the document, although my friend at home would have
known instantly whence it had corne. The upshot
was that the diary was confiscated. I was bitterly
mortified fo learn its fate when within a stone's throw
of safety, because it contained incidents of all des-
criptions set out in regular sequence, and in a plain
unvarnished manner. Its pcrusal must have stung
the Germans pretty severely since if was decidedly
188 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
unpalatable to Teuton pride. It was a comprehensive
indictment of the German treatment of the British
prisoners, relative more particularly to Sennelager,
which the authorities were firmly determined should
never become known to the world af large, and to
conceal which they used unceasing efforts. Had that
diary got home it would bave created a tremendous
sensation. My vexation was completed by the
thought that the diary contained many episodes and
incidents which I can no,v only recall hazily, but I
thanked my lucky stars that I had taken the precaution
to keep a précis of the contents which I myself brought
away with me, and which bas proved of valuable
assistance in setting forth this narrative.
A few days after having completed the famous
" big fence" we were parade& Major Bach strode up,
obviously in a terrible temper--it was the six o'clock
paradewand facing us, roared :
" You English dogs ! Barracks are too comfortable
for you ! You should be ruade to feed from the sxvine-
tub! Bring all your luggage out--everything you've
got, and your sacks of straw ! l'll give you ten minutes
to doit. Then you'll parade again ! Hurry up ! "
We were thunderstruck af this order. What .was
in the wind ? Major Bach was adept in springing
surprises upon us, but this excelled anything to which
we had been treated hitherto.
Speculation was idle. We had only ten minutes to
do as we were bidden, and we bustled around to be on
parade as demande& The excitement was intense.
We collected every stick to which we could lay a claim,
and with all our worldly belongings, as well as our
sack of straw, on our shoulders, we trotted out and
formed up.
As we paraded, the guards made a diligent search
of the barracks to see that we had left nothing behind.
Also to make sure that no prisoner was lurking in
hiding.
We received the order fo march. We tramped along
THE REIGN OF TERROR 18 9
under our bulky and ungainly loads, and round we were
being escorted fo the enclosure which we had fcnced in.
We swung through the gare, which was closed behind
the last man, and a soldier mounted guard over if.
In a flash the truth burst upon us.
We were clapped into the barbed wire priso which we
had built with so much energy and in which we had taken
such pride !
The look of dismay which settled upon the faces
of the more lugubrious members of out party at this
typical Teutonic illustration of adding insult to injury
was perfectly justifiable. Here were we turncd into
an open field surrounded by netting, as if we were so
many cattle, and in which there were no tcnts or other
buildings except a single small shed. Some of us
scurried to this little tumbledown shanty to stow out
belongings. We had to parade and were curtly
commanded to empty the straw from our sacks. We
did so though our spirits dropped to zero at this sum-
mary deprivation of our beds. We were told to keep
the empty sacks and to secure them against loss or
theft, which injunction we did hOt rail to take to heart.
Then we were left. No one appeared to know what
to do with us. We were informed that instructions
would be given later. We -kicked out heels about in
the broiling sun, sprawling here, and lolling there.
The hours passed but there was no further development.
When noon came and we received no summons for
the mid-day meal we commenced to grow apprehensive
in spite of ourselves. Fortunately the weather was
glorious, although the hot sun, which we could not
escape, proved distressing.
As the time wore on we spurred out interpreters to
exert themselves on our behalf. They constituted
our only means of mediating with out superiors, and
we urged them to go to the Commandant to enquire
about our rations.
The interpreters went off and succeeded in gaining
an audience with Major Bach, who was round in his
19o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
office conferring with his iuniors. Directly he espied
out interpreters he yelled testily :
" Dolmetscher ! Dolmetscher ! I cannot attend
to any Dolmetscher now ! "
" ]But," persisted one of the interpreters, " how
about the food for--"
" Don't corne worrying me now, '° was the savage
interruption. " Get out ! "
Our intermediaries came back and their doleful
faces told us more eloquently than words that their
interview had proved balTen.
Some of the prisoners were giving way. A basin
of acorn coffee and a small piece of black bread was
all we had eaten for breakfast, and we were commencing
to feel the pangs of hunger disconcertingly.
In an adjacent field were some British Tommies
Irom Mons. Some of us, tiring of sprawling about on
the grass, and with a queer pain gna4ng af out stomach,
strolled off towards them to secure some distraction
and smother the call of " little Mary." The soldiers
were hugely delighted to see us and we were soon
engrossed in a spirited conversation.
Suddenly out fraternising was observed by some
officers who came hurrying up in high dudgeon.
" Here ! None of that," they bawled. " Military
and civilians must hot talk together ! " saying which
they bundled the soldiers away and evidently reported
out offence. At least out guards came up shortly
afterwards, marshalled us, and led us through a small
wood into a low-lying field. It was apparently another
fiendish inspiration of Major ]Bach to confine us here,
because the field was nothing but a swamp. It was
hot so soddened as to allow the feet to sink ankle
deep into the mire, but was like a wet sponge. It
was impossible to sit down or one would have got
wet through.
We were left standing in this uninviting quagmire for
four solid hours. The interpreters were pestered un-
mercifully to secure us something fo eat and to drink,
THE REIGN OF TERROR 191
but they wcre as helpless as ourselves. "I'hey were well-
nigh distracted at the ugly turn which things were
taking. Matters were certainly becoming alarmig
among the weaker prisoners, who were now in a
pitiable condition.
It was not until rive o'clock in the afternoon that
the authorities suddenly remembered us. Then we were
lined up to secure some food. But we passed three
hours in that queue only to receive a small dole of
filthy looking thin cabbage soup. This was all that
had passed out lips since the wretched black coffee
served fifteen hours before !
Yet we were thankful for such a meagre mouthful.
We were all so famished that we took no heed of the
noisomeness of the ration. Now we began to grow
anxious as to the arrangements for enabling us to
pass the night. Our interpreters had been questioning
one or two of the younger officers who were mounting
guard over us in this field.
" Oh ! That'll be all right," was the retort. " We're
going to put you into tents ! "
"But where are the tents? "persisted the interpreters,
looking around wonderingly.
"Oh," was the evasive reply, "they have commenced
to put them up. But we find we shall hot get all
the tents for a few days. They haven't corne in
yet! You'll be a bit crowded at first but it'll soon be
straightened out."
Again our faces fell. We had been turned out of
our barracks belote out tents had been procured. This
was a dismal look-out, but we hoped that, as the officers
said they were putting up tents, we should be able to
squeeze under cover, if in discomfort.
We were lined up again in the twilight to receive
marching orders. We were escorted into the field,
which is set upon the side of a hill, and as we swung
into this space we could not suppress an exclamation.
The field was alive àth men. Ail the other prisoners
had been evicted from their barracks, and had been
i92 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
turned into this open enclosure. The hill-side was
black, with a sullen, heaving, listless mass of humanity,
numbering over 1,5oo all told, and of every conceivable
enemy (to Germany) nationality. We scanned the
field for a glimpse of the tents, but the only signs of
canvas we could see was one large marquee vhich was
]ying on the ground ready for erection upon the brow
of the hill.
XVe stood wondering how we were going to spend the
night when orders were bawled out that we were to
sleep in the open ! This intimation was received with
a wailing and groaning which sounded ominous to me.
But the guard, which had been strongly reinforced,
was in overwhelming array so that all discontent
and protest counted for naught. A bewildering
string of orders was yelled, the substance of vhich was
that we were to shake ourselves dovn upon the grass
in long regular rows, with a narrow passage between
each two. I think this was the first occasion upon which
I had ever seen so many prisoners give way, since in
the majority of cases the men were devoid of any means
of making themselves comfortable for the night in
the open air. Some of us, including myself, had taken
the precaution to bring our blankets with us : indeed,
we considered the blanket such an inestimable boon
and companion that we never parted with it even for
a moment. We rolled ourselves in these, and although
the grumblings and growlings which rose and fell over
the field recalled the any murmuring of the sea and
were disturbing, I was so exhausted that I soon fell
sound asleep.
So far as I was personally concerned I was not
particularly sorry that Major Bach, in his devilish
intention to exasperate us, had conceived the idea of
compelling us to sleep in the open. The weather was
intensely hot and the night became insufferably sultry.
It must bave been about midnight when I awoke for
the first time. For the moment I could not collect
my thoughts and sat up somewhat surprised at the
THE REIGN OF TERROR 193
unusual brilliancy of the light playin i upon my face,
which was in striking contrast to the dismal blackness
of the barracks. Then'I realised that we were in the
open and that a glorious full moon was shining upon
us from a cloudless sky.
I got on my feet and looked around. It was a strange,
albeit extraordinarily impressive sight. Guards were
patrolling the lines, their bayonets flashing sharply
as they caught the glittering silvery light of the moon.
My guard came along and ordered me to lie down,
but I refused, and, in fact, walked along between
the rows of prostrate forms. The air was mcannily
still, broken only by the twitterings of night birds, the
hooting of the owls, the subdued clanging of rifles,
the footsteps of the guards, and the groans of many
of the sleepers who were twisting and turning upon
the ground. The hillside was crowded with the restless
forms; they seemed so thick and densely packed as
to cover every inch of space.
As I surveyed the scene the loneliness and helpless-
ness of out position did not strike me. All was so quiet
and apparently peaceful. Now and again a sleeper
would stir, mutter something in his sleep about his
poor wife and children at home, and would sit up to
ascertain what light was playing upon his face, would
turn to the moon and then completely satisfied would
lie down and relapse into slumber. As I observed
the heavy dew which had dressed the grass and sleeping
forms with beads which sparkled like diamonds I could
hot repress a feeling of thanks that the weather was
kind to us. Supposing it had rained! I shuddered
at the thought.
At 4.30 we were all roused, lined up, and ordered to
prepare to receive our breakfast. We formed queues
as instructed but we had to wait patiently until eight
o'clock before we received out rations--the acorn coffee
looking more sickly and watery than ever. Only a few
basins were available so we had to drink successively
out of the self-same vessel, as rapidly as we could swal-
x94 FOUR GER.IAN PRISONS
low the liquid upon the spot. We closed out eyes to
the fact that a hundred or more people of all national-
ities, from Frenchmen fo Poles, German recruits to
Slavs, had drunk a few moments previously from
these basins which were not even finsed after use. The
thought was revolting, but if was either drink xvith a
blind trust in the Fates or go without.
During that day the erection of the single marquee
was hastened. It was the only tent available, and
there were suftïcient of us on the field to have packed it
to suffocation ten rimes over! We were compelled
to go xvithout out midday meal, but this did not dis-
concert us very pronouncedly. Out peace of mind was
being racked by another impending aggravation of out
predicament. Dark heavy clouds were gathering in the
sky. Was the weather which had been merciful to us
during the pre'ious night now going to break ?
When the marquee was completed a few trusses
of straw were thrown in and distributed thinly over
the ground. Then ensued a wild stampede to secure
a place beneath the canvas, a rabble of several hundreds
fighting frantically among themselves to seek a couch
in the absurdly inadequate temporary canvas dwelling.
The men stowed themselves in so tightly in close
serried rows that when lying down they were unable to
turn over. Once a position had been seized the tenant
never dared fo leave it for an instant for fear it would be
seized by some one else. The guards demanded and
succeeded in maintaining for a rime a narrow gangway
between the ro's, but the crush became so terrible
that even this space was soon occupied and the soldiers
were prevented from moving within the tent.
The marquee was packed fo suffocation, and the
fact that the greater part of the seething mass of
humanity was filthy dirty and thickly infested with
lice and other vermin from causes over which they had
no control caused the atmosphere within to become so
hot and fcetid as to make one's stomach iump into
one's throat.
THE REIGN OF TERROR 195
One glance at the packed marquee sufficed to make
up my mind for me. Corne what might it would never
see me within its walls. Were a light carelessly dropped
among the loose straw a fearful holocaust must ensue.
Few if any could bave got out alive. This thought
haunted me so persistently that I moved as far away
from the tent as I could.
We received no further rations that day until the
evening, when another small dole of watery greasy
coffee was handed round as in the morning. But we
never glanced af this noisome liquid. The terror which
we had been dreading so feaxfully had burst upon us.
It was raining hard ! At first only a gentle refreshing
shover, it developed into a torrential downpour, and
gave every indication of lasting for an indefinite period.
Consider the situation--approximately two thousand
human beings stranded upon a bleak exposed field,
absolutely devoid of any shelter, except the solitary
paltry maxquee. Little wonder that our faces blanched
at the prospect belote us. How should we be able to
sleep ? What horrors would the dawn reveal ? God
only knew.
EHAP'I'ER XIII
«* THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER II
]3Y tcn o'clock in the evening the rain was falling in
sheets and the water coursing down the slope fo collect
in the depression speedily forrned a shallow lake at the
bottom end of " the field." No one can form the
slightest impression of the wretchedness of those who
were exposed to the full fury of the elernents through
the ferocious and brutal inhurnanity of Major Bach.
The little food which had been served out to us so
sparingly failed to keep our bodies warm, let alone
fortify us against the visitation by which we were now
being overwhelmed.
The wind increased in fury until at last it was blow-
ing with the force of a gale. The trees creaked and
bent beneath its onslaughts, and those who had ven-
tured to seek the slight protection afforded by the
overhanging branches, trernbled with fear lest the
trees should be torn up by the roots or heavy limbs
be wrenched free and tossed arnong thern.
Those who had secured the shelter offered by the
solitary marquee and who, notwithstanding the irre-
spirable and filthy atmosphere, considered possible
suffocation and the danger of tire to be preferable to
the drenching rain, were conffonted with a new and far
more terrifying menace.
The wind catching the broad surface which the tent
offered commenced to flap whatever loose ends of the
canvas it could pick up, with a wild, nerve racking
noise. The vhole marquee swung and reeled to and
fro, the sport of the boisterous gusts. The main poles
creaked as they bent beneath the enorrnous strains to
I96
"' THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER xx " x97
which they were being put. The guy ropes, now
thoroughly saturated and having contracted, groaned
fiercely as if about fo snap. Hurried efforts vere
rnade fo slacken the ropes slightly, but the vind, driving
rain, and inky blackness of the night, as wcll as the
swollen hernp, hindered this task very effectively.
Indeed the tension upon sorne of the stakes becarne so
acute that they either snapped or else vere uprooted.
As the supports gave way the ungainly rnarquee
cornrnenced fo totter and rock far more threateningly.
The wind driving into the interior flapped the roof
rnadly. The herded hurnanity within feared that the
whole of the canvas above them vould be blown off
fo be carried away by the galc. The inlnates who
had fought so desperately arnong thernselves for the
shelter it offered vere now crouching and shivering
vith fear. Sorne highly strung individual raised a cry
of danger. The next instant there was a wild palfiC
which lasted a considerable tirne. There vas a vicked
cornbined rush to get outside, the rnen fighting arnong
thernselves fiercely.
Outside, upon " the field," bedlarn was let loose.
The seething mass of hurnanity was now soaked fo the
skin. The rnen walked up and down, their teeth
chattering rnadly, in a desperate effort fo keep warm.
Indeed if was necessary for many of thern fo persist
in unwilling exercise since this was the only way fo
keep alive" to stop was to sink down from sheer
fatigue. In the darkness I had discovered and kept
cornpany with a South African, Moresby White.1 But it
was alrnost impossible to converse, since ve had to
shout with all the force of our lungs to rnake our voices
heard above the roar and rattle of the vind and rain.
We were cornpelled to tread warily, because in the
Cimrnerian darkness it was impossible to distinguish
the groaning forrns crouching upon the ground.
We linked our arrns tightly together to forrn rnutual
1 Thi gentleman bas since been released and at the time ci
writing is recuperating in Great t3ritain.
I98 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
support and persistently plodded hither and thither.
The spectacle was terrifying and tested the nerves of
the strongest among us. If ever humanity were cast
adrift and left to its own devices, it was that night upon
" the field." Some of the prisoners were rushing fo
and fro frantic ith fear. Others huddled together
as if to keep one another warm. Some were on their
knees praylng fervently, while other parties were
inging hymns in voices which made the strongest-
hearted among us blench. Hcre and there were men
stamping furiously up and down cursing af the top of
their voices, hurling tierce imprecations to the wind
and consigning the Commandant, his superiors, and al/
their works to everlasting torment. Some of the
most ex_hausted prisoners had congregated together
and crouched dth their heads bowed fo the storm,
shivering "ith cold, afraid to speak, hungry and terror-
stricken, yet completely resigned fo the rate which
they felt convinced must be theirs and absolutely
inevitable. A few, whose nerves were highly strung,
were striding up and down laughing demoniacally,
wa'dng their arms madly, and gesticulating as if their
senses had indeed given way. A few of the rougher
spirits were blaspheming, and to such a tune that even
the most hardened among us were forced to turn our
backs to escape their blood-curdling oaths.
As midnight approached the wind and rain increased
in fury. Even the guard failed to stand against it.
The sentries were drenched from head to foot. The
conditions became so bad that an order was suddenly
circulated to the effect that the guard was to be changed
cvery two hours, instead of at four-hour intervals.
The sentries were quite powerless to assist us even if
they had been disposed to corne to our aid to mitigate
our retched condition in any way. One guard, his
compassion evidently aroused by a scene such as he
had never witnessed before, secured some thin stakes
and thrust them through the wire netting to form a
support to a large blanket. With this he thought that
" THE BLOODY NIGIIT OF SEPTEMBER II " 199
perhaps a little shelter nfight be obtained. \Ve crowded
beneath this precarious protection, but the first blast
of the gale which swept the ficld after its iinprovisation,
whisked the blanket and the stakes into the air. They
were never seen again.
About twelve o'clock I was on the verge of collapse.
My friend supported me, but even he vas faint from
lack of food and exposure. We decided to roll our
soddened bodies in our saturated blankets, to lie down
on the ground and to strive to woo sleep. We stretched
ourselves on the fiat, but the wind and rain beat un-
Incrcifully upon us. Although we were dead-beat the
angcl of sleep refused to corne fo us. As a mattcr of
fact, when we stretched ourselves in the mud we did
not care two straws whether we evcr saw the light of
day again or not.
After lying about two hours upon the ground I put
out Iny hand to discover that we wcre lying in two
inches of water. But not only this. The floodwater,
in its mad rush to escape to the depression at the lower
end of the field, had carved a course through the spot
where we were lying. The result was that the rushing
water was running down our necks, coursing over our
bodies beneath our clothes, and rushing wildly from the
bottolns of our trousers. \Ve were acting uncon-
sciously as conduits, but we did not serve in this
capacity any longer than we could help.
We regained our feet, our clothes nov so water-
logged as to bear us down with their weight. We
tramped laboriously to the top of the field and as the
wind bore down upon us it carried upon ifs bosom a
Inad madrigal of hymns, prayers, curses, blasphemy,
and raucous shouting. Groups of men were now lying
about tlficldy, soine hall-drowned from iinmersion in
the pools, while others were groaning and Inoaning in
a blood-freezing lnanner. Small hand-baggage and
parcels, the sole belongings of Inany a prisoner, were
drifting lfither and thither, the sport of rushing water
and wind. At the lower end of the field the water had
300 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
sprawled farther and farther over the depression, and
therein we could descry men lying in huddled heaps
too weak to fise to their feet.
It was a picture of misery and wretchedness such
as it would be impossible to parallel. I recalled the
unhappy scenes I had witnessed around the railway
terminus at Berlin under similar conditions, but that
was paradise to the field at Sennelager Camp on the
fateful night of September II. It appeared as if the
Ahnighty Himself had turned upon us at last, and
was rcsolved to blot us from the face of the earth.
XVe were transformed into a condition bordering on
frigidity from rain-soaked clothes clinging to bodies
rcduced to a state of low vitality and empty stomachs.
ttad we been in good health I doubt whether the
storm and exposure would have wreaked such havoc
among us.
While my friend and I were standing on a knoll
pondering upon the utter helplessness and misery
around us, singing and whistling were borne to us upon
the xdnd. We listened to catch fragments of a comic
song between the gusts. There was no mistaking
those voices. We picked out way slowly to beneath
the trees whence the voices proceeded, glad to meet
some company which could be merry and bright, even
if the mood had tobe assumed with a desperate effort.
Beneath the trees we found a small party of out
indomitable compatriots. They received us with
cheery banter and j oke and an emphatic assurance that
" it is all right in the summer rime." They were quite
as wretched and as near exhaustion as anybody upon
the field, but they were firmly determined not to
show it. A comic song had been started as a distrac-
tion, the refrain being bawled for all it was worth as if
in defiance of the storm. This was what had struck
our etrs.
This panacea being pronounced effective a com-
prehensive programme was rendered. Every popular
song that occurred to the mind was turned on and
" THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER II " oI
yelled with wild lustiness. Those who did not know
the words either whistled the air or improvised an
impossible ditty. Whenever there was a pause to
recall some new song, the interval »vas occupied xvith
"Rule, Britannia!" This was a prime favourite, and
repetition did not stale ifs forceful rendition, especial
stress being laid upon the vords, "Britons never, never,
shall be slaves ! " to which was roared the eternal en-
quiry, " Are we down-hearted ? " The welkin-smashing
negative, crashing through the night, and not entirely
free from embroidery, offered a conclusive answer.
If takes a great deal to destroy a Britishcr's spirits,
but this terrible night almost supplied the crucial test.
We were not only combating Prussian atrocity but
Nature's ferocity as well, and the two forces now
appeared fo be in alliance. The men sang, as they
confessed, because it constituted a kind of employ-
ment at least to the mind, enabled them to forger their
misery somewhat, and proved an excellent antidote
to the gnawing pain in the vicinity of the waist-belt.
Once a singer started up the strains of " Little Mary,"
but this was unanimously vetoed as coming too near
home. Then from absence of a better inspiration, xve
commenced to roar " Home, Sweet Home," which I
think struck just as responsive a chord, but the senti-
ment of which ruade a universal appeal.
But hymns were resolutely barred. Those boister-
ous and irrepressible Tapleys absolutely declined to
profane their faith on such a night as this. It xvas
either a comic song or nothing. To have sung hymns
with the swinish brutal guards lounging around would
have conveyed an erroneous impression. They would
bave chuckled af the thought that at last we had been
thoroughly broken in and in our resignation had turned
Latter Day Saints or Revivalists. These boys were
neither Saints, Revivalists nor Sinners, but merely
victims of Prussian brutality in its blackest form and
grimly determined not fo give in under any circum-
stances whatever.
202
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
XVhen at last a suggestion was made that a move
would be advantageous, one shouted "Come on, boys !
Linking arms so as to forma solid human wall, but in
truth t0 hold one another up, we marched across the
field, singing " Soldiers of the King," or some other
appropriate martial song to keep our spirits at a high
level, while we stamped some warmth into out jaded
bodies, exercised our stiffening muscles, and demon-
strated to our captors that we were by no means
" knockcd to the wide " as they fondly imagined.
Now and again a frantic cheer would ring through the
night, or a yell of wild glee burst out as one of the
party wcnt floundering through a huge pool to land
prostrate in the mud. Vqlen it is remembered that
some of us had not tastcd a bite of food for forty-eight
hours, and had drunk nothing but thin and watery
acorn coffee, it is possible to gain some measure of the
indonfitable spirit which was shown upon this desperate
occasion. The attitude and persiflage under such
deprcssing conditions did not fail to impress our guards.
They looked on with mouths open and scratched their
heads in perplexity. Afterwards they admitted that
nothing had impressed them so powerfully as the
behaviour of the British prisoners that night and
conceded that we were truly " wonderful," to which
one of the boys retorted that it was not wonderful
at all but " merely natural and could not be helped."
Personally I think singing was the most effective
medium for passing the time which xve cotfld have hit
on. It drowned the volleys of oaths, curses, wails,
groans, sobbings, and piteous appeals which rose to
Heaven from all around us. If we had kept dumb our
minds must have been depressingly affected if not
unhinged by what we could see and hear.
Thus we spent the remaining hours of that terrible
night until with the break of day the rain ceased. Then
we took a walk round to inspect the wreckage of
hulnanity brought about by Major Bach's atrocious
action in turning us out upon an open field, void of
" THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER II " 203
shelter, and without food, upon a night when even
the most brutal man would vAllingly bave braved a
storm to succour a stranded or lost dog. As the day-
light increased out gorge rose. The ground was
littered vAth still and exhausted forms, too weak to do
aught but groan, and absolutely unable to extricate
themselves from the pools, mud, and slush in which
they were lying. Some were rocking themselves
laboriously to and fro singing and whining, but thank-
ful that day had broken. One man had gone clean
mad and was stamping up and down, his long hair
waving wildly, hatless and coatless, bringing down the
most blood-freezing demoniacal curses upon the
authorities and upbraiding the Almighty for having cast
us adrift that night.
The sanitary arrangements upon ttfis field were of
the most barbarous character, comprising merely deep
vade open ditches which had been excavated by our-
selves. Those of us who had hot been broken by the
experience, although suffering from ex/reine weaknes,
pulled ourselves together to make an effort to save what
human flotsam and jetsam we could. But we could hot
repress a fearful curse and a tierce outburst of swearing
when we c«me to the latrine. Six poor fellows, abso-
lutely worn out, had crawled to a narrow ledge under
the brink of the bank to seek a little shelter from the
pitiless storm. There they had lain, growing weaker
and weaker, until unable to cling any longer fo their
precarious perch they had slipped into the trench
fo lie among the human excreta, urine and other filth.
They knew where they were but were so far gone
as to be unable to lift a finger on their own behalf.
Their condition, when we fished them out, to place
them upon as dry a spot as we could find, I can leave
to the imagination. I may say this was the only
occasion upon which I remember the British prisoners
giving vent to such voluble swearing as they then used,
and I consider if was justified.
In an adjacent field out heroes from Mons were
204 FOUR GERIIAN PRISONS
camped and a small party of us made our way to the
first tent. We were greeted by the R.A.M.C. Water
had been playing around their beds, but they acknow-
ledged that they had fared better because they were
protected overhead. The soldiers, however, made
light of their situation, although we learned that many
of the Tommies, from lack of accommodation, had
been compelled to spend the night in the open. Still,
as they were somewhat more inured to exposure than
ourselves, they had accepted the inevitable more
stoically, although the ravages of the night and the
absence of food among them were clearly revealed by
lheir haggard and pinched faces.
The men in the tents confessed that they had been
moved by the sounds which penetrated to their ears
froln the field in which the civilian prisoners had been
turned adrift. They immediately enquired after the
condition of our boys. Unfortunately we could not
yield much information upon this point, as we vere
still partially in ignorance of the plight of our com-
patriots. But there was no mista-ldng the depth of
the fceling of pity which went out for " the poor devils
of civvies," while the curses and.oaths which were rained
down upon the head of Major I3ach with true I3ritish
military emphasis and meaning revealed the innermost
feelings of our soldiers very convincingly.
Seeing that we were exhausted and shivering from
emptiness the R.A.M.C. ruade a diligent search for
food, but the quest was in vain. Their larder like ours
was empty. In fact the Tommies themselves were as
hard-pushed for food as ve were.
I witnessed one incident with an English Tommy
which provoked tremendous feeling when related to his
comrades. He was walking the field soaked to the
skin, perishing from cold produced by lack of food, con-
tinuously hitching in his belt to keep his " mess-tin "
quiet, and on the brink of collapse. He happened to
kick something soit. He picked the object up and
to his extreme delight found it to be a piece of black
" THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER ii " 205
bread, soaked with water, and thickly covered with
mud. He ruade his way fo the field kitchen where
there happened tobe a small tire under the cauldron
in which the rations were prepared. He slipped the
soddened bread beneath the grate fo dry it. While
he was so doing, the cook, an insignificant little bully,
came along. Learning what the soldier was doing, he
stooped down, raked out the tire, and buried the bread
among the ashes. Then laughing af his achievement
he went on his way.
The soldier, without a murmur, recovered his treasure
with difficulty. He moved out into the open, succecded
in finding a few dry sticks, lit a small tire, and placed
his bread on top of it. Again he was caught. His
warder bustled up, saw the little tire, which he scattered
with his feet, and then crunched the slnall hunk of bread
fo pieces in the mud and water with his iron heel.
The look that came over the soldier's face af this
unprovoked demonstration of heartless cruelty was
fearful, but he kept his head. " Lot' blimel" he
commented fo me when I came up and sympathised
with him over his loss, " I could bave knocked the god-
damned head off the swine and I wonder I didn't."
I may say that during the night the guard announced
an order which had been issued for the occasion--no
one was to light a tire upon the Field. Even the striking
of a match was sternly forbidden. The penalty was
fo be a bullet, the guards having been instructed fo
shoot upon the detection of an infraction of the order.
One man was declared to bave been ldlled for defying
the order intentionally or from ignorance, but of this
I cannot say anything definitely. Rumour was just
as rife and startling among us on the field as among
the millions of a humming city. But we understood
that two or three men went raving mad, several were
picked up unconscious, one Belgian committed suicide
by hanging himself with his belt, while another Bel-
gian was found dead, fo which I refer elsewhere.
At 5.30 we were lined up. We were going to get
206 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
something fo eat we were told. But when the hungry,
half-drowned souls reached the field kitchen after
waiting and shivering in their wet clothes for two and
a hall hours, if was to receive nothing more than a small
basin of the eternal lukewarm acorn coffee. We were not
even given the usual piece of black bread.
The breakfast, though nauseating, was swallowed
greeelily. But it did not satisfy " little Mary " by
any means. During my sojourn among German prisons
I often felt hungry, but this term is capable of consider-
able qualification. Yet I think on this occasion it
must have been the superlative stage of hunger. The
night upon the Field had corne upon my illness from
which I had never recovered completely. It was
a feeling such as I have never experienced before nor
since, and I do not think it can ever be approached
again.
It is difficult to describe the sensation. I walked
about xSth a wolfish startled glance, scanning the
ground eagerly, as if expecting Mother Earth fo relieve
me of my torment. The pain Sthin my stomach
was excruciating. If was not so much a faint and
empty feeling but as if a thousand devils were pulling
at my " innards " in as many different vays, and then
having stretched the organs to breaking point had
suddenly released them to permit them to fly back again
like pieces of elastic, to mix up in an inextricable tangle
which the imps then proceeded to unravel with more
force than method. My head throbbed and buzzed,
precipitating a strange dizziness whch seemed deter-
mined fo force me to my "knees. I chewed away
viciously but although the movement of the jaws
apparently gave a certain relief from illusion the
reaction merely served fo accentuate the agony do71
beloxv.
As I reeled about like a drunken man, my eyes
searching the ground diligenIly for anything in the
eating line, no marrer what it might be, I round a
piece of bread. As I clutched it in my banals I regarded
" THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER ii " 20 7
it with a strange maniacal look of childish delight.
But it was a sorry prize. It was saturated until it
could hot hold another drop of water, and I think
there was quite as inuch mud as bread. I wrung the
water out with my hands and then between two of
us we devoured it ravenously, swallowing the mud as
contentedly as the bread, and not losing a single crumb.
It was a sparse motlthful, but it was somettfing, and
it certainly stayed the awful feeling in the stomach
to a certain degree for a little while.
No man passed through that awful night without
carrying traces of his experiences. Its memories are
burned ineradicably into one's brain. Whenever we
Inentioned the episode it was always whispered as
"' The ]31oody Night of September Ilth," and as such
it is known to this day. As we became distributed
among other camps the story became noised far and
wide, until at last it became known throughout the
length and breadth of Germany. Whenever one who
spent the night upon the field mentions the incident,
he does so in hushed and awed tones.
That night was the culminating horror to a long
string of systematic brutalities and barbarities which
constituted a veritable reign of terror. It even spurred
a section of the German public to action. An enquiry,
the first and only one ever authorised by the Germans
upon their own initiative, was held to investigate the
treatment of prisoners of war at Sennelager. The
atrocities were such that no German, steeped though
he is in brutality, could credit them. "l'he Commission
certainly prosecuted its investigations very diligently,
but itis tobe feared that it gained little satisfaction.
The British prisoners resolutely agreed to relate their
experiences fo one quarter only--the authorities at
home. The result is that very little is known among
the British public concerning the treatment we experi-
enced at Sennelager, for the simple reason that but a
handful of men who were confined to the camp during
the terre of Major Bach's authority, bave been released.
208 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
The Germans have determined to permit no man to be
exchanged who can relate the details until the
terminationof the war. Their persistent and untiring,
as well as elaborate precautions to make trebly certain
that I had forgotten all about the period of travail at
Sennelager, belote I was allowed to corne home, were
amusing, and offer adequate testimony to the fear
with which the German Government dreads the light
of publicity being shed upon its Black Hole.
CHAPTER XIV
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP
ALTHOUGH Major Bach wielded his power with all the
severity and spirit of a true-blooded Prussian Jack-
in-Office, and notwithstanding that we were forbidden
all communication with the outside world, yet we were
not without our " protector."
Out guardian angel was Dr. Ascher, who was
responsible for the clean bill of health among the
cixdlian prisoners. The soldiers were under a military
surgeon, as already explained, but owing to the arbitrary
manner in which this official displayed his authority,
and with which Dr. Ascher did not agree by any means,
it was the civilian doctor who ministered for the most
part to Tommy's ills. The result was that his services
were in almost universal demand, and the strenuous
work and long hours which he expended on our behalf
were very warmly appreciated.
A short, sturdy, thick-set man, fairly fluent in the
English language, and of a cheery disposition, Dr.
Ascher was a true and ".fllu.minating representative of
his profession. His mission being frankly one of
mercy he emphatically refused to acknowledge the
frontiers of faces and tongues, poverty and wealth,
education and ignorance. He was sympathetic to an
extreme degree, and never once complained or proffered
any excuse when called urgently to exert a special
effort on behalf of any man.
He became an especial favourite among the British
prisoners. The fact that he came among us immedi-
ately upon out arrival at the camp, seeking to extend
relief to the sore, distressed, and suffering ; his cheery
o 209
210
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
and breezy conversation; and his grim thoug,h
unsuccessful efforts to secure the food which we so
urgently needed upon that occasion, were never for-
gotten. He became endeared fo one and all. Indeed
he was elevated to such a pedestal of appreciative
recognition as tobe affectionately christened " The
English Doctor," which he accepted as a signal honour.
He was no respecter of rime, neither did he emulate
his military colleague in being a clock-watcher. He
informed us that he was at our disposal at any hour of
the day or night, and he never omitted to spend hours
among us every day. Seeing that the camp possessed
no resident medical attendant, either civilian or
military, that Dr. Ascher resided near Paderborn,
some three toiles away, his readiness fo corne to out
assistance at any moment, his ceaseless efforts on our
behalf, and repeated attempts to ameliorate out
conditions, if is hot surprising that we came fo regard
him as our one friend in that accursed spot.
The British prisoners, both civilian and military,
never failed fo reciprocate whenever an opportunity
arose, and this appreciation of his labours ruade a
deep impression upon him. No attempts were ever
ruade to encroach upon his generosity and kindness,
and if any man had dared fo deceive him he would
have been drastically punished by his colleagues.
No man ever essayed to malinger or fo shirk a duty
fo which he had been allotted by the doctor. If the
doctor desired a task to be done, no marrer how
repugnant, it was shouldered lightly and cheerfully.
Indeed, there was always a manifestation of keen
eagerness among us to perform some duty as an expres-
sion of out heartfelt thanks for what he was doing
among us. Itis hot an exaggeration fo state that had it
hot been for Dr. Ascher, his perennial bonhomie and
camaraderie, his patience, and his intimate association
with us, many of the weaker British prisoners and
others would certainly have given way and have gone
under. But his infectious good spirits, his abundance
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 21I
of jokes, his inexhaustible fount of humour, and his
readiness to exchange reminiscences effectively dispelled
out gloom and relieved us fiom brooding over the
misery of out position.
Although the medical officer was charged with the
express duty of keeping the camp healthy and sanitary,
unfortunately Dr. Ascher was not an autocrat in his
department. His powers were limited, and he was for
the most part completely subservient to inilitary
decrees. Time after time he protested energetically
and determinedly upon the quantity and quality of
the food which was served out to us, and struggled
valiantly to secure more nourishing dict for invalid
prisoners than the cuisine of the camp afforded. But
his labour was always in vain ; the food which he laid
down as being essential could not be obtained, or else
Major Bach firmly refused to move a finger to get it.
As the Commandant's position was paramount, and
nothing could be done without lfis authority, Dr.
Ascher was denied a court of appeal. At times there
were some spirited breezes between Major Bach and
the medical representative, but the former invariably
had the last word. On one occasion, to which I refer
later, Dr. Ascher tackled the Commandant so fiercely
upon the sanitary arrangements of the camp, and was
so persistent and insistent upon the fulfilment of the
orders he expressed, as to compel the inexorable superior
to relent.
When a man fell iii and became too weak fo perform
an exacting task to which he had been deputed by the
tyrant, Dr. Ascher did not rail to intervene. He could
hot be deceived as to the true state of a sick man's
health and his physical incapacity. Thereupon he
would issue what was described as a " pass," which
excused the man completely from the heavy work in
hand in favour of sorae lighter duty. The doctor's
'" pass " was safe against the Commandant's savagery ;
even he, with Iris military authority, dared not over-
ride the doctor's decision. However, the British
212 FOUR GERIIAN PRISONS
prisoners were not disposed to trade upon the doctor's
good nature. They would refuse a " pass " until
necessity compelled unequivocal submission.
Dr. Ascher was also an effective buffer between a
prisoner and any soldier who was disposed to assume
an unwarrantably tyrannical attitude. If he detected
any browbeating which was undeserved he never
hesitated to bring the upstart down to his proper
position by severe reprimand, and a candid reminder
that a guard was mcrely a guard and as such was not
invested with powers akin to those belonging to the
Commandant. The soldier would fume under the
castigation, but it was more than he dared to incur
the doctor's rath and hostility, inasmuch as the
latter would not have hesitated to make the rebellious
soldier's lire unbearable. In this manner he
undeniably saved us from considerable brutality,
which some of the soldiers would dearly have loved to
have expended upon us.
One day Major Bach announced that the clothes
of the prisoners throughout the camp were to undergo
a thorough fumigation. For this purpose a special
mechanical disinfecting apparatus had been sent to
the camp. I may say that the instructions were not
issued before they became downright urgent. Some
of the garments--not those worn by the British
prisoners--had become infested with vermin to such
a degree as to constitute a plague and were now abso-
lutely repulsive. Two of the British prisoners, who
happened to be engineers, were selected for this un-
pleasant task, and it proved to be of such a trying
nature that both men narrowly escaped suffocation
in the process.
But the disinfecting apparatus was delivered in
what we always found to be the typical German
manner. The fumigator came to hand but without
the engine to drive it. Two or three days later we were
informed that there was a traction engine at Paderborn
which was fo be brought into Sennelager Camp to act
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 213
as the stationary engine fo supply power fo 4he
fumigator. But fo our dismay we learned that the
traction engine in question could hOt be driven to the
camp under its own power because some of the vital
parts constituting its internais had broken down, and
repairs would be quite out of 4he question until it
reached the camp. This we were 4old would demand
the towage of the engine over the last three toiles. We
learned, moreover, 4hat as horses were absolutely
unobtainable at any price, the prisoners themselves
would have fo drag it in. Forthwith thirty men were
selected and, equipped with thick, heavy ropes, were
marched off to Paderborn to salvage 4he derelict.
Our engineering friends, upon discovering the
defective engine, and not appreciating the prospect of
the manual haul, set fo work feverishly fo see if they
could hot contrive 4o comple4e sufficient repairs 4o
coax the engine 4o run the three toiles under her own
steam. They probed into, and tinkered with 4he dark
regions of the locomotive, but to no effect. The
defective parts demanded replacement. No doubt
4he authorities had declared the engine unfit for
service in the army, hence its appearance af Paderborn
for service at Sennelager.
We were faced with a heavy problem ; one which
would require every ounce of out combined physical
effort, which was low owing to out deplorable condition,
while the sun, heat, and dusty roads would be certain
4o 4ax our endurance to 4he utmost.
The guards bustled round, supervising the hitching
of the towing ropes, while the men were lined up like
oxen with the ropes passed over their shoulders. The
order was given and off we went. But that engine
was, or at least appeared to be, exceedingly heavy,
while the roads seemed to be exasperatingly diflïcult,
the wheels having a magnetic attraction for the sand.
Progress was maddeningly slow, and before many
minutes had passed every man was puffing and
blowing like a spent horse. A cup of acorn coffee
x4 FOUR GERIXIAN PRISONS
and a fragment of brown bread could scarcely be
declared ideal rare upon which to pursue such energy-
consuming labour. And we had three toiles to go!
We had covered about hall the distance and were
nearly done in. The ponderous, ungainly engine was
iust moving, and that vas about ail. The progress
had so fallen that the guards were becoming somewhat
alarmed and doubtless considered that if they only
badgered us sufliciently they would be able to spur us
to such a degree as to enable us to reach the camp.
While tugging for ail we were vorth we descried a
horse flying along the road at break-neck pace towards
us. As it approached we saw it was carrying Dr.
Ascher. When he drew up to us he stopped. The
guards were holding forth in their most truculent
manner at the moment. The doctor rapped out a few
words, and the guards instantly dropped their hostility
and arrogance to become as mcek as lambs. Turning
to us the doctor ordered every man to drop the ropes.
We did so and fell into line at once of our own
accord.
The doctor surveyed us, and we must have looked
miserable specimens of humanity. Our faces were
glistening with perspiration which had been pouring
out of us freely, and which, mixing with the grimy
sand which had been en'«eloping us, had formed runnels
wrought into a dld and weird variety of fantastic
designs. One or two of the weaker boys stood half-
bent as if upon the verge of dropping.
Within a few seconds the doctor had taken in the
whole situation, and saw how completely we were
played out. With a voice which cut like a knife he
ordered the guard to escort us to a wayside i_n_n. The
soldiers, thoroughly cowed, obeyed his iztstructions
silently. He strode along beside us, distracting our
thoughts by a dissertation concerning the countryside,
-hich xvas bathed in the full splendour of its autumn
garb, and x-hich certainly presented a peaceful and
entrancing aspect.
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 2i 5
Reaching the inn we seated ourselves on the balcony.
Then the doctor, turning, remarked :
"Order what you like! Don't stint yourselves
and take your rime. Now then have anything you
wish to drink ! "
If our guards had been suflïciently relenting, we
would willingly have paid them for permission to have
regaled ourselves by the way at our own expense. We
all had money. At the doctor's instructions we dived
our hands into our pockets to extract our worldly
wealth to ascertain what we could afford. The doctor
arrested our action.
'« No!" he called out, raising his hand in protest.
" Put your money back. You will have this with me.
I extended the invitation and I certainly intend to
pay for it ! "
If any man had called for cheers for the doctor I
think we should have brought the house down about
our ears. But we were so dumbfounded at this
first expression of a " white man's " action which we
had encountered in Germany, that we could not utter
a sound. We merely sat like a party of expectant
school-children ata Sunday school treat.
The doctor busied himself seeing that each man
received an adequate quantity of refreshment, and that
it was according to his fancy. I myself being an
abstainer, declined the beverage which was popular
and which was being keenly enjoyed. Observing that
I was drinking nothing he hurried over.
" Where's your beer ? "
" Sorry, doctor, but I do not take alcohol ! "
Without a word he swung on his heel, hailed the
landlord, and enquired for some home-made lemonade.
Boniface was sorry but he was unable fo oblige. But
the doctor was not tobe put off. He curtly ordered
the landlord to prepare some instantly and what is
more to the point he followed him to see that it was
brewed correctly.
After the meal he insisted that we should take a brief
216 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
test to assist its digestion, which, owing fo the weakened
condition of out organs, was no easy matter. Then,
whcn we all fer fit, we returned fo the traction engine.
You can imagine how we clustered round the doctor
thanking him for his kindness, but he would not
listen to our expressions of gratitude. Laughing good-
naturcdly, he maintained that he had done nothing
beyond what he considered to be his duty, and as we
shouldered the ropes once more, he gave us a parting
cheer.
That meal put new life into us, and we towed the
load with such gusto that we covered the second lap
of the distance in fine style. When we reached the
camp and were dismissed, the incident about the
doctor's nmnificence flashed through toits four corners
like lightning. It became the one topic of spirited
conversation. We had always voted the doctor a
jolly good fcllow, but now he was the hero of the hour.
Whcn he next came into the camp he received such a
thundcring and spontaneous ovation as to startle
him, until af last the reason for this outburst daned
upon him. But he turned it off with his characteristic
laugh and joke.
The privations which I had been suffering now began
fo assert their ill effects. I felt I was breaking up
rapidly, and in this every one concurred and grew
anxious. The doctor took me in hand, placed me on a
" pass " and at last ordered me fo lie dom in the
barrack. Two of my companions, Ca--, a breezy
Irishman who had been arrested while on his honey-
moon, and K. , undertook to look after me. As the
night advanced I rapidly grew worse, until eventually
my illness assumed such a turn, so I was informed
afterwards, as to cause my two friends the greatest
alarm. Ca went out to the guard with a message
addressed to Dr. Ascher, explaining that Mahoney was
very much worse and they feared his condition was
critical. By some means or other the message was got
through to the doctor, possibly by telephone.
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 217
It was a vile night. A terrific thunderstorm was
raging, and the tain was falling in torrents. After
dispatching their message my two friends resumed
their vigil beside my bed, hoping against hope that
Dr. Ascher would call early the following morning.
About midnight the inad galloping of a horse was
heard faintly above the wail of the wind and the fusil-
lade of the mad downpour upon out hollow-sounding
roof. The sounds drev nearer to stop outside out
barrack door. A hurried conversation was heard,
and the next moment, to the surprise of my two
friends, the door opened to admit Dr. Ascher. The
rain was pouring off him in tiny rivulets and he cheerily
confessed that he vas soaked to the skin. But he
pooh-poohed the idea that he had taken too much
trouble. A fellow-creature was in peril and he could
hot, as a doctor, resist the call which had been sent.
He stayed with me some tilne, told my companions
exactly what to do, and then went out again into the
rainstorm with the parting intimation that he would
return within a few hours, and would arrange for my
instant transference to the hospital.
At six he was back again. By this rime I lad
recovered from my delirium and felt somewhat better,
although exceedingly weak. He chatted with me, told
me I was far worse than I either looked or felt, and
insisted upon my going into hospital. I demurred,
as I preferred tobe among my chums. But he was
hot tobe gainsaid, and so I had reluctantly tobe carried
into bed. He came to see me ffequently during the
day, and even went so far as to assume the responsibility
of telegraphing to Berlin demanding my instant
release as my demise seemed very probable. But
this request was curtly refused, mainly, so I discovered
afterwards, because I was imprisoned upon the charge
of espionage. The circumstance that this charge vas
still hanging over my head came as an ugly eye-opener
fo me. I thought from my transference from Wesel
to Sennelager that I had been acquitted of this accusa-
218
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
tion. Of course I had never received any official
intimation fo this effect, but on the other hand I had
never received a sentence. This revelation worried
me somewhat sorely because I could see possibilities
about which I scarcely dared to think, as well as
complications untold looming ahead.
I must have been in a very precarious condition the
previous night because a member of a well-known
British family who had been interned at Sennelager,
but who secured his release about this time, very
kindly sought out one of my relatives upon his return
home, fo whom he communicated particulars con-
cerning my illness and serious condition. He hesitated
fo notify my wife directly, preferring fo leave it to my
relative to convey the unwelcome news in the manner
considered to be the most advisable. For this kindly
action, of which I was apprised after my transference
from Sennelager, I have ever been extremely thankful,
but up to the present I have successfully evaded all
the most insidious attempts made by my German
captors to secure my premature decease by under-
mining my health.
Before leaving me in hospital for the night Dr.
Ascher paid me a final visit to make positive that I
was comfortable. But that one night's sojourn in the
hospital almost completely unnerved me. I could
not sleep, and to my alarm I round that no one ever
came in to take even a cursory glance at the patients.
I got up in the darkness and went to the door. To
my astonishment I round it to be locked ! I turned
to one cot. It contained a French invalid who was
iabbering away excitedly to himself, but I could hot
understand a single xvord. I turned to the next bed and
its occupant was half-delirious. With such depressing
company around me I tumbled back into bed and went
off to sleep again somehow. In the morning I learned
that there were three intercommunicating wards.
The two inner ones were reserved for patients, upon
wholn the key was turned at night, while the third
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 219
and outer room was occupied b3 a night warder who
turned in and slept the sleep of the just, although he
was nominally in charge of critical cases. But this
was immaterial. If the patient went under during
the night fo be found dead in bed in the morningmwell !
if was merely a case of Nature having had her own way.
I was so alarmed that the instant the hospital was
opened I hurried back fo my barrack. Dr. Ascher,
upon reaching the hospital and noting my absence,
wondered what had happened, until af last he found
me resting in my bunk. I resolutely told him that
under no circumstances would I spend arlother night
in that hospital. I had my own way. The crisis had
passed, and if I only took care of myself I would soon
be out again, he said.
Having always led an active life, confinement to bed
in utter loneliness during the day, except for a call
now and again from a sympathetic colleague, soon
began fo pall. So I dressed and went out fo discover
Dr. Ascher. He did hOt upbraid me for so flagrantly
disobeying his orders, as I had been anticipating, but
exhorted me with all the powers of persuasion he could
command, fo take the utmost care of myself. In order
fo give me something fo occupy my mind he attached
me fo a few other invalids, who were also on " pass,"
to light work in cleaning out the hospitals for the
recruits who were evidently coming to Sennelager
vithin the near future.
Cleaning hospitals might be officially described as
light work, but it was far from being so, although this
was hot the fault of the doctor but of our far from
amiable Commandant. The tables, beds, chairs and
other portable fixtures had fo be taken into the open
air to receive a thorouh scrubbing with water and soft
soap. XVe were given buckets, and were compelled
fo walk some distance to drav supplies of vater from
the pump, fo which place we also had fo repair fo throw
away the dirty liquid, so that we were assured of an
exacting load upon both journeys.
220 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
The guard supervising us in this work was a despic-
able young cub. He was short and stubby. By the
way I must rclate that this individual illustrated one
of the weird turns of the Wheel of Fortune as revealed
by the war. I have already referred to F.-- K,
who had accompanied me from \Vesel prison to Selme-
lager. \Vhat was F- K's amazement to
discover, upon entering the camp, that this man, who
formed one of the guards, had been one of his own
van-men before the war. It was a remarkable instance
of the reversal of positions. The erstwhile van-man
was now the top-dog and he did not hesitate to extract
cndless amuscment and delight from ordering the
prisoners, among whom was his former employer, to
despicable duties and harassing them right and left.
I had one bout with this impertinent little bounder
which I do not think he will ever forger. It was the
rcsult of exasperation and was precipitated upon the
spur of the moment with subsequent disastrous results.
I was carrying a bucket of water back to the pump
fo throw away and to secure a fresh supply. As I
approached the pump, which was near an adjoining
ficld, and over the fence of which some young girls
were leaning talking to the sentry, I saw that they
were having some fun at my expense. I resented
this laughter and merriment, more particularly as I
was feeling very seedy.
The guard, to parade his assumed authority before
the girls, drew himself to the full height of his fifty-
four inches or thereabouts, threw out his chest, and as
I was about to empty the bucket, roared in stentorian
tones :
"' Take that back again !"
" But I ara going to fill the bucket with clean
water ! " I protested.
" Did you hear what I said ? I told you to take it
back again!" to which he added an afterthought
which I did not understand, but which induced the
girls to burst out laughing afresh with mad glee.
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 221
I ignored his instructions and was about to turn
out the dirty contents. My retaper somewhat rufftcd
by illness and now very hasty was rising rapidly, le
moved forward and thundered :--
" Cannot you obey orders ? Take it back again,
I tell you ! "
I picked up the bucket as if to comply and stepped
back a pace or two. Then lifting it up I shouted back,
" I'll see you damned first !"
With these words I hurled the contents over him.
The water was filthy. It caught him full in the face
and smothered him from head to foot.
He was so surprised at this unexpected sequel to his
arrogant ortier that he merely stood still, spluttering
and cursing. Then he grabbed his rifle. At the saine
moment I threw the bucket itself at him, catching him
a nasty blow on the shoulder. The girls who had been
laughing at me now chaffed the discomfited sentry
unmercifully. Foaming with rage and swearing
terribly he lowered his rifle to run me through with
the bayonet.
It was madness to argue with a bayonet in the
hands of an infuriated German sentry. I turned and
fled. Being long of leg, rhin, and agile, I ran with the
swiftness of a hare while my pursuer being short-legged
and thick-set came trundling after me like a cart-horse.
I tore towards the hospital, vaulted over the chairs
and tables, and darted in and out, vith the sentry,
now beginning to blow hard from his unusual exertion,
hot on my trail. In my mari rush I upset some of my
companions, but they, instantly guessing something
unusual was afoot as they caught sight of my flying
coat-tails and the heavy-footed soldier chasing me, at
once entered into the spirit of the fun.
L- , out humorist, was one of the party. Jump-
ing on a table he commenced to yell frantically :
" Sennelager Derby ! What's the odds ? Twenty
to one on Mahoney ! Go it, Tubby ! Christopher, but
you'll never stay the course ! "
222 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
The cries were taken up by the other fellows and
excitement grew furious, which only served to exasper-
ate my pursuer still more.
I was flying for dear lire. I knew very well, if that
sentry got within bayonet reach of me, that my days
were ended. He was seeing red with a vengeance.
Round the hospital, over the tables and chairs, I
dashed as if bercft. I was looking for the doctor. I
had long since learned that in the event of a disagree-
ment with a sentry it was wise tobe first beside the
ears of authority and to relate the incident. The first
version, whether from guard or prisoner, was almost
certain to be believed.
Once as I came tearing round the hospital calling
for one of the mcdical officers, L---- and lais coin-
panions, now emulating the frenzied language and
manners of racecourse frequenters, and forming field
glasses with their hands, were bawling at the tops of
their voices.
" Tattenham Corner ! Hooray ! Mahoney wins ! "
At that moment I ran full tilt, hot into Dr. Ascher
as I had hoped, but against a young military doctor.
I almost upset him in this spirited desperate obstacle
race.
" What's the matter now ? " he asked in surprise.
As this young doctor had always proved to be a
decent fellow I stopped and related my story. He
listened very attentively.
" You had no business to do that ! " he commented.
" You should bave obeyed the order and then have
reported it to me or some other oflScer tobe redressed."
" Well, he just about maddened me to the limit !"
" No matter ! It may be a serious thing for you.
You shouldn't bave thrown the dirty water over him.
You've insulted the uniform ! "
By this time my pursuer had arrived. He was
puffmg heavily and his legs were bent. He could not
have run another hundred yards even if a dozen battle-
maddened Kilties had been after him. Catching sight
THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 223
of the doctor he pulled himself fo " attention " as well
as he could. I had fo turn away fo laugh. He pre-
sented the most ludicrous specimen of a German
soldier that I have ever witnessed. His face was as
red as a beet-root from his exertion, his eyes were wide
open, while his mouth was fully agape. He could hot
utter a word as he had lost his breath, while being
soddened from head to foot he was commencing to
steam merrily.
Vhen he had partially recovered his composure he
related his version of the story in a meek tone, no
doubt hoping to excite pity. But I noticed that the
young medical officer had to bite his moustache to
maintain a straight face and I think this practically
saved the situation.
" Who gave you permission fo give orders to
prisoners ? " asked the officer severely.
The sentry's dismay at the officer rounding upon
him was so complete that he could hot venture an
answer.
" Don't let if occur again or I'll report you ! " con-
tinued the doctor sternly. " Don't you know your
duty is to obey orders and not to give them !" he
thundered with an effort. The sentry dismissed so
unceremoniously slunk away miserably and absolutely
crestfallen.
When the soldier had gone the officer turned upon
me and lectured me severely, though sympathetically,
upon the enormity of my offence. X,ile he was
speaking, Dr. Ascher sauntered up and the incidentwas
related to him. Turning to me with a gravity which I
could see was assumed, he remarked :
"' Mahoney, if you get up to such tricks again you'll
get into serious trouble. You must never forget the
uniform !"
As I turned to resume work I noticed the two medical
men having a hearty silent laugh over the vhole affair,
the younger man graphically describing the blown
sentry and race as he had seen it.
224 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
But Dr. Ascher did not let the matter rest there.
tIe reported the sentry for exceeding his orders, which
was a serious offence because it affected the doctor's
discipline over prisoners who were under his charge
at the hospitals. All the reward and consolation the
insolent cub received for his parade of assumed
authority bcfore his audience of girls was change fo
anothcr duty, coupled with severe reprimand. Through
Dr. Ascher's intervention the sentry was deprived of
all opportunity to snatch a revenge upon me. Such
actions, however, were characteristic of Dr. Ascher.
It was his love of fair-play which endeared him to
every Britisher in the camp. \Vhenever one of us left
Sennclagcr there was no man from whom to part was
such a wrench as Dr. Aschcr. We all grew to like and
admire him to such a degree that it seemed tobe
parting from a very dear and old friend when we shook
hands in Iarewell with him.
CHAPTER XV
THE AFTERMATH OF THE ELEVENTH
As the day of the I2th advanced without bringing any
signs of official intentions to improve our accommoda-
tion upon " the field," several of us decided to do the
only thing possible--to help ourselves. It was per-
fectly evident that we were not to be taken back to
barracks, even for the time being, while it was equally
apparent that no tents were going to be set up for us.
Also it was quite possible that we should be exposed
to another /earful storm, because the season was
advancing. Consequently it was just as well that we
should improvise some kind of shelter over out heads.
The issue was where to discover the materials, since
the authorities were not disposed to extend us any
assistance whatever.
The more energetic among us set to work without
delay. My South African friend, Moresby White, and
myself unearthed one or two poles lying forlorn and
forgotten among the grass and slush. We secured
these, set them up, and over them stretched our
blankets, the improvised dwelling thus obtained being
a crude kind of wigwam. Others built little domiciles
somewhat reminiscent of an Eskimo igloo, and in this
field of endeavour I may say, striking ingenuity and
resourcefulness were displayed.
My friend and I had scarcely finished our dwelling
when along came some officiais. They saw what we
had done, and then declared that we had taken Govern-
ment material, in the form of the neglected poles, to
which we had no manner of right. Forthwith they
demolished the shelter. Intensely disgusted at this
226
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
turn of events we had another look round for further
material and obtained some tree branches. We
fashioned these to form the skeleton of a hut. The
guard hurried up and ordered us to take if down. For
a second rime our labour was in vain, but we were
grimly pcrsevering and so ran up a third shelter. This
shared the self-same rate because we had committed
a heinous breach of some one or other official regulation
of which we knew nothing.
As we surveyed the ruins of out third attempt fo
raise something over our heads my South African
friend became exasperated. It was merely official
spire which had provoked the destruction of our little
homes. He gritted his teeth and gave full vent fo his
innermost feelings which were by no means compli-
mentary to our German oppressors.
" I'm damned if we don't build something fo which
they cannot take exception," blurted my companion.
I concurred, but a survey of the field for materials
proving abortive we became somewhat glum. Then
I suddenly hit on an idea which I explained. We
would build a mud or turf hut. It would take a little
rime but surely they would hot knock that to pieces!
We foraged round and happened upon a spade.
With this we cut the sods and built a small square-
shaped domicile into which we were able fo crawl. We
made it sufficiently large, hot only to accommodate
out two sclves but for the reception of company if
necessary. It was not a masterpiece by any means,
while the interior had the rank aroma of newly-turned
earth, but it was preferable to facing the elements,
should they decide to be against us once more. Other
workers in the camp, who had been foiled similarly in
their efforts to fashion a home from poles and sticks,
emulated out example. Consequently within a short
space of rime, diminutive huts, some recalling large
beehives, were rising ail over the field like mushrooms.
There was keen rivalry in the embellishment of
these crude homes. Upon completing ours I decided
THE AFTERMATH 227
upon a " Tradesmen's Entrance " and carved this out,
together with a winding approach, the entrance being
flanked by two mounds on one of which I planted a
small flag improvised from a piece of cardboard which
I unearthed. Directly I had set up the little flag I
fell foul of authority. The hated emblem was torn up
by an officious sentry whom it enraged.
These mud huts were speedily christened with high-
falutin names. There were '" Sans Souci " villa and
the "' Haven of Rest " and others equally wildly and
inappropriately named. But we considered this an
excellent chance " to wax sarcastic," and we let
ourselves go, although I do not think that our task-
masters, being by nature dense, grasped the purport
of our humour. Our residence rejoiced in the
unpretentious designation of " Camera Villa,"
If the authorities had gleaned
an inlding of the circumstance that this mud hut
harboured an incriminating eye they would have
spared no effort to discover it, while I as the
unfortunate owner--well ! I do not know what would
have happened to me for such a flagrant breach of
oncial regulations.
It also seemed as if the authorities were going to
deprive us of food. At all events noon passed without
any sign of dinner. In the afternoon, however, we
were informed that we were to receive the mid-day
meal, but must go to the cook-house to get it. That
was a mileaway !
At two o'clock we were lined up, the British at the
extreme rear as usual, and marched off. Upon reach-
ing the kitchen we were alarmed to learn that there
were insufficient basins. Several would have to use
the one utensil successively, and, needless to say,
without being washed after each use. Apart from
this repulsive method of feeding us as if we were dogs,
the rime occupied in getting one's ration proved
maddening. After one had swallowed the thin cabbage
228 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
soup hastily, one had fo advance and ioin the group
comprising those who had been served. The result
was that by the rime the last of the British prisoners
had been supplied some three hours had passed. Yet
this was the first meal which some of the men had
received for three days! I may say that one felt far
flore satisfied after swallowing the noisome greasy wash.
In the evening, while working upon our hut fo
impart the finishing touches speedily, because tain was
falling, I stumbled across three of the disgraced and
disfigured fishcrmcn. "fhey were alone and forlorn.
"fhey had no hut and did not know what would happen
if another wet night swept over them. One happened
to be the skippcr of one of the trawlers which had been
sunk and he vehcmcntly denie¢t the charge that they
had bcen guilty of laying or sweeping mines. They
were attending to their trawls when they were surprised
and captured.
The skipper was an intercsting, typical sea-dog from
lhe waters of the North Sea, and a thorough God-
fearing man. He related a story which ruade out
blood boil. He said his two companions and himself
were summoned by the guards at rnid-day, and instead
of receiving the dinner ration had been taken to a
cox'erëd hand-cart. The guard told them fo push it,
and af the saine time handed them shovels and picks.
Under escort they dragged this mysterious load, which
was carefully covered xvith a tarpaulin, for about three
toiles to a very lonely spot. At last they came to a
deep hole. They were compelled fo back the cart fo
the brink of the pit, and were then curtly bidden to
tip it sharply.
To the utter amazement of the skipper and his two
colleagues the action of tipping the cart shot into the
hole, with considerable force, the corpse of a Belgian.
He was dumped into the hole in this rough and ready
manner, head first, and to the disgust of the Britishers
the body was clothed merely in a shirt ! They were
then commanded to refill the hole. Thus, without
THE AFTERMATH 229
the slightest burial ceremony, with a brutality which
would hot have been shown to a dog, and without
the slightest expression of regret, save one of silence
from the three Britishers, the unknown Belgian was
consigned to an unknown grave. Who the Belgian
was, or how he came by his death, no one ever knew,
but it is surmised that he died from exposure upon the
tield during the night of the ilth.
These three tishermen being friendless and homeless,
my chum and I decided to see what we could do for
them. We proposed to attach a lean-to shelter to
out but. Poles were driven into the ground, and to
these horizontal members were attached, the latter
having the inner ends sunk into out walls. For the
roof we used out blankets. It was a primitive shelter,
but it protected the three men from the tain which
again broke over us and for this expression of
camaraderie they were extremely grateful.
Out transference to the tield provoked the most
spirited bout we had ever witnessed between the
Commandant and Dr. Ascher. The doctor could do
nothing towards securing us shelters: that was
exclusively a matter for Major Bach to decide. But
he had control over the sanitary arrangements, and
he condemned these unequivocally. The stench rising
from the open latrines which swept over the tield was
indescribable. Dr. Ascher flew into a tierce temper
over the shortcomings and detestable arrangements,
which he maintained to be a serious menace to the
health of the camp. We strove desperately to escape
the horrible effluvium, but it could not be avoided
unless we buried out heads. Dr. Ascher, by taking up
a firm stand, had his way on this occasion, although
the nature of the improvement I think caused him to
despair of securing the proper amelioration of the
conditions. The military authorities did not appear
to know even the rudiments of sanitary science, which,
as I round for myself, are ever indescribably crude away
from the show towns which are patronised by tourists.
23o FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
I had been hoping that I would be able to shake off
my illness. But it was hot to be. The exposure
and thorough soaking which I had on the terrible
night of the i lth completely undid all the benefits I
had received from Dr. Ascher's attention and treat-
ment. I cracked up suddenly. The doctor, seeing
how badiy things were going with me, gave me a
" pass " excusing me from all work.
But to me it was obvious that to remain on the field
was to die from starvation, especially bearing in mind
my precarious health. Yet to get out of the field was
no easy matter. I pondered fretfully over this issue,
and at last resolved to attempt a desperate solution.
I marched boldly to the gare, waved an old, long-
since expired " pass " and shouted to the sentry that
I had to go to the doctor's office immediately. Taken
unawares the guard opened the gate thout scanning
the '" pass " and I walked on to the main road leading
to the barracks in which we had lived previously.
The little extra exertion demanded to pass the sentry
thout creating any suspicions in his mind now told
on me. Once I had passed out of his sight the reaction
set in, and I fell into a clockwork pace. I was deter-
mined to fulfil my mission at all hazards, so plodded
along slowly. I could see nothing, and heeded nothingj
being only conscious of the fact that I was going to
get something to eat and to bring food back for my
stranded companions on the field. Soon everything
seemed to grow darker and darker, then came perfect
blackness. I remembered no more.
XWnen I came to my senses I round myself being borne
carefully by two fellow-prisoners--Ca and a chum
--to the hospital. I was put to bed, and looking round
I saw that I was su_rrounded by twenty-five other
patients. One and all had dropped down from sheer
exhaustion upon the field during the " Bloody Night,"
and had been round by the guard in the mOrlling in
an unconscious condition. I heard that there were
seventy such cases brought in--all cau»ed by exposllre
THE AFTERMATH 231
and the tain. I cannot testify fo that number, but I
can swear fo the twenty-five cases because I saw them
in the hospital lying in the ward with me. They were
then in a terrible plight, hot having recovered from
the racking ordeal.
Presently a military doctor came in. I had never
seen him before. He approached my cot.
" Civilian or military ? " he asked.
" Civilian ! " I replied.
'" Ach ! " and there was intense disgust and unveiled
hostility in his voice. " Get up! Outside!"
" But he has been brought in unconscious !" persisted
Ca.
"' Ach ! No matter. Get up. Outside ! " he
repeated.
" I'll see you damned first !" exploded Ca--, his
Irish retaper now roused fo bursting point at the
inhuman attitude of the military medical official.
Fortunately for my friend the individual in question
did hot understand a word of English, or there would
bave been trouble.
But feeling somewhat better and realising the use-
lessness of argument I persuaded Ca-- fo obey
instructions. Indeed I was bundled out of bed, and
hastily assisted in re-dressing, by the doctor's orders.
Passing out of the hospital I paused to lean against the
door, feeling downright ill and weak. Ca.--tan
off to the barrack to fetch Dr. Ascher.
A young medical man came out of the hospital,
and seeing my wan and haggard face, came up to me.
He was certainly sympathetic
" Heavens, man! You look downright ill!" was
his comment.
" I reckon I don't look worse than I feel ! " I repled
caustically. " l've just been tttrned out of the
hospital. What is going fo happen ? "
«, Oh! You've got to go to Paderborn. You'll
go into hospital there. The van will be up in three
hours' rime !"
232 FOUR GER!IAN PRISONS
Ai this intelligcnce I sank on a wooden seat. I
felt, and indced could no longer ward off, the belief
that cverything for me was rapidly approaching the
end. As I sat there a prey fo my worst thoughts, a
soldier came out of the hospital and sat beside me.
I looked up.
"Hullo! old man! From Mons?" I asked.
"Yes! Going to Paderborn. Says l'in sick,"
nodding towards the hospital. The Tommy certainly
looked as if the doctor had diagnosed a case correctly
for once in his lire.
'" What's the marrer ? "
" Don't know for sure. But I heard the doctor
whisper fo an assistant that if was typhus ! "
Despite Iny efforts fo control Inyself I could hot
suppress a low whistle. I looked af the soldier, and
although iny first inclination was fo inove away, I
fclt that, owing fo Iny condition, if really didn't Inatter,
so I spared the Toininy's feelings. In a few Ininutes
another soldier caine out. He sat on the other side
of Ine.
" Hullo! You froin Morts too ? You going to
Paderborn ? " was Iny query.
" Sure ! Doctor says l've got typhus ! "
This was alarining news, and I could not resist a
feeling of extreine apprehension. Whfle I was turning
things over in my Inind a third soldier caine out whom
I questioned, but he did not reply.
" He was blinded by a shell af Mons," coininented
one of the soldiers. "' Guess he's got if too. 'Strewth,
isn't this a hell of a hole ? I'd sooner have fifty
Mons's for a month than this hell for a day ! "
I certainly shared the opinion. But as I sat there I
reflected upon the liinited carrying capacity of the
Paderborn hospital van, and the circumstance that I
was likely fo be crushed in with a host of typhus cases
I did not like the prospect a little bit. I Inade up Iny
Inind. I would hot go fo Paderborn af any cost.
Proffering a palpable excuse I sauntered away,
THE AFTERMATH 233
finally entering the office in which the files of the
registration of the British military prisoners were
being prepared. A young German who in pre-war
days had been a baker in Battersea, was in charge.
I told him I was sick, but enquired, if receiving the
requisite permission from the doctor, he would allow
me fo help him in the office. He agreed. I sought
out Dr. Ascher, explained that I had been consigned
to Paderborn, but refused fo go, and explained that
I had the offer fo go into the office if he would certify
me for such work. After a little deliberation he
acquiesced, and I took up the appointment with the
result I have explained in a previous chapter. After
a good night's test I felt decidedly better. I returned
fo the field, only fo find that my companions had
experienced no improvement in their conditions, and
that food was just as scarce as if had been since we were
turned out of our barracks. I was successful in getting
a little food fo them, while another prisoner, now in
England, sent up a little.
Strolling across the field I met a fellow-prisoner,
Lord J's secretary. He looked so ill that I
suggested he should take my place in the office, as I
was now feeling much better. He refused at first,
but af last I prevailed upon him to go. He would get
a well-earned test at all events, while the work was light
and easy. The exchange of clerks was effected and
vith such success that the German in charge never
detected the swop, which proves how imperfectly I
had been scrutinised, and the laxity of the arrange-
ments when you bave learned how to circumvent the
pit-falls and red-tape of Prussian organisation.
I was now back upon the field. One night the
officers came round bawling out a request for the
names of all prisoners who had friends in Germany.
Seeing that this question, together with a host of
others, had been asked nearly every day, while sheets
of papers were filled up af intervals of every few hours
with a bewildering array of particulars, I ignored the
234 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
interrogation. But one or two fellow-prisoners re-
called the fact that K , upon his release, had
invited me to corne to his home in Cologne if I ever got
the chance. At ftrst I declined to listen to the recom-
mendations, but finally, in response to the incessant
pesterings, I consenteà. Then the matter slipped
from my mind.
The following morning my attention was arrested
by the guard going round the camp singing at the top
of his voice, " Ma-hone-i ! Ma-hone-i ! "
Surprised, and fearing that trouble was brewing
because I had not gone to Paderborn as ordered by
the military doctor, I presented myself. I was com-
manded fo attend the office at once.
I sauntered off leisurely, and reaching the building,
I supplied the officer in charge with my name and
a host of other minute details as requested. Then
turning to me, and holding a paper in Iris hands, he
remarked
" Herr Ma-hone-i! You are a free man!"
" \Vhat ? " I yapped, scarcely believing I had heard
aright, "A free man ? " I almost cried àth j oy at
the news. " Free to go home to England ? " I asked
excitedly.
"Nein! Nein!! Nein!!! But youhave Iriends
in Germany ? "
My jaw dropped. I thought for a few minutes,
and then I replied slowly, "" Yes! l'Il go provided
I do hot have fo give my parole. That I will never
cio ! "
He glared Iuriously af me.
" But that is as good as saying you'll try fo escape,"
he went on.
"' Exactly! " was my curt retort, and I looked at
him defiantly.
The officer informed me that under these circum-
stances I should be kept back, but af this moment
Dr. Ascher, who had been listening fo the conversation,
intervened, and as a result of his mediation I was told
THE AFTERMATH 235
that I was free to go fo Cologne, saying which a" pass "
permitting me to travel fo, and to move about that
city, was proffered. I took the " pass."
" You've ten minute½ to coilect your belongings and
fo get out of the camp ! " was his final abrupt remark.
Although I pleaded for a little longer time in wtfich fo
say fareweil to my friends he was inexorable.
I rushed back to the field to communicate the news
to my companions, and the hand-shaking which ensued
was extremely fervent. All the boys congratulated
me upon my good luck, but the tears were in their
eyes. The sympathy moved me, and I felt half-
disposed to tear up my " pass " and stay with them fo
see it through. But they pushed me off. I had a
hearty hand-shaking with Dr. Ascher, who wished me
the best of luck, and expressed the hope that I woud
soon get home. Although he never admitted it I
found out for a fact that he had been primarily
responsible for my release. It certairdy was charac-
teristic of bi_m. He cracked a parting j oke, which
restored the good humour and cheerfulness of the camp,
and with my few parcels tmder my arm I left the ill-
famed field.
The boys cheered like mad, but I was stirred more
particularly by the roar of cheers which burst from the
Tommies, with whom I had fraternised freely, and with
whom a curious chumminess had sprung up. We were
all companions in misfortune, and when the news of
my release reached their field, they clustered along the
fence to give me a parting rouser, which they certairdy
let go for ail they were worth.
I regained the office within the stipulated ten
minutes and then to my intense disgust learned that I
had three hours to wait for a train. I sold my watch
fo secure a little ready money, and as I moved across
the camps to be abruptly challenged by the sentries
I was surprised to see them change their demeanour
when I showed my "' pass." They shook hands
heartily and warmly congratulaIed me upon my good
236 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
fortune. It was a strange metamorphosis and if
affected me strangely.
Before I left the camp I was ushered into the presence
of our arch-fiend, Major Bach. He rose from his desk
and with a suavity and civility which ruade my blood
surge, he remarked :
" Herr Mahoney, good-bye! I trust you will not
think our treatment in the camp has been unduly
severe ! "
" I shall certainly not speak well of if," I retorted
somcwhat cynically. " I shall never forger my experi-
cnces and I shall not omit to relate it to others. But
thcre ! I think my looks are sufficient. I must have
lost thrce stone in weight during the past two months ! "
" Wcll, I trust you will make allowances," he went
on unctuously. " You must remember the rimes;
that we are at war, and that our arrangements have
not bcen organised for adequate accommodation!"
He extended his hand.
Shaking my head in a manner which he could not
misunderstand I refused to take it.
He shrugged his shoulders and resumed his work. I
left his office without another word.
Two nfinutes later I was striding rapidly towards
the station, accompanied by another prisoner, a school-
master named E , who had also been released on a
" pass " and whom I have to thank for much assistance
subsequently offered.
At last I was free Irom the torment and brutality of
Sennelager Camp. But as I watched the incoming
train on that morning of September 6th, 94, I
could not refrain from dwelling upon the lot of the
many hapless friends I had left behind, the agonies,
miseries, the hopelessness of their position, and their
condemnation to unremitting brutal travail which
would doubtless continue until the clash of arms had
died away. As Sennelager vanished from sight my
companion and I gave deep sighs of relief. We felt
that we had left Hell behind.
PRISON THREEKLINGELPUTZ
CHAPTER XVI
FREE ON " PASS " IN COLOGNE
il was two o'clock in the afternoon when I saw the
last of Sennelager Camp as the train swung round a
curve which blotted the Avernus over which Major
Bach reigned supreme from sight ii hot from memory.
The train in which we were travelling, of course, vas
wholly occupied by Germans. I round it impossible
to secure a seat owing to the crowded character of the
carriages, and as misfortune would bave it I was
compelled to stand until I reached my destination.
Naturally being thrown among so many of the
enemy I was regarded with a strange interest by my
fellow-travellers. They could see I was hot a German,
and although they did hOt resort to any provocative
word or deed, it would bave needed a blind man to
bave gailed to detect their uncompromising hostility
towards me. We travelled via Soest, and my position
was rendered additionally unnerving because train
after train labdled with the flaming Red Cross thun-
dered by, bearing their heavy loads of the German
battered and maimed from the battlefields. It was
easy to see that the number of the train-loads of
wounded was exercising a peculiar effect upon the
passengers, for was not this heavy toll of war and the
crushed and bleeding flower of the German army
coming from the front where the British were so severely
mauling the invincible military machine of Europe and
disputing effectively their locust-like advance over the
fair fields of Belgium and Northern France ? Is it
surprising under the circumstances that they glowered
237
238 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
and frowned ai me in a disconcerting and menacing
manner ?
As the hours rolled by I began fo feel fainter and
hungrier. I had had nothing since the usual cup of
acorn coffee ai seven in the morning. Although I
became so weak that I felt as if I must drop, I buoyed
up my flagging-,spirits and drooping body by the
thought that I should soon meet and enjoy the company
of K. But I was aboard a fourth-class train and
it appeared to be grimly determined to set up a new
record for slow-travelling even for Germany. The
result was that I did hot reach Cologne, or K61n, as
the Germans have if, until one o'clock the following
morning, having stood on my feet for eleven hours and
without a bite to eat.
I fell rather than stepped from the train and turned
out of the station. Again my spirits sank. The city
was wrapped in a darkness which could be felt. There
was not a glimmer of light to be seen anywhere. To
pick one's way through a strange city in a strange land
and dthout more than a bare smattering of the
language under conditions of inky blac -kness was surely
the supreme ordeal. At every few steps I blundered
against a soldier with his loaded rifle and fixed bayonet,
ready to lunge at anything and everything which, to a
highly strung German military mind, appeared to
assume a tangible form in the intense blackness.
Since my return home I have experienced some striking
specimens of British darkened towns, but they do not
compare with the complete dar'kness which prevailed
in Cologne that night. Not a single faint gleam of
light came flore a window. I am confident that if I
had dared to strike a match I should have been
surprised by a volley of bullets from ail directions.
Cologne was indeed a city of darkness and of the
dead. Only the footfalls of the guard and the clank of
rifles were to be heard. To proceed was impossible.
I concluded that belote I had gone very far in my
'anderings I should be arrested and find myself in the
Facsimile of tlle Pass issued by lhe German authorities to the
author on his leaving Sennelager for C6h-on-lhein.
[Face page
FREE ON " PASS" IN COLOGNE 239
privacy of a prison cell. Moreover I was absolutely
exhausted. Sore af heart I returned to the station,
and walking up to the first officer I saw, introduced
myself as '" Mahoney, l«te of Sennelager Camp."
At this revelation the officer stared as if confronted
by an apparition and sternly demanded my authority
for being af large. I drew out my " pass," together
with the address of K. , for which I was searching
so vainly.
Thrusting my " pass " into his pocket the oficer
gruffly ordered me fo follow him. I demanded the
return of the small piece cf paper which constituted
my sole protection, but ke rudely declined fo accede
fo my request. I followed him and we turned into a
room at the station which happened fo be the sleeping
quarters of the night guard.
Here I was again interrogated somewhat sharply,
but taking the bull by the horns I boldly declared that
I was an Englishman and had been arrested and
imprisoned upon the charge of being a spy !
My candid statement amazed the officer, who ap-
peared fo consider that he had ruade a most fortunate
capture. An interpreter, who understood only a little
English, was summoned fo my assistance, and we con-
trived fo understand one another. He was visibly
impressed by my distressed and sickly appearance and
enquired if I were in need of something fo eat. I said
I was famished and he explained the situation fo the
officer. The upshot was that a few of those present
gave me some bread and cold rice, which I devoured
ravenously.
I was handed over fo a guard who was instructed to
take me--somewhere ? We set out through the dark
streets, and if was an eerie journey. Sentries were
stationed at intervals of a few yards and in crossing
the bridge we were frequently stopped and hot per-
mitted fo proceed until my guardian, although in
uniform and armed, had given the password. In due
course we reached a toweïing building which I dis-
24 ° FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
covered fo be the Polizei Prasidium. Here I was
handed over to the official in charge, my military guard
evidently explaining the whole circumstances.
The official scrutinised me closely. Bidding me to
follow him he again plunged into the darkness. After
taking me to the address of
duced, and finding no one
restaurant. The proprietor
to take me in for the night.
K- , which I had pro-
there, he led me to a
was roused and ordered
XVhen he learned that I
was an Englishinan on " pass " he commenced to
swear and curse in a fearful manner, finally declaring
he would not shelter any such swine in his bouse.
The ofiïcial had a short way with this individual. He
drew his sword, drove the awakened and enraged
German into his restaurant, and in atone wtfich could
not be misconstrued demanded that accommodation
and meals should be round for me. The threatening
attitude of the oflîcer completely cowed the proprietor,
but I, fearing that the latter would round on me once
I ,,'as at his mercy, intimated to the guard that I was
hot going to spend the night in this hotel.
There was a brief altercation, but at last we returned
to the Prasidium. Here I intimated that I was per-
fectly willing to sleep upon the floor of the guard-room,
but the oncial explained that this was a flagrant
breach of the rules and the idea could not be enter-
tained for a moment. We haggled for a few minutes
and then a solution of the distracting problem occurred
to the officer. He would lodge me for the night in a
cell! I accepted the suggestion with alacrity and
thereupon passed below where I made myself com-
fortable, the official assisting me as much as he could.
It seemed as if I had only just dropped off to sleep
when I was rudely awakened. It was six o'clock
when prisoners had to be roused, and although I was
nota prisoner, but had slept in the cell from my own
choice, I had to conform with the regulations. I was
turned out into the street, without a bite of food,
needless to say, to kick my heels about for some two
FREE ON " PASS" IN COLOGNE 241
hours until the business offices opened. I seized the
opportunity to have a shave and hair-cut as well as a
thorough wash and brush up.
About 8.3o I presented myself at my friend's office
To my surprise he responded to my ring himself and
at once introduced me to his wife, who had corne into
the city with him that morning. I was warmly
greeted but my thin and wan appearance affected
them, especially Mrs. K I then discovered why
I had failed to rouse him in the early hours of the
morning when accompanied by the oflïcer from the
police station. He did not live in Cologne but in a
pretty and quiet little residential village overlooking
the Rhine some three mlles out.
Taking pity upon me they insisted that I should at
once proceed to their home, but belote this could be
done certain formalities demanded attention. My
" pass " was only applicable to the city of Cologne and
did not embrace the outlying places. We had to
return to the police headquarters, corresponding to out
Scotland Yard, for this purpose. Here my papers
were turned out and subjected to the usual severe
scrutiny, while I myself was riddled with questions.
At last, through the good offices of K , who was
well-known to the officiais, I received permission to
proceed to his residence. This necessitated out being
accompanied to his home by two detectives who
furthermore were to see that I received the necessary
local '" pass " for the villa in question.
Notwithstanding the depressing company of the
detectives I thorougtfly enjoyed that ride along the
banks of the Rhine. It was a glorious morning and
the countryside was at the height of its alluring
autumnal beauty. Reaching the village I was taken
before the Burgomeister, a pompous individual, to
undergo another searching cross-questioning, but
ultimately the" pass " was granted. At the saine time
my " pass " for Cologne was withdrawn. I had either
to live, move, and have my being in one place or the
242 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
other--not bothmand was not fo be permitted to
travcl between the two places.
I must digress a moment to explain one feature of
Gcrman administration and the much vaunted Teuton
organisation, which is nothing more nor less than a
huge joke, although if is unfortunately quite devoid of
humour for the luctdess victim. In times of war,
Germany is subdivided into districts, each of which
reccives the specific number of an Army Corps. Thus
thcre is Army Corps No. I, Army Corps No. 2, and so
on. It is just as if, under similar exigencies, the
namcs of the counties in Great Britain were abandoned
for the rime bcing in favour of a military designation,
Middlesex thus becoming Army Corps No. I, Surrey
No. 2, and so on, the counties being numbered
consecutively.
Each Army Corps bas ifs commanding oflîcer and he
bas absolute control over the territory assigned fo
him, the movement of its inhabitants, strangers and
visitors. But the strange and humorous fact about
the whole system is that each commanding oflïcer is
a little autocrat and extremely jealous of Iris colleague
in the adjacent Army Corps. The commander of
Army Corps No. I issues a "" pass " which entitles you
fo more about freely in his district.
Vqaen Major Bach presented me with my " pass,"
he gravely warned me always to bave it upon my
person, to show it upon demand, but never to allow
it out of my possession even for a minute, and if it
should be taken for inspection to insist upon its return
at once. He assured me that the mere production of
the ";pass" and the signature would permit me to go
wherever I liked, and to move fo and fro throughout
Germany. I firmly believed his statement until I
received my first rude shock to the contrary. As a
final warning he stated that if I happened to be stopped
by a soldier or anyone else and had not my " pass "
with me, I should find myself in an extremely serious
position. Naturally I hung on fo that little piece ot
FREE ON " PASS " IN COLOGNE 243
paper as tenaciously as if it had been a million pound
bank-note.
The Commanding Officer of an Army Corps always
iterates this little speech, I discovered. Naturally you
leave the official, completely relieved, thinking yourself
virtually free. But the moment you cross the bound-
ary into another Army Corps you are held up. The
official demands fo know why you are walking about
a free man. You flourish the " pass" signed by
"A " in triumph, and with a chortle, point to the
signature. The official scans the " pass," shakes his
head sagely, and with a curt " Corne with me!"
orders you to follow him. You protest energetically,
and point to the signature. He shakes his head
emphatically as he growls " No ! No ! " and continues,
referring to the owner of the signature on your " pass,"
"' we know nothing about him! You must see my
Commanding Officer." Reaching this official, who
regards you as a criminal who has escaped, you suddenly
learn that the '" pass " is not a passport for your move-
ment through Germany, but is valid only for the Army
Corps in which it was issued t
Consignment fo prison is the inevitable sequel.
You may protest until you are black in the face, but
it makes no difference. The papers which you signed
day after day until you became sick at the sight of
them, but which were necessary to secure your first
" pass," commence their lengthy and tedious trip
through the German Circumlocution Office, the trip
occupying weeks. During this time you are kept in
prison and treated as if you were a common felon,
until af last, everything being declared to be in order,
you receive a new "' pass "for the Army Corps in which
you have been arrested. The moment you venture
into another Army Corps, even if you return into
that from which you were first released, arrest follows
and the whole exasperating rigmarole has to be repeated.
The Army Corps are as arbitrarily defined as anything
fo be round in tape-tied Germany.
244 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
I do not think that such a wildly humorous feature of
organisation to compare with this is to be round in any
other part of the world. Had if not been for the
deliberate misleading, or to term it more accurately,
unblushig lying, upon the part of the respective com-
manding officers of the respective Army Corps, the
British tourists who happened to be in Germany when
war broke out would bave got home safely. Being
ignorant of German manners, customs, and military
idiosyncrasies, and placing a blind faith in German
assertion and scraps of paper, the unfortunate travellers
fcll into the trap which undoubtedly had been prepared
to meet such conditions.
The British tourists who were caught in eastern
Germany, after their first arrest and release upon one
of these despicable and fraudulent passes, being
reassured by the intimation that they were free to go
where they pleased, naturally thought they would be
able to hurry home, and straightaway moved towards
the coast. But directly they entered the adjacent
Army Corps they suffered arrest and imprisonment
until their papers were declared to be in order to permit
another " pass " tobe issue& Thus it went on, the
tourists being successively held up, delayed, and
released. Under these conditions progress to the coast
was exasperatingly slow, and finally was summarily
prevented by the drastic order of the German Govern-
ment demanding the internment of every Britisher in
the country. It was this senseless and ridiculous
manifestation of German scientific organisation gone
mad which contributed to the congested nature of
the civilian internment camps in the country, and one
cannot resist the conclusion that the practice was
brought into force with the deliberate intention of
hindering the return of Britishers who happened to be
in the country when war was declared.
At the peaceful residence of my friend overlooldng
the Rhine, of the full beauties of which I still cherish
a vivid and warm appreciation, I mended very rapidly.
FREE ON " PASS" IN COLOGNE 245
To Mr. and Mrs. K-- I owe a debt of gratitude which
I shall never be able to repay. I entered their home
half-starved, extremely weak, and practically at
death's door, but under the careful nursing and
unremitting attention of Mrs. K-- and her husband I
speedily recovered. I had been suffering considerable
mental worry, having received news that my wife at
home was seriously ill, but
I received aletter, the first since I had left
home on August Ist, which communicated the glad
tidings that she had completely recovered her health.
The receipt of that letter banished all anxiety and
fretfulness from my mind. Indeed at the end of a
month I felt capable of tempting rate upon my own
initiative once more. I felt that I was encroaching
upon the generosity and hospitality of my newly-found
friends, and this feeling commenced to harass me.
One morning I expressed to K--- my intention to
go into Cologne to look for work. He endeavoured to
dissuade me, pointing out that my " pass" would hot
permit me to move beyond the limits of the little
village, but I was not tobe gainsaid. I felt I could hot
show sufficient appreciation for what they had done on
my behalf, or discharge the debt of obligation which I
owed to them.
I started off one morning, full of hope and energy,
determined to get a job at all hazards. But that
search for work proved to be the most heart-breaking
quest I have ever attempted. I realised that my
limited knowledge of German would bowl me out.
All that I knew I had picked up colloquially while
interned at Sennelager, and although it was adequate
to enable me fo hold a general conversation, if was
hopelessly insufficient for commercial purposes. Con-
sequently I decided to pretend tobe deaf and dumb.
I entered every shop in the main thoroughfare of
Cologne in succession. I was ready and willing fo
accept any position, irrespective of its character. I
blundered into an undertaker's premises, which I
246 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
subsequently learned fo be the largest firm in this line
in the city, and patronised by the tank and fashion
of Cologne. I endeavoured to explain the object of
my visit to the proprietor by mimicking nail-hammering
and pointing to a coflïn. He invited me into his inner
office where, to my alarm, I descried an officer's uniform
hanging behind the door, and evidently belonging to
the proprietor who was about to join the colours. I
decided to make myself scarce with all speed, but I
had to act warily to avoid suspicion.
The proprietor trotted out an elaborate catalogue.
I Ie thought I had corne to order a coffln! Being
arrayed in a frock coat and somewhat burnished up,
I suppose I had the appearance of a possible customer.
I had led him to believe that I could hot speak, but
now I assured him that my real infirmity was very
acute stammering. I glanced through the catalogue
carefully so as fo arouse no suspicions, to alight upon
a specimen of the handicraft which cost I,OOO marks
--£5o--and with apparent effort stuttered that I
would consult my brother upon the marrer. I left
the shop with my heart in my mouth, but gaining the
street in safety, I put as great a distance between the
shop and myself as I could.
I offered my services indiscriminately fo a boot-
maker, grocer, confectioner--in fact I can scarcely
recall what trade I did not strive to enter, but always
in vain. Finally I entered a fashionable haildresser's
establishment. By signs and with considerable labour
I finally ruade my mission -known, and at last ascer-
tained that an assistant was required, and I cofld
present myself the following morning. I went off
treading on air, absolutely delighted with my success.
In fact I was so elated as fo omit to notice that this
shop was in one of the three streets forming a triangle
and an island in a "Y" formed by the two mmn
thoroughfares.
The next mo.rning I returned to the city with my
solitary razor in my pocket--I had been instructed
FREE ON "PASS" IN COLOGNE 247
to bring my own kit. I entered the shop but was
decidedly puzzled at the sight of strange faces. This
I attributed to the rush which was prevailing having
brought men to the front whom I had hot seen the day
belote. I proffered my razor to explain that I had
corne to start work as arranged. The assistant took
it, and told me it would be ready on the following
morning. He thought I wanted it to be ground and
set! Not being able to make myself understood I
went outside, looked at the facia, and round I had gone
to the wrong address. The shop for which I had been
engaged was on the other side of the triangle. I
hurried in, to be reccived with a scowl by the proprietor,
who pointed significantly to the clock to intimate that
I was very late.
However, the proprietor donned his bat and coat
and took me to another shop in a distant part of the
city. It was one of his branches. I was to be employed
here, but I knew no more about hair-dressing than
about the fourth dimension. Still I thought I could
fulfil the rôle of lather-boy very effectively.
To my consternation, after lathering one or two
customers, I was ordered to complete the shaving
operation. My heart thumped because I wondered
how the unfortunate German client would fare in my
unskilled hands. Bracing myself up I completed the
task without a hitch, although I do not think the
customer looked any better after I had finished with
him than he did before.
But the succeeding customer encountered disaster.
The razor made a slip, inflicting a terrible gash in the
man's ear.
Pandemonium was let loose. The blood spurted
out, smothering my shirt cuff. The customer raved
and swore like a Fury, while the manager, losing his
head, dashed up with a handful of powdered alum
which he strove to apply to the wound, but ruade a
sorry mess of the effort, because it fell in a shower
over the customer's immaculate clothes, causing him
0-48 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
to present the appearance which would have ensued
had he fouled a bag of flour. I surveyed the scene
of the disaster for a few seconds, but observing the
customer fo be absorbing the complete attention of the
manager I unconcernedly invited the next customer to
take the chair, which he politely declined.
In the course of a few minutes an unsuspecting
individual entered and took the empty seat. I
lathered him well, and picked up a razor. But my
hand was now exceedinly unsteady. I caught a glimpse
of my soiled shirt cuff and decided fo incur no further
risks. I seized my hat and bolted from the shop.
In my haste I inadvertently infringed another
rigid regulation--I boarded a tram-car in motion.
For this misdemeanour I was rated severely by the
conductor. But as I emphasised my deaf and dumb
infirmity he ceased, doubtless feeling that his energy
was being wasted. To my consternation a friend of
mine boarded this car, which was proceeding toward
his home, and he at once commenced a conversation.
I was on my guard, and by a surreptitious whisper, I
told him of my deaf and dumb subterfuge. ,Vhen we
reached out destination I related my adventure,
revealing my soiled and blood-stained shirt cuff as
corroboration. As I described the incident he burst
into uncontrollable laughter, but then his face becalne
grave. He felt convinced that a complaint would be
lodged, and that investigation would follow. If I
were detected in the street trouble would ensue, so he
urged me to return to my new home and fo lie low for
a few days to permit things to blow over.
Another day I was alighting from a train, when I
heard a voice calling quietly but firmly, " Mein Herr !
Mein Herr!" There was no mistaking the tones.
They were so palpably official as not to raise a moment's
doubting. I refrained from looking round, proceeding
as if I had not heard the hail, although I did not quicken
my step. But the " Mein Herr !" continued to ring
out persistently, and at last the speaker touched me on
FREE ON " PASS" IN COLOGNE 249
the arm. I turned and, as I had anticipated, was
confronted by an officer.
He demanded to know why I was walking about
Cologne. He saw that I was a Britisher and so
responded to the call of his inquisitorial duty. I
produced my " pass " without a word of comment.
He looked at it and gave me a queer glance, but I
never turned a hair, and while he was looking at me I
calmly withdrew the " pass " from his hands and
slipped if into my pocket.
At this action there was an excited outburst, but I
firmly and resolutely told him that I could not surrendcr
my " pass." I had been told fo keep it at all hazards,
and I intended to do so. If was my sole protection.
Not being able to dispute the truth of my assertions,
he merely told me fo corne with him. I did not like
the turn of events but had to obey. He stopped short
before a box, possibly a telephone, outside which a
sentry was standing. He said something fo the sentry,
told me to wait outside, and disappeared within the box.
I waited patiently for a few minutes, thinking hard
to discover some ruse to get away, but retaining a
perfectly calm and collected demeanour. If I moved
I feared the sentry would raise the alarm. Yet as I
stood there it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps
the sentry, with typical Teuton denseness of thought,
might consider that I was a friend of the officer, and
that I was only waiting for him. I glanced anxiously
up and down the street, listened at the box, and
fidgeted with papers as if fearing that I should miss an
appointment unless my friend soon reappeared.
The sentry appeared fo consider my actions quite
natural. Emboldened I withdrew a piece of paper from
my pocket and hurriedly scribbled, as if jotting down
a hurried note. But I knew little German and far
less how to write if. After finishing the note I slipped
it into the sentry's hand, telling him fo take it to my
friend the officer in the box.
He laughed "Ja! Ja!" and I moved off to the
250 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
train which was just starting in the direction I desired.
I have often wondered what happened when the ofiïcer
came out and discovered that I had vanished! The
sentry must have experienced a rough rive minutes,
because the ofiïcer could hot have been mollified by
what I had written, which was simply the two words
" Guten Tag ! " (Good-day
I dismissed the incident from my mind but the
following night I received a terrible fright. I had
promised some friends fo accompany them to the
Opera. We boarded a car. As I entered the vehicle
I nearly sank through the floor. There, sitting on
the seat, was the oflàcer whom I had left so abruptly
and discourteously the previous day. In a low voice
I related my alarming discovery to my companions,
but urged them to proceed as if nothing had happened,
so they maintained a spirited conversation in German,
discreetly monopolising all the talking. The ofiàcer
was glaring at me fiercely but I saw that he was in a
quandary. To him my face was familiar but he was
cudgelling his brains as to where he had seen me
before. His inability fo place me proved my salva-
tion. When we got up, both my companions and
myself wished him " Good-night," fo which he re-
sponded cheerfully. Whatever his thoughts concern-
ing myself might have been, my " Good-night " com-
pletely removed all his suspicions.
About three weeks after my arrival af Cologne,
K and I were surprised to hear familiar voices in
the hall of his home. We came out and fo out astonish-
ment there were two Iellow-prisoners from Sennelager.
They were R, a British bank manager, and F,
both of whom af the rime of writing are still languishing
in Ruhleben. They had been granted liberty on a
" pass," having mentioned K's naine. He was
delighted they had accepted his outstanding invitation
and gave them a hearty welcome.
But before we could settle down, K had to
accompany the two new arrivals fo the village Burger-
FREE ON " PASS ' IN COI.OGNE 251
Po|iz¢lli¢.M Bu,ord«rttn
52 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
meister's office to secure permission for their residence
in his home. K and this official were on fl'iendly
terres, but I could not restrain a smile when the
official, with a slight trace of waspishness in his voice,
enquired if it was K's intention fo establish a
British colony in the village ? I might mention that
withîn a stone's throw of K's home was a large
Iactory where a number of Germans were employed,
which was managed by three Englishmen. It was a
highly prosperous and flourishing business and, the
three managers living in the village, it certainly did
seem as if the little place were to become colonised.
On the night of November 6th, while we were ail
making merry aIter the evening meal, there came a
peremptory knocking at the door. We looked atone
another wonderingly and out hearts fell into out boots
as we heard an ominous tramping of feet in the hall.
Two police officers entercd the room and called out
our names. We answered affirmatively.
" Gentlemen You will accompany us to Cologne ! "
At the pronouncement we blanched. We knew only
too well what the imperative summons conveyed. We
u,ere under arrest .t
EHAPTER XVII
RE-IMPRISONED AT KLINGELPUTZ
Mv friend, being a well-known commercial man of
Cologne, was acquainted with the two gendarmes. He
recognised the Iutility of attempting to run against
the decree of the Powers-that-Be, together with the
Iact that these two officers were only doing their duty.
He invited them fo eat and drink. They accepted the
favour, our good spirits revived, and we inIormally
discussed the new situation and its portent.
The two ocers, not wishing fo hurt K's Ieelings
more than was absolutely necessary, and residing in
the vicinity, suggested that they should meet us af a
certain point at a given rime fo escort us into Cologne.
The appointment being settled to mutual satisfaction
they departed and we at once busied ourselves with
preparations for another sojourn in prison, which we
considered to be our certain Iate. Our hostess packed
a huge reserve of dainties of all descriptions sufficient
to last us several days, by which time we fondly
concluded that any formalities demanded by the
authorities would be completed, and we should once
more be allowed to go free on " passes."
We kept the appointment with the two oflïcers who,
out of respect for our host, had discarded their uniforms
for mufti. Consequently, to the casual man in the
street, we appeared to be only a little party going into
the city for a mild j unketing.
We were told that the oflîcial fiat had gone forth
that all Britishers within the German Empire, both
resident and touring, were to be arrested. Ail sorts
of reasons were advanced to explain this action but
they were merely speculative. There is one feature
254 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
about the Teuton Government which is far from being
characteristic of the British authorities. The Germans
never do things by halves. \Vhat they authorise to
be done is carried out to the letter. \Vhat they say
they mean and there is no delay in executing an order
once it is issued. The Teuton system may have short-
comings but hesitation and vacillation cannot be
numbered among thcm. Directly the order concern-
ing the re-arrest of the British was issued, extreme
activity was displayed in carrçdng it out. Possibly it
was a mere temporary measure, as K half hoped,
but that was immaterial. Every alien was rounded
up within a few hours and placed safely under lock
and key.
\Ve were not kept in doubt as to our future for many
minutes. \Ve learned af the Polizei Prasidium that
we were fo be immured in Klingelputz prison. Many
of out number were gathered there, having once been
released on " pass," and from the circumstance that
they were business men in practice and residence in
Germany the confident belief prevailed that after
re-registration all would be released. But we were
speedily disappointed. All of us without the slightest
discrimination were placed under restraint.
Directly we entered Klingelputz and had passed into
the main building I could not restrain my curiosity.
This penitentiary was vastly dissimilar from Wesel.
It is a huge building not only covering a considerable
tract of ground, but is several floors in height, thus
providing cell accommodation for hundreds of prisoners.
But it was the method of securing the prisoners
which compelled my instant attention. Ahead of me
I saw what I first took to be an iron-railed barrier
behind which a number of men were crowding as if
to catch a glimpse of us. But to my astonishment I
discovered, as I advanced, that this was hot an iron
barrier keeping back a curiosity-provoked crowd but the
cells and their inmates. I was startled fo hear frantic
hails, " Mahoney ! Mahoney ! Hooray 1 Corne on ! "
RE-IMPRISONED AT KLUNGELPUTZ 255
I stepped forward to ascertain that I was being called
by two or three compatriots whom I had left behind
af Sennelager, but who had afterwards been released
on " pass " and re-rounded up as aliens. I returued
the greeting hilariously, upon which one of the British
prisoners, who was remarkably agile, swarmed the
bars, and poised thus above his comrades, was emu-
lating the strange and amusing antics of a monkey at
the Zoological Gardens, thereby conveyiug by his
actions that he and his friends were caged after the
manner of out simian prizes af home.
The cells were indeed cages, as I discovered upon
closer inspection, and recalled nothing so much as
parrot cages upon a large scale. Ail sides were barred
in the self-same manner so that from any point one
could see every corner of the cell and discover what
the inmate or rather inmates were doing, because each
cell was really six cells in one. The cage was rectan-
gular in plan, each cell measuring about seven feet in
lenh by three feet in width, and fairly high. But it was
the internal arrangement of the cell which struck me.
In plan it was set out something like the following :--
256 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
The middle gangway A hot only served as the
approach to the sub-divisions or cells B on either side,
but also constituted the space occupied by the prisoners
during the day. Each of the subdivisions was large
enough fo receive a bed and nothing else. There was
only sufficient space to stand beside the couch. Upon
retiring for the night the prisoner was compeHed to
disrobe in the central space or gangway A, then,
picking up his clothes he had to sidle round the door
and climb over his bed fo get into if. In the morning,
upon rising, he either had to stand upon his bed to
dress or fo corne out into the central gangway, the
space beside his bed being scarcely sufficient to permit
free movement.
Normally, I suppose, each cell or cage is designed to
receive six prisoners, one to each sub-division, in
which event circulation in the dividing open space
would be possible. But the facilities of Klingelputz
were so taxed at the rime that every morning further
prisoners were brought from the masonry cells below
and locked in this open space for the day. The result
vas considerable overcrowding, there being no fewer
than twenty-six men in one of the cages including sorne
of out fellow-countrymen from Sennalager upon the
day I entered. But the men from the latter carnp
happened tobe some of the most irrepressible spirits
among us. They considered it tobe huge fun to s4_ng
and climb about the bars like monkeys, and their
quaint antics and badinage kept their comrades
buoyant.
While I ruade application tobe put in one of these
extraordinary cells, merely fo experience the novelty,
my four comrades expressed their sincere hope that
we should meet with superior accommodation. In
ihis we were hot disappointed, if the quarters to which
we were taken were capable of being called superior.
We were escorted down flights of steps which appeared
to lead to the very bowels of the State hotel. Finallv
we were ushered into a long ubterranean apartmen{,
RE-IMPRISONED AT KLINGELPUTZ z57
which was really a cellar, and was evidently intended
to house rive prisoners at one rime, seeing that there
were this number of beds. Except for the fact that
it was a cellar and very little light penetrated its walls,
little fault could be round with if. Certainly it was
scrupulously clean, for which we were devoutly thank-
ful, while on the table an oil-lamp was burning.
Lire af Klingelputz would have been tolerable but
for one thing--the prison rare. At six o'clock we were
served with a basin of acorn coffee and a small piece of
black bread for breakfast. Af twelve we were treated
to a small dole of skilly, the most execrable food I have
ever tasted even in a German prison camp. It was
skilly in the fullest sense of the word. Whatever
entered into ifs composition must have been used
most sparingly; its nutritive value was absolutely
negligible. At rive in the afternoon we received
another basin of the acorn coffee together with a small
piece of black bread, and this had to keep us going for
the next thirteen hours.
Fortunately the food which we had brought with us
served as a valuable supplement to that provided by
the State. It hot only kept us alive but enabled us
to maintain our condition. The old fellow who was
out gaoler was tractable; indeed he was somevhat
apologetic for having fo look after such estimable
gentlemen, an attitude which was doubtless due to the
fact that he knew we should look airer him! We
endeavoured to sec if he could supply a little more
" liberty and fresh air " but the old warder shook lais
head sorrovdully.
R
258 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
Lights had to bc extinguished by nine o'clock, and
it was the evening which taxed our endurance. We
had to wlfile away the hours as best we could. First
we improvised an Indian band, using our basins as
tom-toms and siaaging the lnost weird music. As a
variety we dressed up in our blankets to resemble Red
Indians and indulged in blood-curdling war-dances.
Such measures for passing the rime may sound
cxtremcly childish to readers, but it must be remem-
bered that there was nothing else for us to do unless
we were content to sit down vith our chins in out hands,
with the corners of our mouths drooping, and our faces
wearing the expression of undertakers' mutes. Had
we not participated in the admittedly infantile amuse-
ments we should have gone mad.
When we had demolished out food reserves and were
utterly dependent upon the prison diet, we speedily
began to betray signs of our captivity and deprivations.
Wë petitioned for permission to purchase food from
outside but tlfis met with a curt refusal. Eventually
the prison authorities relented and we were permitted
to purchase our mid-day meal from a restaurant, for
which privilege by the way we were mulcted very
heavily.
During the day we were permitted to stretch our
limbs in the exercise yard for about fifteen minutes.
No steel-bound rules and regulations such as I had
experienced at Wesel prevailed here. We were Iree to
intermingle and to converse as we pleased. This
relaxation was keenly anticipated and enjoyed because
it gave us the opportunity to exchange reminiscences.
We learned enough during this brief period to provide
material for further topics of conversation. This,
RE-IIIPRISONED AT KLINGELPUTZ 259
however, was the experience of our party. Others
fared worse and were shut up in single cells in which,
a» I had previously done at Wesel, they were compelled
to pace.
We only shared the large underground cell together
at night because of its sleeping accommodation. We
were shut in separate cells during the day, which
prevented interchange of conversation and inter-
amusement during the day except in the exercise yard.
But solitary confinement was rare, and in the majority
of cases we learned that the aliens were placed in small
parties of four or rive in a single cell. After a few days
our party was swelled by rive new arrivals from different
parts of Germany. We were a cosmopolitan crowd,
comprising every strata of society, from wealthy men
down to stable lads. One boisterous spirit, a Cockney,
confessed far and wide that he had once suffered
imprisonment at home for horse-stealing, and he did
not care a rap for anything or anybody. He was
always bubbling over with exuberant merriment and
was one of those who can project every situation into
its relative humorous perspective. Another prisoner
was an Englishman who had been resident in Germany
for twenty-five years, and at the rime of his arrest
occupied a very prominent position in one of the fore-
most banking institutions.
This man felt his humiliation acutely. He paced
his cell from morning to night, peevish and nervous,
brooding deeply over what he considered to be an
atrocity. He was a well-known man and on intimate
terres with many of the foremost members of the
Government and of the Services. He wrote to every
man whom he thought capable of exerting powerful
and irresistible influence upon his behalf, but without
any tangible results. The fact that this man, appar-
ently more Teuton, from his long residence and asso-
ciations in the country, than British, had been thrown
into prison brought home to us the thorough manner
in which the Germans carried out their task of placing
260 FOUR GERiAN PRISONS
all aliens in safety. It was immaterial how prominent
the position of the Britisher, his wealth, or his indis-
pensability to the concern with which he was identified.
Into prison he went when the general rounding up of
enemies order w,s promulgated.
The Cockney who had been imprisoned for horse-
stealing badgered this superior fellow-prisoner unmerci-
fully. He was incessantly dwelling upon the man's
descent from a position of comfort and ease to" quod "
as he termed it. He would go up to the prisoner,
pacing the exercise yard, and slapping him on the back
would yap :
" Now then, old sport ! Don't get so down in the
mouth about it l"
The prisoner would venture some snappy retort.
" All right, Cocky I Cikey, you'd look mighty fine
stuck up against a wall with hall a dozen bloomin'
Prussian rifles looking at yer. Blime if I don't believe
you'd dodge the bullets by caving-in at the knees ! "
A tierce look would be the response to such torment.
" Gawd's trewth I My fretful bumble-bee, I'd write
to old Tight-Whiskers about it if I was you. Get 'ira
to corne an' bail yer out 1"
At first we wondered who the personality so irrever-
ently described as " Tight-X,'niskers " was, but
subsequently we were enlightened. He was referring
fo Von Tirpitz, '" Th' bloke wot looks arter th' Germin
Navy I "
When the Cckney, who appeared to be downright
proud of his ability to keep his " pecker up," found
banter to be unproductive, he vould assume a tone of
extreme sympathetic feeling, but this was so obviously
unreal as to be more productive of laughter than his
outspoken sallies.
Once a week there vas a sight from which, after my
first experience, I was always glad to escape. On this
day the prisoners were taken into the exercise yard to
meet their wives and children. On these occasions
when supplies of food were brought in, some very
RE-IMPRISONED AT KLINGELPUI'Z 2i
heart-rending scenes were witnessed, the little toddlers
clinging to their fathers' coat-tails and childishly
urging them fo corne home, while the women's eyes
were wet and red.
The sanitary arrangements in Klingelputz were on
a level xvith those of other prisons. Two commodes,
with ill-fitting lids, sufficed for ten men, and in the
underground apartment to which we were condemned,
and of which the ventilation was very indifferent, the
conditions became nauseating. To make matters
worse the vile prison food precipitated an epidemic
of acute diarrhoea and sickness, so that the atmosphere
within the limited space became so unbearable as to
provoke the facetious Cockney to declare that " 'e
could cut if with a knife," while he expressed his
resolve «, to ask th' gaoler for a nail fo drive into if "
to serve as a peg for his clothes! But if was no
laughing matter, and we all grew apprehensive of being
stricken down with some fearful malady brought on
simply and purely by the prim,itive sanitary arrange-
ments. Only once a day were the utensils subjected
to a perfunctory cleansing, a job which was carried
out by the criminals incarcerated in the prison.
These criminals would do anything for us. The
first night they tapped at the door to our cellar, and,
peeping through the cracks, we saw a number of these
degraded specimens of German humanity in their
night attire. They had heard who we were and begged
for a cigarette. We passed two or three through the
key-hole. The moment a cigarette got through there
was a fearful clin in the fight for its possession,
culminating in a terrific crashing. The gaoler had
appeared upon the scene! Quietness reigned for a
few minutes, when they would stealthily return and
whisper all sorts of yarns concerning the reasons for
their imprisonment in order fo wheedle further cigar-
ettes from us.
We were '" clinked" in Klingelputz, as the Cockney
expressed it, on November 6, 1914, and were kept in
262 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
a state of terrible suspense. At last one morning the
prison officiais entered and called out the name of the
three managers of the large works af the village in
which K resided, who had been imprisoned vith
us. My friend a,d I naturaily expected that their
order for release had arrived, and we waited expectantly
for their return to congratulate them, since their
release would be a happy augury for us. They returned
shortly, laden vith bulky parcels of food which had
been sent to them, and we all sat down to a Gargantuan
spread. But we had scarcely started the meal when the
gaoler entered and calling our names, ordered us to
follow him fo the office. Here we had to answer to
our names once more. Then the Governor, in a
sonorous voice, went on"
" Gentlemen! You are free men. Passes 411 be
re-issued to you, but you will have to go fo the Polizei
Prasidium to bave the reqfisite papers prepared."
At this intelligence we became 41dly excited.
K. had been anticipating such a development,
but the process of deciding the issue had been protracted
from the slow pace and roundabout journey which
such matters have to take through the German Circum-
locution Office. We started off to the Prasidium,
escorted, strange, to say, by the two officials who had
arrested us at K's residence, and vith whom my
friend was now conversing gaily. As we passed the
cages the English boys caught sight of me, and there
were frantic yeils of congratulation and good vishes
upon out good fortune.
Reaching the Prasidium ve were ushered into an
outer room, the two officials proceecling into an inner
room armed with out papers. X,qaile we were waiting
K turned fo me and remarked
" I hope they'll get us fixed up joily quickly. Those
two officers told me that to-morrow ail aliens are to
be sent from Klingelputz fo the internment camp af
Ruhleben. If we get out 'passes' we shall dodge
that excursion very neatly I "
RE-IMPRISONED AT KLINGELPUTZ 263
While we were talking the two officiais came out and
hurriedly left the building. They did not glance at
us, and flore their bearing I surmised that something
had gone wrong at the last minute. I turned to my
ffiend.
" Did you notice those fellows' faces ? They looked
pretty solemn, l'Il bet you something's in the wind,
and it won't be to our advantage."
At that moment we were summoned into the inner
office. The official called out our names, to which we
answered, mine being the last.
" Ach ! Ma-hone-i ! " he exclaimed, " Englische
Spion! Eh?"
I acknowledged the accusation. Although I was
fully accustomed to the repetition of these words by
now, since they were hurled at 1ne at every turn, they
were beginning to become somewhat irksome. Upon
each occasion when the interrogation was flung out
for the first rime by a new official, it was delivered with
a strange and j arring i erk.
" Well, you were to be ffee on 'passes,' but the
papers are hot in order. They have been sent from the
wrong place. They should have corne flore Coblentz.
So they will have to be returned to be dispatched
through the correct channel !"
How we cursed that German Circumlocution Office
and this latest expression of Teuton organisation.
The papers were correct, but because they had happened
to corne from the wrong office they were to be sent
back to be re-dispatched flore Coblentz, although
they would not sufler the slightest alteration or addition
in the process. Prussian red-tape was going crazy
with a vengeance.
We were escorted to a cell in the basement of the
Prasidium. Were we going to be kept here until the
papers came to hand again ? However, seeing that
the trip would take some days, this was scarcely likely
unless something extraordinary supervened. While
we were discussing this latest and totally unexpected
264 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
dénouement we heard the low rumbling of heavy
wheels. K. cocked lais ears with an acute
tension.
" Hark ! " he blurted out. " Damn it all, Mahoney,
that's the 'Black Maria l' We are going back to
Klingelputz or somewhere else !"
It was indeed the Teuton " Black Maria," and we
were hurried upstairs to be tumbled into it. It was
a dismal vehicle, there being barely sufficient space to
accommodate out party, which had been further
cncumbcred by two German demi-mondaines, who had
been arrested for some infraction of the German law
as it affected their peculiar interests. We were so
tightly packed that we had to stand sideways, and I
amused myself by wor-king out the allowance of air
space per person. It averaged about fourteen cubic
inches !
We rumbled into the courtyard at Klingelputz,
dejected and somewhat ill of temper at out disappoint-
ment. We were vorrying because apparently the
alien prisoners were to be dispatched to Ruhleben on
the morrow. Unless we received out " passes " in
rime the chances vere a thousand to one that we
should be doomed to the self-saine camp.
As we re-entered the prison we were greeted with a
deafening yell. It came from the caged British
prisoners.
" Hullo, boys! What cheer, Mahoney! " they
shrieked. " Have they dished you again ? Thought
you were going home ? Well, we're mighty pleased to
see you back at the 'Zoo'! " and there was another
wild exhibition of simian acrobatics upon the bars
for out especial amusement.
But I had become so inured to the juggling tactics
of Prussian Offlcialdom that I was far from showing
my inner feelings of chagrin. I entered into their
banter as energetically, and with a parting " See you
to-morrow, boys!" vanished down thc steps with
their frantic hails ringing in my ears.
RE-IMPRISONED AT KLINGELPUTZ 265
The following morning we were marshalled, and as
K had been dreading, the worst had happened.
We were consigned "" t3ritish Prisoners of War for
internment at Ruhlebenl" Home was now farther
from me than ever !
PRISON FOURRUHLEBEN
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE
I r was 4.30 in the morning of November 12 when the
blare of the bugle echoed through the long, dreary
passages of Klingelputz Prison. To the British
prisoners--in Iact fo ail the aliens--that crash was of
fearful inport.
We wcre commanded fo parade at 5 a.m. in one of
the long uppcr corridors flanked on either side by cells.
We were Iormed in a double line, and as our names were
callcd we had to step Iorward. The roll-call was
bawled out, not once, but hall a dozen rimes to make
positive if had been read correctly. Then we were
counted, also some halI-a-dozen times, to assure the
totals tallying.
These preliminaries completed, preparations for out
transference fo Ruhleben were hurried forward. We
packed up our belongings, together with all the food
upon which we could place out hands, and re-lined up.
Under a strong guard we were marched to Cologne
station. On the way, several of us, anxious fo com-
municate with our friends and relatives, notifying
them of out new address, dropped post-cards into the
roadway. The idea was to attract the attention of
the guards to them, and then by bribe to induce them
to place them in the post. But the officers were too
eagle-eyed. They evidently anticipated such a ruse
and accordingly kept the soldiers under severe
surveillance. One soldier who picked up a post-card,
which I had dropped in this manner, was caught in
the act and received a terrifying rating on the spot.
266
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE 267
Thus we who dropped the cards had fo rely upon the
tender mercies and good-natured feeling of whoever
chanced to pick them up to slip them into the post,
but I fear very few were dispatched.
We were huddled into the train at Cologne, but it
was not until 8.30 that we steamed out of the station.
We travelled continuously throughout the day until
we reached Hannover at 9 in the evening. During
the journey, those who had exercised the forethought
to bring food with them had every reason to con-
gratulate themselves, because this was ail upon »-hich
we had to subsist during the twelve and a hall hours'
travelling. The authorities did not furnish us vith
so much as a crust of bread or a spoonful of water.
Moreover, if we chanced to pull up at a station where
refreshments of any kind might have been procur-
able, we vere not allowed to satisfy out cravings. At
one stop, owing to one of our comrades falling ill, we
asked the Red Cross for a drop of water. We paid
a mark--one shilling--for if, but after taking the
money they merely jeered, spat at us, and refused to
respond to our request.
Af Hannover we were permitted to buy what we
could, but I may say that it was very little because the
buffet attempted fo rob us unmercifully. A tiny
sandwich cost fourpence, while a small basin of rhin
and unappetising soup, evidently prepared in anticipa-
tion of our arrival, was just as expensive. Still the
fact remains that .throughout the whole railway
journey the German authorities never supplied us
with a mouthful of food.
After a wait of three hours af Hannover the train
resumed its journey, reaching the station adjacent to
the camp at Ruhleben at 6.0 a.m. Thus we had been
confined to our carriages for 21½ hours, suffering intense
discomfort from the stifling atmosphere and our
cramped quarters.
Our first impression of Ruhleben was by no means
inspiriting. The camp had been started some two or
268 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
three months previou.s to out arrival on November I4th,
1914, but it was in a terribly chaotic condition.
German method and organisation recorded a dismal
and complete failure here.
Having reached the grounds, and registration com-
plcted fo the satisfaction of the authorities, we were
marched off to our quarters. The party to which I
was attached was escorted to a stable which was of
the ordinary single floor type, characteristic of these
islands, with a row of horse-boxes and a loft for the
storage of hay and other impedimenta above. The
horse-boxes measured ten feet square and had only
been cleaned out perfunctorily. The raw manure was
still clinging to the walls, while the stalls were wet
from the straw which had been recently removed.
Indeed in some stalls it had not been cleared out.
The atmosphere had that peculiarly pungent
ammonia smell incidental to recently tenanted stables.
The prisoners who were allotted to those stalls in which
the wet straw stfll remained were compelled to lie
down upon it so that they had a far from inviting or
savoury couch. Yet there were many who preferred
the unsalubrious and draughty stalls to the loft over-
head, and prices for the former ruled high, as much as
IOO marksw5--being freely given for this accommo-
dation. This speculation m the quarters for the
prisoners constituted one of the greatest scandals of
the camp during its early days, inasmuch as it acted
unfairly against those who were " broke." Who
pocketed this money ve never learned, but there was
a very shrewd suspicion that certain persons were far
from being scrupulous and did hot hesitate to pursue
their usual shark tactics, even under such crcum-
stances.
K. and myself were compelled to shake ourselves
down in the loft. It was reached by a creaking and
crazy wooden staircase. Gaining the upper regions we
nearly encountered disaster. The loft was practically
void of natural illumination, the result being a kind of
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE .69
perpetual dismal gloom, which to us, coming out of the
broad daylight, appeared to be darkness until our eyes
grew accustomed to it.
The floor was of stone or concrete and in the centre
of the space the height from floor to the highest point
of the gable roof was about 7 feet, sloping to 4 feet
6 inches at the sides.
The auth0rities cannot be credited vith being
liberal in assigning us space. The roof rafters were
spaced Io feet apart and between each two of these
rive men had to shake down their beds. Thus each
was given a space 2 feet in width by 6 feet in length
in which to make himself at home and to stow
his belongings. The quarters were so cramped that
to dress and undress it was necessary to stand in the
centre of the gangway which ran down the middle of
the loft. Once in bed it was almost impossible to turn
over. To make matters worse the roof was far ffom
being watertight and when a heavy shower swept over
us the water would trickle and drip through, while
the slits in the wall allowed the wind to whistle and
rush into the loft with ear-cutting force.
When we entered into possession the floor was
perfectly bare, but we were given a miserable allowance
of trusses of straw, each of which was divided up
sparingly between so many men. This we threw
loosely upon the floor to form a couch, but the allow-
ance was so inadequate that no man could keep himself
warm, because the cold from the stone drove through
the thin covering, while it was quite out of the question
to find comfort.
Only a few blankets were served out. I, myself,
ruade eighteen distinct applications for one, but was
denied the luxury, if such it can be called, until eleven
months after my arrival at the camp. Had it not been
for the generosity of K. , who freely gave me one
of his blankets, coupled with one or two overcoats
which I secured as a result of my trading operations in
the camp, to which I refer later, I should have been
270 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
compelled to face the bone-piercing, marrow-congealing
wintry weather without the slightest covering beyond
the clothes in which I stood. Those who, unlike me,
were lacking a liberal friend, lay shivering, depending
purely upon the warmth radiating from one another's
bodies as they laid huddled in rows.
We protested against this lack of blankets to the
United States Ambassador, rime after rime, but it was
of little avail. The authorities persisted in their
statements that a blanket had been served out to
every man. In fact it was asserted in the British
papers, as a result of the Ambassador's investigations,
that each man had been served with two blankets.
But for every nlan who did possess two blankets there
wcre three prisoners who had hot one ! The authorities
cndcavoured to shuffle the responsibility for being
without blankets upon the prisoners themselves,
unblushingly stating that they had been careless in
looking after them, had lost them, or had been so lax
as fo let them be stolen. If the Ambassador had only
gone to the trouble to make a complete and personal
canvass he would have probed the marrer fo the
bottom. If a parade with blankets had been called,
the German Government would bave been fairly
trapped in ifs deliberate lying.
About ten months after I entered the camp, blankets
were purchasable at the camp stores. They cost us
nine shillings apiece and they were not out exclusive
property. XVhen a prisoner received Iris release he
was hot permitted to take his blanket Jth him.
Neither had it any surrender value. It had to be left
behind. If the prisoner could find a purchaser for it
he was at liberty to do so, but if no sale could be con-
summated then it had to be presented to a comrade.
The blanket was hot allowed to leave the camp because
it contained a certain amount of wool !
The food supplied by the authorities did not vary
very pronouncedly from what I had received in other
camps, but if anything it was a trifte better, especiall.y
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOI'E 27
in the early days, wher Germany was hot feeling the
pinch of the British blockade. For breakfast there
was the eternal acorn coffee and a hunk of black bread.
The mid-day repast comprised a soup contrived from
potatoes, cabbage, and carrots with traces of meat.
One strange mixture which the authorities were fond
of serving out to us was a plate of rice and prunes
garnished with a small sausage ! I invariably traded
the sausage with a comrade for prunes, this so-called
German dainty hOt appealing to my palate in the
slightest. After a wlfile, however, this dish vanished
from the limited menu. Tea was mercly a repetition
of the morning meal.
Our first emphatic protest was in connection with
out sleeping accommodation in the loft. A representa-
rive came from the American Embassy and we intro-
duced him forthwith to out sleeping quarters. We not
only voiced out complaints but we demonstrated out
inability fo get warm at night owing to the cold floor
striking through the straw. He agreed with us and
ordered the authorities to provide us with sleeping
arrangements somewhat more closely allied to civilized
practice. The Germans obeyed the letter but hot the
spirit of the Representative's recommendations. They
sent us in a few boards spaced an inch or two apart
and nailed to thin cross battens. In this way our
bodies were lifted about two inches off the floor !
The straw when served out to us was perfectly clcan
and fresh, but it did hot retain this attractiveness for
a very long rime. The soil in the vicinity of Rullleben
is friable, the surface being a thick layer of fine sand
in dry, and an evil-looking slush in wet, weather.
As the prisoners when entering the barracks were
unable to clean their boots, the mud was transferred
fo the straw. Not only did the straw thus become
extremely dirty but the mud, upon drying, charged it
heavily with dust. When a tired man threw himself
down heavily upon his sorry couch he was enveloped
for a few seconds in the cloud of dust which he sent
272 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
from the straw into the air. Vnenever we attempted
fo shake up out beds to make them slightly more
comfortable, the darkness of the loft was rendered
darker by the dense dust fog which was precipitated.
Naturally violent coughing and snëezing attended these
operations and the dust, being far from clean in itself,
wrought fearful havoc with out lungs. I recall one
prisoner who was in perfect health when he entered
the camp, but vithin a few weeks he had contracted
tuberculosis. He declined so rapidly as to arouse the
apprehensions of the authorities, who hurriedly sent
hiin home to Britain.
After lying upon this bare straw for three months
we were given some coarse sacking and were peremp-
torily ordered to fill these bags with the straw. This
task gave the sand and dust a spirited opportunity to
penetrate out systems. Had a stranger outside the
building heard out violent coughing he would bave
been pardoned had he construed otlr loft fo be a
hospital for consumptives.
We had been lying for quite six months upon tbàs
straw when we were suddenly paraded to receive the
ortier to re-appear a quarter of an hour later with out
beds. Re-parading we were commanded to empty the
sacks fo forma big pile, and if was a repulsive-looking
accumulation. But we observed this straw was
collected and carted away very careftLly, although at
the rime we paid little attention fo the incident.
Naturally we concluded that we were tobe given a
supply of new straw, and not before it was wanted.
Btt we were hot fo be treated as milksops. We vere
marched off fo the railway station where there was a
quantity of wooden shavings which we were told to
pack into o sacks. When we attacked the bundles
we recoilecl in horror. The material was reeking wet.
The authorities might just as well bave served us àth
soddened sponges.
What could be done ? Visions of rheumatic lever
and various other racking maladies arising from
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE 273
sleeping upon a wet bed haunted us. IIowever, the
day being fine we rapidly strewed the bedding material
out in the hope Chat the sun would dry it somewhat.
This precaution, however, was only partially successful.
Out couches were damp Chat night.
We thought no more about the straw which we had
been compelled to exchange for the shavings until we
learned that a German newspaper was shrieking with
wild enthusiasm about Teuton resourcefulness and
science having scored another scintillating economic
triumph. According to this newspaper an illustrious
professor had discovcred that straw possessed decidedly
valuable nourislting qualities essential 4o human lire,
and that it was to be ground up and to enter into the
constitution of the bread, which accordingly was now
fo be composed of at least three constituents--wheat-
meal, potato flour, and straw. Some of us began to
ponder long and hard over the straw which had so
suddenly been taken away from us, especially myself,
as I had experienced so many of the weird tactics
which are pursued by the Germans in their vain efforts
to maintain their game of bluff.
I asked every member of out party, in the event of
discovering a foreign article in his bread, to hand it
over to me because I had decided to become a collecting
fiend of an unusual type. Contributions were speedily
forthcoming, and they ranged over pieces of dirty
straw, three to four inches in length, fragments of
coke, pieces of tree-bark, and odds and ends of every
description--in fact just the extraneous substances
which penetrated into out loft Jth the mud clinging
fo out boots and which, of course, became associated
with the loose stra¢. I cherished this collection, which
by the rime I secured my release had assumed some-
what impressive proportions. I left these relics in
safe keeping near the border, and they will corne into
my hands upon the conclusion of the war if not before.
From these strange discoveries I was prompted to
make inquisitive enquiries. I discreetly and in ap-
74
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
parent idleness cross-questioned the guards and any
other sources of information vhich were likely to prove
fruitful, l{y interrogations were so seemingly innocent
as to draw immCdiate and comprehensive replies.
Stringing these fragments of information together, it
was impossible to tome fo any conclusion other than
that I had formed in my own mind, namely, that the
straw upon which we had been lying for six months
had been whisked off to the granary and had re-
appeared among us in the guise ot the staff of lire!
It was not conducive to our peace, of mind fo think
we had probably been eating our beds !
During the early days, owing to the insnflïciencv of
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE 275
nutritious food, we were hard-pressed. There were
no canteens, but presently these appeared and we were
able to purchase further limited supplies of food, at
an all but prohibitive price I might mention, because
the rascally German speculators had paid heavily for
the privilege of being able to fleece the British. When,
at a later date, we received a weekly allowance of rive
shillings, the plight of everyone became eased materi-
ally, although, unfortunately, this sum went a very
short way owlng to the extortionate prices which
prevailed.
One particularly atrocious scandal was associated
with the arrival of some big crates of comforts sent out
fo us by one of the philanthropic missions at home.
The local stores suddenly blossomed forth with a huge
nd extremely varied stock of wearing apparel9
mufliers, socks, and other articles of which we were in
urgent need. I, among others, did not hesitate to
renew my wardrobe, which demanded replenishment,
particularly as the prices appeared to be attractive.
We were ignorant as to the origin of this stock, but it
did not trouble out minds until my purchase of a pair
of socks. This precipitated an uproar, because within
one of the socks I found a small piece of paper on which
was written, undoubtedly by the hand which had
diligently knitted the article, " With love from .
To a poor British prisoner of war in Germany," followed
by the naine of the Mission to whom the articles had
been sent, doubtless in response to an appeal.
This discovery revealed the maddening circumstance
that what had been sent out to Ruhleben for free
distribution among the prisoners was actually being
sold. There was an enquiry which yielded a more or
less convincing result according to one's point of view.
There was also an outcry over the crates in which
these articles were sent to us. The party of which I
was a member had removed from the loft to a horse-
box beneath which had been vacated. When we
entered this attractive residence the walls were still
276 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
covered vith manure--they were not given a dressing
of whitewash until later--while lying upon the bare
floor, with only a rhin sack of doubtful shavings
between us and the stone, did not heighten out spirits.
But as we were becoming reconciled to out captivity,
we decided to make out uninviting stall as homely as
we could. We decided upon a wooden bed apiece.
The autholities, after persistent worrying, only partially
acceded to out demands by providing three primitive
single beds for occupation by six men.
As we could hot persuade the authorities to serve
us àth a bed apiece, we decided to build the three
extra beds ourselves. But we were faced with the
extreme diflîculty of procuring the requisite wood!
The authorities had none to give away and very little
to sell. XVhen we saw these empty pacMng cases,
which were of huge dimensions, we thought luck had
corne out way at last, so we approached the proprietor
of the stores for permission to break them up. But
to out disgust he informed us that he had already
parted with themwfor a consideration we discovered
afterwards. Two had been secured by a German
sentry in the camp to be converted into wardrobes,
while the others were in the hands of the camp car-
penter. We approached this worthy, but he ridiculed
the suggestion that he should give some of the wood
fo us for our intended purpose. We could buy the
boards if we liked. As there was no alternative source
of supply we did so, and the price of purchase showed
that the carpenter cleared nine shillings on each crate !
With much diflïculty we built out three extra bed
between us, but the outlay for materials alone was
eighteen shillings !
The cold during the winter affected us very severely
because the barrack was absolutely devoid of any
heating facilities. When the ShOW was carpeting the
ground to a depth of from six to eight inches, and the
thermometer was hovering several degrees below zero
we lay awake nearly the whole night stfivering with
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE 277
cold. Indeed on more than one occasion, I with others,
abandoned all attempts to sleep and trudged the loft
to keep warm.
We appealed to the American Ambassador in the
hope that he would be able to rectify matters. When
he came upon the scene there was another outburst of
indignation. He ordered the authorities to instal a
heating system without further delay. By driving
through out sole protector in this mamer, we, as
usual, received some measure of respite. But the
heating was useless to those living in the horse-boxes.
The side partitions of the latter were hot carried up
to the ceiling, but a space of some two feet was left.
To protect ourselves from the tierce ear-cutting draught
which swept through the stables we blocked these spaces
with brown paper. But the means which somewhat
combated the onslaughts of the draughts also shut
out the heat, so that, in out case, and it was typical
of others, we really did hot benefit one iota from the
" complete heating system "with which, so the German
press asserted, Ruhleben Camp was lavishly equipped.
Christmas Day, 1914, was an unholy nightmare.
Out fare could hot, by any stretch of imagination,
be described as Christmassy. We had several pro-
Germans among us--they preached this gospel in the
hope of being released if only on " passes," but the
thoroughbred Prussian is hot tobe gulled by patriots
made-to-order--and they kept up the spirit of Yule
Tide with candles and what hot, sonewhat after the
approved Teuton manner. It was impressive, but so
palpably artificial and shallow as merely to court
derision and mockery among the Britishers.
The great meal of the Day of Days was a huge joke !
One barrack received what might be excusably
described as something like a chop, with potatoes and
gravy. The next barrack had a portion of a chop
and potatoes, but no gravy. By the time this barrack
had been served apparently all supplies had been
exhausted, thanks to the wonderful perfection of
7 8 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
German method, organisation, and management. The
result was that a third barrack had fo be content with
a raw rasher of bacon, while a further barrack received
only potatoes swimming in a liquid which was un-
doubtedly set down oflîcially as gravy. But barrack
six got nothing ! This barrack is occupied by members
o[ thc Jcwish pcrsuasion, but only those who partook
of Jewish food rcceived anything fo eat that day.
The Jews gencrally fared better, because they were
tended by the Rabbi, who indeed exerted himself
untiringly upon their behalf. He drove into the camp
every day in his motor car, accompanied by his wife,
and they went diligently around the members of their
fiock, ascertaining the requirements of each man, and
doing all in their power fo satisfy him so far as the
rules and regulations of the camp permitted. The
Jews who supported their Rabbi had no complaint to
offer on the score of food, because they received it in
variety and plenty through the munificence of their
co-religionists in Berlin.
In the evening we attempted a sing-song to keep up
the spirit and atmosphere of the season as far as
practicable vithin our modest limitations, but this was
promptly suppressed by our taskmasters. We were
compelled to spend the evening in miserable silence or
fo crawl into bed to muse over our unhappy lot. So
far as Ruhleben was concerned, the sentiment of
" Good-will to ai1 men " had sped by on the main line,
and had forgotten ail about us poor wretches in the
siding.
While in Cologne on " passes " I and my friends
frequently learned from the Berlb, er Tageblatt and
other leading newspapers that the foremost artistes
perIorming in Berlin paid visits fo Ruhleben in the
evening to amuse the prisoners. At that time we were
somewhat prone to envy the good rime our compatriots
were evidently having at the internment camp and the
bed of roses upon which, according to the press, they
were lying. But when we entered the camp and made
THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE 279
enquiries, we discovered that the newspaper assertions
were hot merely gross exaggerations, but unblushing
fabrications.
To satisfy ourselves-upon this point we went to the
corner of the camp where the delightful entertainments
were said tobe given, but the only artistes we dis-
covered were a dozen hungry prisoners trying to coax
a tune out of a rebellious mouth organ ! Our belief
in German statements received another shattering
blow. During my twelve months in this camp I never
caught a glimpse of or heard a note from an eminent
German impressario or artiste of any description.
Ail the amusements we ever obtained were due to out
own efforts, and I ara glad to say that they evidently
were vastly superior to any that the much-vaunted
city could offer toits estimable citizens. At least this
was the only impression we could gather from the
statements of visitors who were occasionally permitted
to attend our theatrical and vaudeville performances
and concerts. We had nothing for which to thank
the Germans in the way of diversion than we had in
any other direction.
CHAPTER XIX
ORGANISING THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN
WHEN I reached the internment camp it was in a wildly
chaotic condition. Every semblance of management
was conspicuous by its absence, while the German
authorities never lifted a finger or uttered a single word
towards straightening things out. Some of the
enlightened spirits among us maintained that the
Germans would not assist us, but it is my flrm impression
that they could hOt : it was a problem beyond their
capacities. Such a state of affairs seems remarkable
when one recalls how persistently the Teuton flaunts
his vaunted skill in organisation, scientific manage-
ment and method belote the world at large. As a
marrer of fact it is only when one secures a position
behind the scenes in Germany, to corne into close con-
tact with the Hun as he really is, when he has been
stripped of the mask and veneer which he assumes for
parade and to impress lais visitors, that the hollowness
of the Teuton pretensions is laid bare in ail its ghastly
nakedness.
The result in Ruhleben camp was terrible. It was
every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.
If one, in desperation, approached the authorities for
a word of suggestion to improve this or that, officialdom
merely shrugged its shoulders and candidly admitted
impotence to recommend a remedy. So we had to
depend essentially upon out own exertions and
initiative.
Each barrack elected a captain, whose position was
somewhat analogous to that of the Governor of a
State, while over the camp as a whole reigned a super-
280
.................... tLEBEN 281
captain. Seeing that there were several thousand
prisoners at the time of my arrival on November 12,
1914, accommodated in twelve barracks, which pre-
sented a ghastly exhibition of congestion, and that
neither law nor order, except as interpreted and main-
tained by the rifle and the bayonet of the unscrupulous
German sentries, prevailed, the necessity to turn the
colony inside out and to inaugurate some form of
systematic control and operation was only too obvious.
In the early days we were entirely dependent upon
the authorities for our food supplies, and they were
invariably inadequate, while still more often the
victuals were disgustingly deficient in appetising
qualities. There were no facilities whatever for supple-
menting the oflïcial rations by purchases from a canteen
such as we had enjoyed for a time at Sennelager. At
last a German frau, animated by desire to improve the
shining hour at the expense of the interned civilians,
opened a small booth where some extras such as we so
urgently desired could be procured. This booth,
about as large as the bathing machine common to our
seaside resorts, was situate in the centre of the camp.
The diminutive dimensions of the " shop " prevented
the woman carrying extensive stocks, and, as a rule
she was cleared right out before mid-day. Her
specialities were sweets, fruit, canned foods, herrings,
and such like, but in extremely limited quantities.
This shop became known throughout the colony as
the " Pond-side " stores, and the nickname was apt.
Why, constitutes a little story in itself. It virtually
occupied the centre of the main thorougkfare, and
certainly became the busiest corner in the community,
But at this point the land ruade a sudden dip. Con-
sequently, when we were visited by rainstorms, and
it does rain in Germany, rendering a 13ritish torrential
downpour a Scotch mist by comparison, the rain water,
unable to escape, gathered in this depression, forming
a respectable pond, with the booth or stores standing,
a dejected island, in the middle.
282 FOUR GERMAN PRISt.)N3
If the storm were unduly heavy this pond assumed
imposing dimensions. One day I decided to measure
it, so arming myself with a foot-rule I waded deliber-
ately through its length and width with my crude
measuring device to find that it was 133½ feet long by
25 feet wide, and ranged from 6 inches to 2½ feet in
depth. While engaged in this occupation I was
surprised by an officer, who, catching sight of my rulei
sharply demanded what I was doing ? I told him
frankly, and there was a livcly breeze between us.
Naturally one vill ask how it was that such a pond
could form in the heart of the camp. To the British
mind, saturated as itis with blind faith in German
superior abilities in every ramification of human
endeavour, it may seem incomprehensible, and the
formation of the lake may be charitably attributed to
the rain-water drainage system becoming choked, thus
effectively preventing the escape of the water. But
there was no drain to cope with this water, and what is
more to the point the nuisance was never overcome until
the British prisoners themselves took the marrer in
hand.
When the water was lying in tlfis depression a trip
to the Stores became an adventure. To obviate the
necessity of wading through the noisome water we
secured a plank gangway upon boxes and barrels.
The pathway thus formed was only a few inches in
width and precarious. The gangway ran out from one
bank to the stores, thence on to the opposite bank, so
that it was possible for the men to pass to the shop and
to dry land in single file. If one were at the extreme
end of the queue one might confidently expect to wait
from two to three hours before reaching the shop, only
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 283
then tobe disappointed because it had been cleared out
of everything edible.
When the water was up, the German [raz,, acting as
shopkeeper, would perch herself on a box or barrel
with the murky fluid svishing and snarling around
ber, because her stores always suffered inundation at
such rimes. Walking the plank to make a purchase
was highly exciting and mildly diverting. No little
effort was required to maintain one's balance, while
rime after rime the crazy foundations, as represented
by the boxes and barrels, would give way, precipitating
a long string of patient customers into the dirty water.
The inadequacy of these stores was felt very severely.
At last, after a short and determined deliberation, it
was resolved to run the colony upon communal lines.
This was the only feasible form of control in order to
protect the prisoners against scandalous robbery,
extortionate prices, and to ensure a sufficiency of the
essentials which were in such urgent demand. A
simple, although comprehensive form of civic govern-
ment was drawn up, involving the formation of
educational facilities, a police force, a tire brigade, the
establishment and maintenance of shops and canteens,
all of which were operated by the community for the
benefit of the community, the receipts being pooled
in the camp treasury.
Such a system was absolutely imperative. Some of
the prisoners were without money and were denied the
receipt of contributions from home, their relatives
and friends doubtless being too poor to help them.
Naturally these luckless prisoners were speedily
reduced to extremely straitened circumstances and
distress among them became very acute. Furthermore
parcels of clothing and other articles were being sent
in bulk, addressed merely to the camp as a whole,
instead of to individuals, the objects of the senders
being the fair and equitable distribution of the articles
among the prisoners indiscriminately. The handling
of these supplies led to frequent and unblushing abuses,
284 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
the men who were not in nced of such contributions
receiving them at the expense of those who sorely
wanted them.
After out civic government had been reduced to
practical application and was working smoothly, the
task of distributing these unaddressed bulk supplies
was entrusted to the captains of the barracks. The
captain was selected for this responsibility because he
knew all the deserving cases in his own party and was
able to see they received the alleviation of their
distress. When a crate of goods came in the captain
compiled a list setting out the names and precise needs
of evcry man in his party. If you were in a position
to do so you were expected to pay a small sure for the
articles, the price thereof being fixed, although you
were at liberty to pay more if you felt disposed. This
money was paid into the camp treasury. But if you
were " broke," no money was expected. Consequently
every man was certain to secure something of what he
needed, irrespective of his financial circumstances.
The camp government also embarked upon trading
operations. Shops were erected, one or two ata rime,
until at last we had a row of emporiums. The requisite
material was bought from the Germans or from home
with money drawn from the camp treasury. It must
not be forgotten that the Teuton authorities resolutely
refused to supply us with a single thing, declined to
participate in any improvements, and refused to
contribute a penny to defray the cost of any enterprise
which was considered imperative to ameliorate out
conditions. Indeed they robbed us right and left, as
I will narrate later. By building shops in this manner
we were able to boast a Bond Street, from which in a
short rime radiated other thoroughfares which were
similarly christened after the fashionable streets of
London--we had a strange penchant for the \Vest-End
when it came to naming out streets. The result is
that to-day Ruhleben can point toits Fleet Street, its
Trafalgar Square, and so on.
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 285
Goods were purchased for the various departments
according to the specialities of the shops--boots for
the bootshop, clothes for the clothiers and groceries
for the provision stores. The communal government
selected competent men fo take charge of these
establishments at a weekly salary of rive shillings.
Every shop in the camp, with the exception of a very
few, such as mine in which I specialised in engraving,
the ticket-writers and so forth, belonged fo the com-
munity and were run by the community for the benefit
of the community. No prisoner was permitted to
launch out upon his own account as a shopkeeper if he
intended to deal in a necessity. Only those trades
which involved no stock or might be described as
luxuries were permitted tobe under individual manage-
ment for individual profit.
As the inter-trading in the camp developed we were
able to purchase large stocks of essentials, and it was
astonishing to observe the prosperity with which our
trading endeavours flourished. Great Britain has
always been contemptuously described by our com-
mercial rivais as a nation of shop-keepers, and in
Ruhleben Camp we offered out German authorities,
right under their very noses, the most powerful illustra-
tion of this national characteristic, and brought home
fo them very conclusively the fact that our national
trait is no empty claim. Thousands of pounds sterling
were passed over the counters every week.
While the shops dealt only in what might be termed
necessities for out welfare, we were able to procure
almost any article we desired. A " Special Order
Department " was created to which we took our orders
for special articles not stocked in the camp. If the
order, upon scrutiny by the authorities, was deemed
to be reasonable and did hot infringe the prohibited
list, the arrival of the goods in due course was
certain.
The value of this system of managing the colony
may be illustrated from one example, typical of many,
86
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
which reflects credit upon the captains and civi¢
organising committee. Butter was a luxury and could
not be purchased in the camp for less than 3 s. 2d. per
pound. Yet this figure was decidedly below that
ruling in the shops of Berlin for this article of food.
Under these circumstances one might wonder how we
were able to sell butter at a cheaper figure than the
native tradesmen, and readers might be disposed to
entertain the opinion that here, at all events, we did
receive a valuable concession from the German
authorities. But it was no such thing. The camp
treasury secured a quotation for butter and at once
realised that the terms were far too high for the
prisoners as a whole. Consequently they decided to
place this and margarine upon sale at attractive and
possible prices. The purchasing department was
allotted a certain figure for purchasing, but as this was
insufficient the difference in the prime cost was taken
from the common fund. Hence we never paid more
than 3s. 2d. per pound retail in the camp, although
the price was soaring in Berlin, so long as the article
was obtainable. This division of the cost between
the communal shop and the common fund brought
butter within the reach of those who otherwise would
have had to be content with dry bread, because
very few of us could bave afforded the luxury had
Berlin prices prevailed in Ruhleben. Incidentally the
price of butter serves fo convey a tangible idea of the
economic conditions reached in Germany and that
within nine months of the outbreak of hostilities !
Vhen the prisoners discovered that they could
obtain the majority of things which serve fo make lire
bearable even under depressing and oppressive con-
ditions they commenced to launch out in the acquisition
of things for improving creature comfort. With the
money drawn from the banks and other institutions
they purchased beds, cupboards, utensils, electric
reading lamps, clothes, and what hot to tender their
living quarters attractive and fo improve their personal
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 287
appearance and conditions. This extra work threw a
heavy strain upon the clerical department which,
within a short rime, demanded organisation. The
position of auditor was assumed by J, who
gathered a competent staff, and they worked like
Trojans on behalf of the camp. Many rimes, while on
night patrol as a policeman, I round J and his
assistants burning the midnight oil at I a.m., straighten-
ing out the accounts and posting the books of the
treasury. He and his staff deserve the greatest credit
for the high-spirited manner in which and the hours
they worked on behalf of their fellow-prisoners.
The shop-keeping industry received a decided
impetus when the British Emergency Relief Fund was
inaugurated. Under this scheme, rive shillings per
week were paid regularly through the American
Embassy to all prisoners who were in need of financial
assistance.
588 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
Notwithstanding the elaborate precautions which
had been brought into operation fo ensure that
this relief should get only into deserving hands, the
fact remains that up to the day of my departure it
was being paid directly into the pockets of some of
our enemies. The scheme had been brought into
operation some little while, when one morning, upon
parade, the authorities requested all those who
sympathised with the German cause to step out.
Many, doubtless thinking that here was the oppor-
tunity to secure preferential treatment or the golden
chance to obtain release from the Prison Camp of
Abandoned Hope, answered the call. The numbers
were appreciable, but as they advanced from the lines
they were assailed by vicious hooting, groaning and
nissing from the others who were resolved to maintain
their patriotism at all hazards. Still if was an excellent
move upon the part of the Germans. It eliminated
dangerous enemies from out midst.
But if the pro-Germans, now chuckling merrily and
rubbing their hands ,Mth childish delight, considered
their release tobe imminent they received a very rude
awakening. The German authorities are not readily
gulled. To them a pro-German is every whit as
dangerous as an avowed enemy. They merely
marched these traitors to another part of the camp
where they were forced to re-establish themselves in
their own isolated barrack quarters. They received
no improvement in treatment or food. The only
difference between the two divisions of what is now
described as the " split camp " is that whereas the
true Britishers are free to sing "' Rule, Britannia,"
'" God Save the King," and other patriotic songs, the
traitors have to while away their rime sin#ng " Die
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 289
Wacht ara Rhein," " Deutschland Uber Alles," and
other German j ingo melodies.
The position of the traitors became aggravated a
little later, when they learned that the German
authorities were quite ready to release them upon one
simple condition--that they j oined the German Army !
I ara ashamed to say that some of them even took
advantage of this infamous avenue of escape. But
the majority, after their dropped jaws and long faces
resumed their normal positions, thought they might
just as well change their national coat once more.
Some of these scoundrels, after openly enlisting undor
the German banner, did not disavow their pension but
coolly continued to draw the rive shillings per week.
Moreover, in one instance at least, one of these scape-
goats after declaring his pro-German proclivitics
was enabled to return to England as an exchanged
prisoner. I could reveal unpalatable truths conccrning
the laxity of our authorities in dealing with the
exchange of prisoners, but the moment is not oppor-
tune.
One day one of these renegades came to my booth
fo have some engraving carried out. He asked me a
price and I quoted hall a crown. To my surprise he
urged me to make it rive shillings. Somewhat aston-
ished I suggested that the work was not worth rive
shillings and that my estimate was perfectly fair.
" Oh, it doesn't marrer," he replied, laughing gaily.
"I draw rive shillings from the British Prisoners'
Relief Fund, which I never spend because I don't want
it, and one week's draw might just as well pay for this
job !"
I was so exasperated by this cool confession from
the "P.-G."--our colloquialism for a pro-German--
that I whipped round my bench and confronted the
amiable traitor. We commenced to argue, I told him
what I thought about him, words grew hot and soon
the fur commenced to fly. He landed out at me and
then I pitched into him unmercifully. It was useless
29 ° FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
for him to appeal for help. We knew every " P.-G."
alnong us and he xvas now fairly in the hands of the
Philistines. My colleagues merely gathered round,
j eering and cheering like mad as I got some stinging
bloxvs home. The renegade subsequently slunk off
rather badly battered, only to act quite up to his
traitorous principles. After being thrashed in fair
fight he crawled off to one of the German ofiïcers to
whom he explained in a wheedling, piteous voice that
he had been assaulted and went in fear of his lire.
The offmer came over to me and accused me of
fighting. I explained the whole circumstances,
emphasising the fact that the sneaking, drivelling
humbug was drawing rive shillings from the British
Pension Fund and yet was parading and voicing his
anti-British sentiments far and wide, when there were
many admitted and honourable British prisoners
walking about and in greater need of the money. The
officer was evidently impressed with my point of view
and undoubtedly concurred in lny contention that my
attitude was perfectly justified.
At all events he unostentatiously and unconsciously
betrayed his opinion of a pro-German. He never
uttered a word of reprimand to me ; the discomfited
" P.-G." was advised to make himself scarce; and
although I had been guilty of the grave offence of
fighting I never heard another word about the incident.
Itis evident that the oflicer in his own mind concluded
that the less he said about the episode the better.
Still I had got satisfaction. I had given one of out
enemies a drubbing which he would hot forger in a
hurry.
Yet the one fact remains. At the time I left the
camp there were several of these whimpering, cold-
footed, British Judas Iscariots still dradng unblush-
ingly their rive shillings per week ! I might add that
this constituted one of the greatest scandals of the
camp, and precipitated a feeling of smouldering
l ebellion, hot against the German authorities, but
THE COIIIIUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN
against the traitors who did not refrain from attempting
to fraternise with us after the diabolical repudiation
of their nationality. It was fortunate these back-
boneless, long-faced and drooping-mouthed Britons
were forced to live away from us; otherwise I ara
afraid there would have been some tragedies and
endless fighting.
Another rule of the camp somewhat grated upon
our nerves. We opened several canteens which we
stocked with our own goods, and operated upon
communal lines so that the prisoners might secure
ample food-stuffs. Naturally these articles were sold
fo the men at the lowest possible prices. But to our
dismay we learned afterwards that they might have
been soldat a lower figure had the German military
not demanded a commission, or perhaps it should be
called a " royalty " upon the turnover of 7½ per cent. l
This applied equally fo the " Special Order Depart-
ment," and I ara afraid, if the subject were probed to
the bottom, it would be round that every article sold
in Ruhleben--fully ninety per cent. of which probably
would be construed as articles saleable from the canteen
if shops were unavailable--contributes its toll of seven-
and a-hall per cent. to the German authorities. When
one recalls the thousands sterling which pass through
the shops and canteens during the course of the week,
the German oflïcials must have derived a handsome
revenue from this iniquitous practice. If all the
camps were mulcted in the manner of Ruhleben,
looking after the British prisoners must be an extremely
lucrative occupation.
This scandalous impost hit us at every turn. It
meant that we had fo pay for every article and through
the nose at that. For instance, the Camp Committee
laid down a house equipped with four large boilers fo
supply boiling water, which we had fo fetch, and with
which we were able to brew beverages and soups in
the secrecy of our barracks. We purchased this
convenience, of which the Germans took a proportion,
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
so that we really paid a prohibitive price for the water
which we consumed! The supply o[ hot water, no
malter [or what purpose, was comtrued by the Germans
as coming within the busi,ess o[ the ca,teen .t Shower
baths were also introduced, the cost being defrayed
out of the camp treasury. I wonder if the British
authorities Iollow a similar practice among the German
internment camps in this country ? It is an excellent
method of making the prisoner pay for his own board
and lodng.
The educational classes proved a complete success.
Almost every language under the sun could be heard
among the prisoners. The classes were absolutely
Iree, of course, although you could contribute some-
thing, if you desired. Individual tuition was given,
but in this instance the tutors were Iree to le» 3" fees.
The mastery of languages became one of the most
popular occupations to pass the lime. I myself had a
class of dusky members of the British Empire, drageon
from various Colonies, and speaking as many dialects,
fo whom I undertook to teach English, reading, 'riting,
drawing, and other subjects. At the lime the class
was formed, they could only muster a few English
words, conducting conversation for the most part by
signs and indifferent German. But my pupils proved
apt and industrious, and by the lime I left they had
mastered out longue very effectively, as the many
letters they sent me, before leadng Ruhleben, striàng
to thank me for what I had done, testify.
Camp lire was hOt without ils humour. Around the
boiler-house stretched a large wooden hoarding which
served as a notice-board. Every day there were
posted the names of prisoners, set out in alphabetical
order, for whom parcels had arrived. The remailfing
space was covered with advertisements of a àdely
varied order. The humour unconsciously displayed
upon that board probably bas never been equalled in
the pages of a humorous journal yet printed. It is
impossible fo narrate every quaint announcement as
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 293
they were so prolific, but I bave never forgotten some
of them. One I recall was an advertisement of a tutor
setting forth his terms for teaching English. But
only one word in the announcement was spelled
correctly! Another, posted by a sailor, tan, Talking
Parrot [or Sale. Guaranteed hOt to swear!" It
remained up for three days and apparently there was
nothing doing. Such an article was evidently a drug
upon the Ruhleben market. &fier the bird prisoner
had been in the camp a while the advertisement
reappeared, but the word " hOt " was blotted out l
The advertisement disappeared almost instantly, which
led one to surmise that someone had purchased Polly
fo repeat Ruhleben conversation ata later date, beside
the fireside of an Englishman's home, as a reminder
of the rimes and the vernacular of a German prison
camp.
The various reports which bave been published in
the German and British newspapers from rime fo rime,
relative to life at Ruhleben, bave dwelt at length upon
the social amenities of that imposing colony. People
af home bave read about the tennis courts, out football
field, the theatre, and other forms of recreation.
Possibly they think that the Germans bave been very
generous and sympathetic in this direction af least.
But bave they ? For the use of a section of the cinder
track fo serve as tennis courts the German authorities
demanded and received £5o! We paid them another
5o for the football field, while for the use of the hall
under the Grand Stand which had never been used
since the outbreak of war, and which we converted
into a theatre, we were forced fo hand over a third
5 o. The camp treasury met these demands, and
probably an examination of the books would reveal
many other disbusements of a similar character fo
other facilities. The Germans have never spent a
penny on our behalf, and have never given us anythin.
When the camp is broken up and the prisoners are
released, there will be a pretty problem for some person
294 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
fo unravel. By now Ruhleben has the appearance
of a healthy and thriving little town. The prisoners
have toiled unceasingly to improve their surroundings.
When we entcred into occupation of out horse-box,
its solitary appointment was the manger. We needed
a shelf, and had fo pay heavily for the wood. As rime
went on out ingenuity found expression in many other
ways. We ruade tables, chairs, wardrobes, sideboards,
and other furniture. In some instances these embellish-
ments were purchased from German fifres. The
result is that to-day some of the quarters are as
attractive and as comfortable as a fiat. \Vhen the
camp is broken up these articles will have tobe leIt
behind. Although under the hammer prices will and
must rule low, in the aggregate many thousands of
pounds will be realised. \Vhat is tobe done with this
money ? Who is to have it ? Scores of buildings
have been erected vith money draxaa from the colnmon
fund. Is any compensation going tobe paid by the
German authorities for the fruits of our labour and
ingenuity which will fall into their hands ? We have
paid for all the materials used out of our own pockets,
and the work carried out upon these lines already
rcpresents an expenditure of tens of thousands sterling.
Are the prisoners to lose all that ?
The community is run upon the most rigid business-
like lines. Nothing is given away at Ruhleben. This
explains how we have built up such a wealthy camp
treasury. The Camp Authorities govern the concerts,
theatrical and vaudeville entertainments, troupes,
band, newspapers, programmes--in short everything.
Individual enterprise has but a negligible scope in
Ruhleben. The initial outlays have admittedly been
heavy, but the receipts have been still larger, so that
there must be a big balance somewhere. It bas hot
all been spent, and the question arises as to what will
be done with the accumulated funds.
To convey some idea of the possible and profitable
sources of income it is only necessary to explain the
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 295
system of handling the prisoners' parcels. These are
sorted in a large building. I learned that a parcel
was waiting for me by perusing the notice-board. I
presented myself at the office window to receive a ticket
which I exchanged for the parcel, the ticket serving as
a receipt for due delivery. But the ticket cost me
one penny! Seeing that the average number of
parcels cleared every day is 3,000, it will be seen that
the sale of the necessary tickets alone yields roughly
I2 per day or over £4,000 a year. Recently the price
of the ticket has been reduced fiffy per cent., but
even atone halfpenny the annual income exceeds
£2,000. This one branch of business nmst show a
handsome profit, and there arescores of other prosperous
money-yielding propositions in practice in the camp.
No matter how spendthrift the treasury may be
the accumulated funds must now represent an imposing
figure, because, with only one or two exceptions, every-
thing is run at a profit. Will the camp treasury carry
the precepts of communal trading to the logical con-
clusion ? Will it distribute the accumulated funds
among the prisoners, pro rata according to the terre
of imprisonment, at the end of the war ? If that is
done it will serve as some compensation for the break-
up of homes in Britain and other countries which has
taken place, because those who were left behind were
deprived--through no fault of aught but the German
authorities and their ridiculous regulations--of their
wage-earners.
As the result of frequent representations the German
authorities permitted us to inaugurate our civil police
force for the maintenance of law and order throughout
the camp. After this force came into being and had
proved satisfactory, the military guards were with-
drawn, and we were encircled only by the cordon of
sentries outside. We suffered no military interference
whatever. The force, of which I became a member,
numbered forty all told. Out badge of office was an
arrnletblue and white bands similar to that worn by
396 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
the British constabulary, and carried upon the left
wrist over our private clothes--together with a button
inscribed " Police. Ruhleben Camp." The selection
of the police force was carried out upon extremely
rigorous lines to ensure that only the most capable
men were secured for this exacting duty. We patrolled
the camp night and day, the duty under the former
conditions being two hours, at the conclusion of which
we reported ourselves to the police station, and then
proceeded to our barracks to rest, waking up our
successor on the way, who thereupon went on duty.
Ail things considered the camp was extremely well-
behaved, the British naturally being amenable to
discipline. One or two thefts occurred, the offenders,
when caught, being handed over to the German
authorities fo receive punishment. At rimes there
were manifestations of rowdiness, but they were
speedily and readily quelled. The police required to
be unconscionably patient, tactful, and sympathetic,
because we were all chafing under restraint, and our
nerves were strained, while tempers were hasty. In-
deed, the German authorities marvelled at the manner
and the ease with which we kept the camp upon its
best behaviour, and I think we taught them many
valuable lessons concerning the enforcement of law and
order without the parade of any force or badgering,
judging from the assiduity with which they studied
our methods. Even the " drunks "--and they were
not strangers to Ruhleben, despite the fact that
alcoholic liquor was religiously taboo, the liquor being
smuggled in and paid heavily for, a bottle of Red Seal
costing fifteen shillings--never gave us the slightest
cause for anxiety.
One day there was a serious explosion of discontent.
We had been served at our mid-day meal with a basin
of evil-looking skilly. We took it back, and protested
that we ought not to be served with prison rare.
" Skilly ? " repeated the cook. " l'hat isn't skilly.
It's Quaker Oats."
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 297
" 'Strewth !" yapped a sailor, " That's the bloomin'
funniest Quaker Oats l've tasted. Quaker Oats will
keep you alive, but that bloomin' muck 'd poison a
rat!" saying which he disdainfully emptied the
noisome contents of his basin upon the ground.
We were told we should get nothing else, which
infuriated us. We gathered round the cook-house,
and the discontented, grumbling sailors and fishermen,
unable to make any impression by word of mouth,
commenced to bombard the kitchen xvith bricks,
stones, and clods of earth. The fusillade grew furious,
and the cat-calls vocifcrous.
The turmoil had been raging for some rime when a
mounted officer dashed up. Securing silence he
ordered us all into barracks. ïhere was an ominous
growl. Then he told us he had brought a battalion
of soldiers and a machine gun section from Spandau,
and if we did not disperse in rive minutes he would tire
on us.
We looked round, thinking he was bluffing, but
there, sure enough, were the soldiers dth their rifles
ready, and we discovered afterwards that the machine
guns had been brought up to the gates ready for use
at a moment's notice. We shuffled for a few minutes,
frowning, glowering, mumbling, cursing and swearing,
but as the Germans always mean what they say, we
sullenly moved off as ordered. Still the protest bore
fruit ; no further attempts were ruade to serve us with
that rare.
The highways of the camp were in a deplorable
condition. They were merely tracks trodden down
by our feet and carts, heavily rutted, uneven, and
either a slough of mud and water, or a desert of dust,
according to the weather. We persistently urged the
German authorities to improve these roads, but they
turned a deaf ear to all out entreaties.
At last the Camp Authorities decided to carry out
the work themselves. There was a call for labourers,
who were promised a steady wage of rive shillings per
298 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
week. Although enrolled in the first instance to build
roads, this force was afterwards kept on as a wor -ldng
gang to carry out any jobs which became necessary.
These men laid out and built an excellent road system,
following the well-accepted British lines with a high
camber and a hard surface so that the water could
run into the gutters.
These roads aroused intense interest among out
captors. They used to corne in and follow the men
at work, studying the method of building up the fabric,
and upon its completion they inspected and subjected
it to tests. A little later they coolly sent in a request
to the road-builders to go outsicle to continue urgent
work of a similar character. Hovever, investigation
revealed the disconcerting fact that these men were
required to take the places of those Germans generally
associated with this task, who had been called up for
service at the front. Needless to say the suggestion
met with a unanimous and determined refusal.
As rime went on out conditions became worse.
Bread became unobtainable at almost any price.
Pathetic advertisements commenced to steal upon the
notice-board, some of which I viidly remember. One
in particular revealed a poignant story of silent surfer-
ing. It tan " Good Swan Fountain Pen. Will ex-
change for loaf of bread." Yet it was only typical of
scores of others couched in a silnilar rein. Ail sorts
of things were offered in exchange for food. Out
treasury redoubled its efforts, but food Collld hot be
got even at famine prices. This was early in March,
i915, so that the country was speedily being compelled
to concede the strangling force of the British blockade.
One morning we were paraded, and every man was
ordered to produce any bread he might have in his
possession. Some of us had been storing the official
rations against the rainy day which we felt must corne
sooner or later. This had fo be surrendered. The
guards also carried out a thorough search to assure
themselves that none had been left behind or concealed
THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 299
under beds. When the bread had been collected
the authorities calmly cut it up and served us with a
small piece each--that is they gave us back a portion
of what was already out property, and which we had
hot eaten merely because we had been lnaking ourselves
content with purchases frolI the canteens.
This proceeding brought home to us the vivid prospect
of being reduced to a perilous position within a very
short rime. So in our letters home we emphasised
the need to send us bread and other food-stuffs. As
about three weeks elapsed before we received a loaf
after it had been dispatched, we kept it another veek,
then soaked it in water and took it to the cook-house
to be re-baked, for which we were charged one penny.
Some of the unfortunate members of the party had
no bread corne from home. But with true camaraderie
those prisoners who'were in the land of plenty invari-
ably divided their prizes, so that one and all were
reduced to a common level. In this way considerable
inisery and discontent were averted. Of course, when
stocks ran out, we had to revert to the official rations.
Here and there would be found a few hard-hearted
and unsympathetic gluttons. They would never
share a single thing with a comrade. A prisoner of
this type would sit down to a gorgeous feast upon
dainties sent from home, heedless of the envious and
wistful glances of his colleagues who were sitting around
him at the table with nothing beyond the black bread
and the acorn coffee. He would never even proffer
a spoonful of j am which would have enabled the
revolting black bread to be swallowed with greater
relish.
There is one prisoner of this type whom I particularly
recall. He had plenty of money in his pockets, and
was the lucky recipient of many bulky hampers at
regular intervals. Yet he never shared a crust with a
less foitunate chum. But this individual did not
refuse the opportunity to trade upon the hospitality
of a fellow-prisoner when he hirnself was in a tight
300
FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
place. He became the most detested man in the camp,
and to this day, with the rest of his selfish ilk, he suffers
a rigid boycott, and at the saine rime is the target of
every practical joke which his colleagues can devise.
To quote the vernactflar, we had " Some jokes vith
him," and often stung him to fury, when we would
laugh mercilessly at his discomfiture.
At the time I left the camp the outlook had assumed
a very black aspect, and now we hear things have
reached a climax, lloney is worse than useless now
because it can purchase nothing. The prisoners are
reduced to subsist upon what meagre rations the
authorities choose to dole out to them, and essentially
upon what they receive from home. Starvation
confronts our compatriots suffering durance vile in
Ruhleben. The davn of each succeeding day is
coming to be dreaded with a fear which baffles
dcscription because it is unfathomable.
CHAPTER XX
HOW I MADE MONEY IN RUHLEBEN CAMP
THE aimless life, such as it was generally pursued in
Ruhleben Camp, became exceedingly distasteful to
me. It conduced to brooding and moping over things
at home, to fretting and becoming anxious as to how
one's wife and family were faring ? While recreation
offered a certain amount of distraction, it speedily
lost its novelty and began to pall. There were many
of us who were by no means sufficiently flush in pocket
to indulge wildly in amusements, and yet money was
absolutely indispensable, because with the sinews of
war we were able to secure supplementary food from
the canteen.
Some of the methods which were practised to improve
the shining hour were distinctly novel. There was a
young Cockney who, upon his returr home, will un-
doubtedly blossom into a money-making genius, that
is if his achievements in Ruhleben offer any reliable
index to his proclivities. He would gather a party of
seventy or eighty prisoners round him. Then, producing
a rive-mark piece, he would offer to raffle it at ten
pfennigs--one penny--apiece. The possibility of
picking up rive shillings for a penny ruade an lrre-
sistibly fascinating appeal. It struck the traditional
sporting chord of the British character and a shower
of pennies burst forth. The deal was soon completed,
and everyone was content with the result. Someone
bought the five-shilling piece for the nimble penny,
while the Cockney chuckled with delight because he
had raked in some seven shillings or so for his rive
mark piece !
3oi
302 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
When I decided fo experiment in commerce I waz
in some doubt as to what would offer the most promis-
ing line. After due reflection I decided fo start as a
launderer, specialising in washing shirts at ten pfennigs,
or one penny, apiece. A shirt dresser was certainly
in request because the majority of the prisoners,
possessing only a severely limited stock, were compelled
to wear the one garment continuously for several
weeks. At the end of that rime it was generally
discarded once and for all. But the shirts I found to
be extremely soiled, and demanded such hard and
prolonged scrubbing, in which operation an uncons-
cionably large amount of soap was consumed, that I
found the enterprise to be absolutely unprofitable,
while I received little else than a stiff, sore back and
soft hands. So this first venture, after bringing in a
few hard-earned shillings, was abandoned.
Then I undertook to wash up the table utensils,
charging a party twopence per meal. This would
have brought me greater reward had I adhered to my
original intention. But one day the member of a party
genially suggested, " We'll toss for it! Twopence
or nothing!" I accepted the offer good-humouredly
and--lost ! By accepting this sporting recommenda-
tion I unfortunately established a ruinous precedent.
The practice became general, and I, having a wretched
run of bad luck, found that, all things considered, it
would be better for my hands and pocket if I were fo
look farther afield for some other enterprise.
My third attempt to woo Fortune was to set myself
up as a dealer in cast-off boots and shoes, my idea
being to buy, sell and exchange. To my chagrin I
speedily discovered that this calling demanded un-
limited capital, because it was easier to buy than to
sell or to exchange. Seeing that the average price I
was prepared to pay vas one shilling per pair, and the
state of excruciating depression which prevailed in this
field, I conjured visions of immense stocks of second-
hand boots, representing a heavy investmeat of capital,
HOW I MADE MONEY 303
which would lie idle for an indefinite period. So I
retired discreetly froin the second-hand boot and shoe
trade to seek Inore prolnising pastures.
While pondering over the situation a happy idea
struck Ine. In iny younger days I had practised
engraving, intending to adopt it as a trade. I dcvoted
solne six years to the craft and had achieved a Ineasure
of success and dexterity. Thereupon I decided to
launch out in this direction. Although I felt that my
hand had lost SOlne of its cunning through lack of
practice--I had not touched an engraving tool for
about tlfirteen years--I decided to take the risk,
feeling sure that it would soon return when I settled
down to the fascinating work in grim earnest.
I confided iny intention to one or two of iny friends,
but the inajority, except Iny bosoin chuln K, who
is a far-seeing business Inan, with their innate shrewd-
ness, wanted to knov where I was going to get any
custom in such a place as Ruhleben Cainp. I explained
that my idea was to engrave watches, coins, studs
links, indeed any article which the prisoners possessed,
thus converting theln into interesting souvenirs of
their sojourn in a Gerlnan prisoners' camp during the
Great War. But with the exception of K. they
declined to seC eye to eye with Ine. Still I was not to
be dissuaded, and consequently decided to coininence
operations upon my own initiative.
I was in a quandary. I had not suflïcient capital
to buy the necessary tools. However, K- , as
usual, caine to iny assistance by financing Ine to the
extent of seven-and-sixpence ! This Inoney I laid out
upon tools,
Now I was con-
fronted with another probleln. How was I to keep the
tools in the necessary sharpened condition. The only
stone I could borrow was quite useless for engraving
tools, while cutting plays such havoc with the edges
of the tools as to delnand frequent recourse to sharpen-
ing operations. However this obstacle did not daunt
304 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
me. I round tht with a suflïcient expenditure of
energy I could get a passably sharp edge for my purpose
by grinding the tools on the floor and finishing them
off upon a razor strop which I borrowed.
Now I had to seek for eligible premises. I sauntered
round the camp to alight upon a tiny vacant building.
As it appeared to have no owner, and was fulfilling no
useful purpose I entered into possession. Directly
I had installed myself the authorities came along and
unceremoniously ejected me, bag and baggage. As
soon as their backs were turned I re-entered into
occupation. I was thrown out a second rime, but
still as resolutely determined as ever to continue my
project I cast around and ultimately round an empty
kiosk, standing forlorn and neglected, a silent memory
of the brisk racing days at Ruhleben in pre-war rimes.
I installed myself therein, not caring two straws whether
the authorities endeavoured to turn me out or hot.
They would have to smash the place over my head
before they evicted me this time, but they were scarcely
likely to proceed to such extrelne Ineasures seeing that
they would have had to break up their own property.
Numerous jealous individuals attempted to eject
me rime after rime but I sat tight. I remember one
tender and amiable official who endeavoured to convince
me that the kiosk and other similar buildings were
under his charge, and that he was responsible for them.
As he narrated the situation I observed that he kept
the open palm of his hand extended belote me. When
he round this broad hint to be of no avail he ordered
me out of the building. Turning to him I suggested,
in as suave a voice as I could cornmand, that he should
accompany me to the " Wachter " to ascertain the
extent of his responsibilities and to have the Inatter
thrashed out once and for all. Needless to say he
declined this invitation, protesting that it was un-
necessary. He invited me to retain occupation of the
kiosk. My bluff completely outwitted the official in
question, while I achieved my end for once without
HOW I MADE MONEY 3o5
recotlrse to bribery nd corruption of the official
Teuton mind.
Several subsequent attempts were made fo coax me
out of my tenancy, but I may say that in sticking fo
he building I played the Germans af their own gaine.
When the guard came up and authoritatively demanded
by what manner of right or permission I had taken
possession of the kiosk I politely referred him fo a
certain officer in the camp. When the latter, upon
receiving the complaint, interrogated me in a similar
rein, I referred him fo another official. When this
third individual appeared upon the scene I switched
him off fo another officer. By playing off the officiais
one against the other in this manner I precipitated
such a tangle among them that no single oflîcial could
say whether he had or had not given me permission
While these tactics were being pursued I was gaining
the valuable rime I desired, and took the opportunity
fo entrench myself firmly in my position. The out-
corne was that when finally the marrer had been trotted
through the Ruhleben German Circumlocution Office,
and my eviction was offi¢ially sealed, I warded off the
fate by announcing that I was overwhelmed with
engraving orders for the military officers of the camp.
If was a desperate bluff, but if succeeded. Officialdom
apparently decided that I was better left alone, so I
suffered no further molestation.
The whole of the night before opening my engraving
business I sat up writing flaring signs and tickets fo
advertise my intentions far and wide, and soliciting
the favour of orders which under my hand would
convert this or that object into a priceless souvenir of
our novel experience. I also canvassed the camp to
explain my ideas, and, as I expected, orders commenced
to flow in. The souvenir idea caught on fo such a
degree as to compel me fo take in two fellow-prisoners,
who evinced an aptitude for the work, as apprentices,
and they speedily blossomed into craftsmen. My first
week told me I had struck the correct money-making
306 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
line at last. I round I had scooped in 200 marks--
£IO! This was hot bad for the first week's trading
and I entertained no apprchensions concerning the
future. Out of this sure I was able to repay many
little debts I had incurred.
The business developed so rapidly that an extension
of premises became urgent. I rigged up an addition
fo the kiosk, but it had fo be of a portable character,
so that if could be taken down every evening. As I
round my rime was so occupied I reluctantly decided
to keep only to the kiosk. I dressed its interior with
shelves and further improvedt my premises by
contriving show cases for attachment outside.
\Vhen I felt my feet I blossomed out in various
directions. I bought a small stock of odds and ends
in the cheap jewellery line, which were suitably
engraved. Button decorations was one line I took up
and these sold like wildfire. There was plenty of
money in the camp, some of the prisoners being
extremcly wealthy, and this explains why my trade
flourished so amazingly. Indeed, the results exceeded
even my most sanguine anticipations.
One branch of my fertility nearly landed me into
serious trouble. I fashioned souvenirs out of German
coins. I erased the Imperial head and in its place
engraved a suitable inscription. \Vhen the deface-
ment of the money was discovered there was a fearful
uproar, but as usual I contrived fo escape the terrible
punishment which was threatened.
Naturally one will wonder how if was I secured my
supplies, seeing that purchases outside the camp were
forbidden except through the officially approved
channels. \qaile it is inadvisable for me fo relate how
I did secure my varied stocks I may state that I never
expcrienced any disappointment or even a tfitch in
this connection. Time after rime I ,,'as taxed by
military individuals, eager fo secure" incriminating
evidence, but although they cajoled, coaxed and
threatened I could not be induced fo betray my secret.
HOW I MADE MONEY 307
Indeed, at last, I point-blank refused fo furnish any
information upon this marrer whatever, and with this
adamantine decision they were forced fo remain con-
tent. Doubtless they had their suspicions but if was
impossible to bring anything home fo me and so I was
left in peace.
From cheap jewellery I advanced to more costly
articles. I purchased a job lot of silver wrist watches
from a Jew who had gone " broke," and these I clcared
out within a very short rime. I always paid spot cash
and that was an overwhelming factor in my favour.
Indeed, my trading operations became so striking that
my naine and business proceeded far beyond the
confines of the camp. Within a few weeks of opening
my shop I was receiving calls from men in the camp
who were acting as representatives for some of the
foremost Jewish wholesale bouses in Germany, and
they were almost fighting among themselves to secure
my patronage. My biggest individual purchasing deal
was a single lot of j ewellery for which I paid nearly
I,OOO marks--£5o ! From this, bearing in mind the
difficulties which I had to overcome in securing
delivery, it is possible to gain some idea of the brisk
trade I was doing.
Everything and anything capable of being converted
into a souvenir by the dexterous use of the engraving
tool was handled by me indiscriminately. I bought a
large consignment of briar pipes. Upon the bowls of
these I cut a suitable inscription and filled the incisions
with enamel. These caught the fancy of the smokers
and I soon found my stock exhausted. As things
developed I became more ambitious, although not
reckless, until at last I had articles ranging up to £3o
in price upon my shelves, in the disposallof which I
experienced very little difficulty.
My shop became my one absorbing hobby although
it boasted no pretensions. I contrived attractive
show cases, some from egg-boxes, emblazoning the
exterior with striking show cards and signs which I
308 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
executed in the confines of my horse-box in the barracks
after my comrades had gone to sleep. Not satisfied
with this development I lighted the building brilliantly
by means of electric lamps and a large flame acetylene
lamp.
I did not confine myself fo any one line of goods, but
handled any thing capable of being turned into money
quickly. In some instances I had to resort to extreme
subterfuge to outwit the authorities. On one occasion
I purchased a consignment of silk Union Jacks for
wearing in the lapel of the coat. I knew full well that
if I placed these on sale in my shop the stern hand of
authority would swoop down swiftly and confiscate
the hated emblem without the slightest compunction.
So I evolved a special means of clearing them out and
that within a very fev minutes.
I went round to each barrack and button-holed a
capable man to undertake to sell a certain number of
the flags among the prisoners domiciled in his building.
On the offer of a good commission the man was ready
to incur great risks, although there was no risk in my
plan. Each man thus received a territorial right as it
were, and was protected against competition. The
price was fixed and the arrangements for effecting the
sale carefully drawn up. After the morning parade,
the custom was to dismiss us to our barracks a few
minutes before nine o'clock. We were compelled to
stay within doors for some twenty minutes or so. This
I decided to be the opportune occasion to unload my
stock. I enjoined every vendor, when I handed him
his stock overnight, to be on the alert in the morning,
and as the clock struck nine to pass swiftly from man
to man with ltis flags. The favour vas a distinct
novelty and I was positive they would sell like hot
cakes.
The scheme proved a howling success. Within rive
minutes after the appointed hour every man had been
cleared out. The flags were triumphantly pinned to
the lapels of the coats. When the prisoners re-
HOW I MADE MONEY 309
emerged Irom the barracks the guards were astotmded
by the brilliant display of Union Jacks. The array
was so imposing that the authorities even realised the
futility of stopping each prisoner in turn to rob him
of his prize. In this manner I got rid of several
hundreds of the little trophies in one swoop.
As may be imagined there was an enquiry to ascertain
how these flags had been introduced into the camp.
The prisoners were interrogated, but no prisoner
appeared to know anything about the marrer. He
invariably retorted that he had purchased it from
" some fellow or other " and had stuck it in his button-
hole. Never for a moment did the authorities suspect
that I had anything fo do with the transaction. It
was out of my ostensible line, so that I escaped
suspicion. The chortling which took place at the com-
plete discomfiture of the authorities and the manrler
in which they had been outwitted is rccalled vividly
to this day. It was one of many incidents which
served to vary the monotony of camp life.
310 U 1 LERMAN 111U
On August Bank Holiday, 1915, the authorities
considerately permitted us to have a day's junketting.
We were to be at liberty to do exactly as we pleased.
Indeed, we were urged to enjoy ourselves thoroughly
and we did not require a second urging. The football
ground was converted into a fait. No restrictions
whatever were imposed upon us. The authorities
themselves were so enthused with this concession to
us as to give us several days' notice of their intentions
to enable us to make any preparations we considered
fit, while we were not faced with any obstacles in the
rigging up of side-shows, gambling halls and what not.
The concession was particularly attractive to me, as
I recalled that it was upon the previous August Bank
Holiday I had been arrested on the charge of espionage
and consigned to Wesel Prison. The rivalry amongst
us was astonishing, while there were many wonderIul
manifestations of fertility and ingenuity. One
prisoner spent I,OOO marks--5o--in rigging up his
booth, which was somewhat reminiscent of an Aunt
Sally at home. liy two friends, K and F.,
HOW I MADE MONEY 311
contrived a golfing gaine which proved a huge financial
success. I myself rigged up a billiard table on which
was played a very unorthodox gaine of billiards, and
which, because of its departure from conventionality,
created a sensation. It was really a revival of a
gaine or wheeze which I had learned many years
belote.
Ç,The billiard table was contrived from the wooden
sides to my bed. I secured them side by side to give
a fiat surface 6 feet long by 5 feet wide. Over the
upper surface I stretched and tacked down a sheet to
form the cloth. I bought a broomstick and with the
assistance of the camp carpenter shaved it down to
forma passable cue, tipping the end with a small piece
of leather cut from my boot. The table was rigged up
in the open air, boxes and barrels serving as the legs,
while it was levelled as far as practicable. There was
only one ball. At the opposite end--on the spot--I
placed two match-boxes set at an angle to one another
and just sufficiently far apart fo prevent the ball
passing between them. The unusual gaine was to
play the ball at the boxes in such a manner as to knock
both of them over together. It seems a simple thing
fo do, but I would merely advise the reader to try it.
Probably he will learn something to his advantage.
I assumed fancy dress. I secured a big top bat, a
pair of trousers much too baggy and big for me, a
swallow-tail coat with tails formed of white and red
strips--a regular Uncle Sam's costume--had a big
flaming bow about twelve inches in width and a
ridiculous monocle. I think my rig-out transformed
me into a hybrid of Brother Jonathan, Charlie Chaplin
and an English dude. My dress was completed by a
biscuit tin suspended by a hand from my shoulder and
in which I rattled my money. On the face of the tin
I wrote--
Corne along ! Corne along ! ! Corne along ! ! !
Always open to make. Always open to lose.
Corne along B'hoys !
312 FOUR'--GERMAlX PRISONS
I then stood on a box and told the tale characteristic
of a man at the fair for the first rime in my
life.
Seeing that I was the only man attired in fancy dress
I became the centre of attraction as I desired and as
much among the guards who mixed and joked with us
freely on this Great Day, as among my feLlow-prisoners.
It also served as a striking advertisement for my gaine
of unconventional billiards, which was my intention.
My terres were ten pfennigs--one pennyna shot and
round my table the fun grew fast and furious. It
seemed so absurdly easy to knock the two boxes doa
af once, but whcn the billiard experts settled dorsal to
the gaine they round that only about one shot in fifty
proved successful. Indeed the ability to knock the
two boxes over simtfltaneously was round to be so
difficult as fo be exasperatingly fascinating, and as a
result of their repeated and abortive efforts I ruade
money quickly. The table was kept going hard the
whole day, by the end of which I found I had raked in
several pounds in nimble pennies.
The other side-shows also did excellent business,
especially the gambling tables where roulette was in
full swing. At the end of the day ail the roulette
boards and other gainbling impedimenta were con-
fiscated. This was the arrangement. But between
sunrise and sunset we did not surfer the slightest
interference with out enjoyment and merriment. This
unexpected spell of free action redved the spirits of
the prisoners to a remarkable degree, and we were all
warnfly grateful to the German authorities for allowing
us fo do and fo enioy ourselves exactly as we pleased
for even one brief day. It was a Bank Holiday accord-
ing to the British interpretation of the term, and I,
in common with all my fellow-prisoners, must certainly
adroit that it was the jolliest day I remember during
the whole period of my incarceration, and the oMy day
on which we were allowed to indulge in sport ad lib.
and according to the dictates of our fancies. I mention
HOW I MADE MONEY 313
this concession because I ara anxious to give credit to
the Germans where it is due.
314 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
I was net only making sufficient money out of my
various commercial transactions te keep myself in
clover within the camp, but I was successful in finding
means te remit seine of my income, earned in Rulfleben,
te England "Te keep the Home Fires Burning." This
I considered te be a distinct achievement, especially
as I was making it at the expense of my captors.
Only once did I bave an acute shock. It was at
the time when the Germans were making such frantic
efforts te rake in all the gold upon hich they could
place their hands. In my stock was a certain gold
article which had cost me 3o, as well as another item
also of this metal which I had secured at the low price
of 2o. An officer swooped down upon my kiosk and
went through my stock. I trembled as te what would
happen whcn he alighted upon the two valuable articles.
He picked up the first named article, examined the
metal critically, and then asked me how much I wanted
for it.
" Three marks! " I ventured nonchalantly, àth a
view te taking him off his guard.
" But it's gold," he persisted, staggered at the idea
of being able te buy such an adornment for the trivial
sure of three shillings.
My heart thumped as he held the article hesitatingly.
If he offered me three shillings for it I should be bound
HOW I MADE MONEY 315
fo accept if in which event I should be a heavy loser
over the deal. So I went on desperately :
" Well, if you think it's gold why don't you buy it
for three marks ? I will give no guarantee, so don't
come back and say it's only metal!" Then assuming
a deprecating tone I continued : "' If is got up only
for show. It looks very pretty, but you couldn't
give if fo a lady ! "
He appeared fo be quite satisfied because he replaced
if, while when he picked up the other item I pitched a
corresponding yarn. After he had taken his departure
I promptly transferred the two articles fo a place of
safety in case he should take if into his head fo make
another examination.
If was on June I when I embarked upon my engraving
venture, and my two apprentices and myself were kept
hard af it the livelong day, the pressure of business
being so great. My own working hours, so long as
daylight permitted, were from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. About
September I concluded the moment fo be ripe fo con-
summate my one absorbing idea--to get home. I
was now in a position financially fo complete the plans
I had laid long since. I had to tread warily, but by
the end of October I was secure in my position. Still,
although confident of success, I did not relax my interest
in business, because my plans were just as likely fo go
wrong as to succeed at the last minute. Moreover
af the end of November I had the intense satisfaction
of learning that my profit as a result of rive months'
trading was £15o! I considered this fo be extremely
satisfactory. An average profit of £7 IOS. per week
exceeded my rosiest anticipations, and it now seems
additionally remarkable when I recall the limited
confines and the restricted clientèle of Ruhleben Camp.
But the greatest satisfaction I have is knowing that I
completely outwitted my oppressors, because I ,,Tas hot
supposed fo trade as I did. It was a tellin, example
of stolea fruits being the sweetest.
CHAPTER XXI
HOW THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR WAS DECEIVD
As is well known the British prisoners in Germany
have only one person within the Central Empires to
whom they can appeal for protection, and through
whose good offices alone they are able to secure redress
of their grievances. This is Mr. Gerard, the Ambassador
of the United States of America to Germany. Mr.
Gerard has toiled indefatigably and unremittingly
upon out behalf. In his magnanimity and determina-
tion to give a square deal all round, he has made the
signal error of accrediting the Gerrnans with being a
highly-developed, civilised, and cultivated race.
Unfortunately for Mr. Gerard's sense of duty the
German does not accept the principles of the precept,
" Do unto others as you would others should do unto
you," but has evolved a code of his own construction
which is peculiarly Teutonic--" Do unto others as
you know others will not date or deign to do unto you I "
The American Ambassador has always responded
promptly to any calls for his intercession and bas ever
listened courteously and patiently to tales of woe.
Whenever he has considered the complaint to be well-
Iounded he has. spared no effort to secure an immediate
improvement in conditions. Yet it is to be feared
that many of his recommendations have never been,
or have only been partially and indifferently, carried
into effect.
In his determination to hold the scales of justice
evenly Mr. Gerard has been prone to. accept the Gerrnan
at Iris own valuation. Every pnsoner in Germany
to-day knows from painful experience that the Teuton's
316
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 317
word counts for nothing ; it is hot worth the breath
expended upon its utterance, or the paper upon which
it is written. The German is an unprincipled liar
and an unmitigated bluffer, in which art, if such it
may be called, he has become a super-master.
The German has always laughed, and still is laughing
up his sleeve at the courteous American diplomat.
The imperial authorities have never hesitated to throw
dust in his eyes and to outwit him when the occasion
suited their purpose. Indeed, they scheme deliber-
ately and unceasingly to side-track him and to prevent
the true conditions and affairs penetrating to his know-
ledge.
I had one striking instance of this carefully premedi-
tated and unscrupulous gulling and thwarting of the
American Embassy. The accidental discovery of the
circumstance that the baseless charge of espionage
levelled against me was still hanging over my head
somewhat worried me. I ascertained one exceedingly
disturbing fact which was communicated to me within
the camp. Had I committed any offence, no matter
how trivial, while in the camps, I should hot have
been arraigned upon that particular delinquency, but,
in all probability, would have had the original charge
retrumped up against me. I learned that this was the
German practice. Moreover, the old charge was
liable to be trotted out at any odd moment at the caprice
of my oppressors. The authorities had never acquitted
me of being a spy. On the other hand they had never
pronounced me guilty. I was forced to accept the
former interpretation from my transference to the
internment camps, as if I had been merely a detained
civilian. My reasons for believing that I had been
acquitted of the grave charge were supported by
the fact that in Germany, a person who has been round
guilty of espionage, and who escapes the death
penalty, is condemned to solitary confinement in a
military prison.
The charge of espionage being in a condition of
318 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
suspended animation as it might be termed, coupled
with the fact that no one knew whenever, wherever,
and how it might suddenly be revived to my detri-
ment, did not conduce to my peace of mind. On one
occasion I received a pretty rude shock. I filled up
an application for release upon medical grounds, but
upon being summoned before the authorities I was told
point-blank that I should be kept a prisoner until
the end of the war, exchange or no exchange.
The uncertainty became intolerable. I wrote a
lengthy letter to the American Ambassador explaining
rny unfortunate and doubtful position and expressing
the hope that he might be able to bring the matter
to a decision. In common with my fellow-prisoners,
I had always cherished the belief that a letter addressed
to the American Embassy was regarded as confidential
and inviolable; at all events was hot to be opened,
except with the express permission of the prisoner or
the Ambassador. But my faith was rudely dispelled.
I dispatched my communication only to receive a
curt summons to appear before an oflîcer, who bluntly
informed me that my letter could hot be sent to the
Embassy because it was sealed. It was handed back
to me with the injunction that the envelope must be
left open.
Now, if letters containing complaints and addressed
fo out sole Protector are sent unsealed it is only logical
to assume that the German oflîcials apprise themselves
of the character of the "' grouse." By so doing they
become as wise as the Ambassador--if the letter ever
reaches him. By having access to all communications,
a letter is permitted to go forward if it suits the oflïcials,
but not before they bave ruade a note of the grievance
in order to be able to take the necessary remedial steps
before the Ambassador intervenes.
In my particular instance I prepared a lengthy
explanatory communication, requesting an audience
if at ail possible. The letter was so worded as to compel
an acknowledgment, unless the Germans were disposed
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 319
fo surfer exposure of their methods and duplicity.
In due course a representative appeared. He seemed
to have only a hazy recollection of my communication
so I related all the essential details to him. I was more
than positive that the German authorities had filed a
copy of my letter because their attitude towards me
changed suddenly and adversely, and by a strange
coincidence this metamorphosis agreed with the date
on which I had dispatched my comnunication fo the
Embassy.
I urged the representative fo ascertain whether I
had, or had not, been acquitted of the espionage
charge. I particularly desired the official acquittal in
writing from Wesel, because it would be of far-reaching
value in the event of my being haled before the authori-
ties upon some other flimsy offence. He listened
attentively and sympathetically, appreciated the
situation as it affected me personally and promised
to do everything he could on my behalf. But evidently,
subsequent conversation with the Teuton authorities
exercised the desired German effect. A few days later
I received a curt acknowledgment saying that my
affair, which was somewhat unusual, was purely one for
military decision. I was also informed that the
papers referring to my case were at Wesel fortress, and
I was advised to write direct to the Commandant at
the military centre for them. With this consolation,
if such it can be called, I had to test content.
The fact that I bave never heard another word
upon the subject from that day to this proves conclu-
sively that the authorities, although doubtless profuse
in their apologies and regrets to the Ambassador
over the delay, and unctuous in their promises to settle
the issue immediately, never really intended to stir
another finger in this direction. No one disturbed
the official serenity and forthwith the whole question
was permitted to slide and tobe forgotten in accordance
with German machinations.
Upon the receipt of the ambassadorial letter I was
320 FOUR GERAN PRISONS
inclined to stir up the whole issue for ail I knew how,
but upon second thoughts I refrained from pursuing
the marrer any further. I had thoroughly ruade up
my mind as fo the course of action which I would
take, and so concluded that it would be far better
from my point of view to " let sleeping dogs lie."
I think my attitude must have completely disarmed
the Germans. To them I assumed an air of complete
resignation, but ail the rime I was working silently
and zealously towards my own salvation.
At frequent intervals the emissary from the Embassy
visited us. He 'as invariably received graciously
by Baron von Taube, whom 'e facetiously dubbed
Baron von Facing-both-ways, and other members of
his stafi fo form as escort through the camp. The
representative thus saw and heard exactly as much
as the authorities determined should be the case
and nothing more. "Uhenever he vas disposed to
become uncomfortably inquisitive he 'as deftly steered
clear of the troubled waters. We were told that we
were quite at liberty to speak to the Ambassador if
we desired, but unofficially we vere warned to think
tce before we took such a step, the hint being thrown
out that it vould be better for us to refrain from
talking to him unless first questioned. The shallow-
ness of the official decree was viddly brought home
to us 'hen we were forcibly confined to barracks0 and
this frequently occurred vhile the ambassadorial
visitor was in the camp.
On one occasion complaints concerning the living
quarters were made. The representative came and
explained the object of his mission to the Commanding
Officer. Ostensibly this vorthy was overwhelmed with
surprise at any such grievance having been formulated,
although, as a marrer of fact he knew full well -hy
the representative had called, owing to the rule con-
cerning ail letters being posted unsealed.
The Commanding Officer protestingly !aughed at
the suggestion that the living quarters were untenable.
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 321
But there ! The representative could see for himself.
With every semblance of complete complaisance the
representative was escorted into the camp. With
unassumed unconcern, but with deliberate intention,
he was accompanied to Barracks I or 2, to see with his
own eyes a typical illustration of the living quarters
provided within the camp.
The situation was exceedingly ludicrous, although
it was of considerable moment to us who had lodged
the complaint. The representative could hot have been
taken to more convenient buildings from the German
point of view. They are the show-barracks of Ruhleben,
and certainly are excellent specimens of the prisoners'
quarters. They indubitably served as a powerful
illustration of how prisoners could make themselves
comfortable. They wcre held up far and wide through-
out Ruhleben as a pattern for all others fo copy.
One and all of us xvould willingly have emulated this
attractive model--i/ we had possessed the money fo
spend upon lm, uries/ Barrack No. 2 is the domicile
of the élite and wealthy of Ruhleben. The prisoners,
flush of funds, have been permitted to gratify every
whim and fancy. They have expended large sums of
money upon the purchase of furniture and knick-
knacks, the result being favourably comparable with
a smart and fashionable fiat, that is if a fiat can be
squeezed into a horse-box ten feet square l
The representative was solemnly assured that these
barracks were only typical of the other buildings in
the camp. But had the American visitor walked a few
dozen yards upon his own initiative, to enter Barrack
3 or 5, he would have received a convincing demonstra-
tion of unprincipled German lying. There the inmates
were compelled, willy-nilly, to lie upon the floor.
At that time beds had hOt been served to more than
one-half of the prisoners.
During one of these visits the prisoners of Barrack 6
defied authority. They had petitioned the officials
incessantly to improve their quarters but to no pur-
W
32 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
pose. The cause for the greatest discontent wa the
absolute lack of light. The loft was nothing more
nor less than a " Black Hole. '» On this occasion the
tenants had been sent to barracks with the strict
injunction that they were not to corne out again until
the ambassadorial inspection had been completed.
But the prisoners were not disposed to permit this
deliberate hoodwinking of our protector to continue
indefinitely. The representative had been taken to
a typical [sic] barrack to observe the appointments and
to satisfy hitnself concerning the German efforts which
had been ruade to tender the tenants comfortable.
As usual he round no apparent justification for the
complaints which had been made.
IIe was being escorted to inspect some new latrines
which had recently been completed. To reach the
latter point he had to pass Barrack 6, in which the
boys were on the alert to seize the opportunity tor
which they had been waiting quietly. When the
representative was but a few yards distant up went
the shout in unison, " Corne and see out barrack l
Corne and see out barrack 1"
The guards endeavoured to smother the hail, but
for once they were too slow. The representative heard
the cry, stopped, and doubtless impressed by the vehe-
mence of the invitation, expressed his intention to
make an investigation. I mention this incident to
emphasise the point that the Embassy was always
ready to deal fairly with the prisoners, and to prove
that a great deal more would have been done on our
behalf had the visitors been given a freer hand.
The chagrin of the German entourage escorting
the ambassadorial deputy was amusing to observe.
Behind his back they frowned, glowered, and glared
fiercely, shook their fists, and muttered stifled inco-
herent curses, but when he turned to them they assumed
a meekness and pleasantry which quite disarmed sus-
picion. Still, their anger, as they followed him into
the building, was so intense as to defy being masked
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 3"2, 3
and afforded us, who were witnessing the episode, the
most complete satisfaction and ill-disguised delight.
The expected happened. The representative entered
Barrack 6. He climbed the rickety staircase leading
to the loft with difficulty to dive into the" Black Hole."
He condemned it in unmeasured terms. Apparently
he realised how neatly he had been hoodv«inked,
he became furious, and in tones which brooked no
argument or discussion, ordered the instant removal
of the prisoners to more congenial surroundings. The
officials were beside themselves with rage at the turn
which events had taken, but they hesitated fo give
offence. They were profuse in lame excuses and
pleaded that the accommodation in this loft was only
temporary. The German interpretation of the word
" temporary " may be gathered from the fact that
this particular loft had been occupied for nearly six
months. But the representative gained the day.
The loft was forthwith vacated and subsequently,
when certain improvements had been carried out,
was used only as a schoolroom.
About March, 1915, as previously narrated, we
commenced to experience a severe shortage of bread.
We were not receiving suflîcient of the staff of life
to keep us alive. The representative drove into the
camp one day fo investigate some other matter. When
he had departed upon his mission, accompanied by the
inevitable entourage, some of us gathered around his
motor-car which was covered with dust. While one
or two were chatting with the chauffeur one of the
party slipped a tetter, pointing out our dire straits
and describing how famished we were, beneath the
ambassador's seat, and in such a manner as to compel
his attention upon re-entering the automobile. Another
prisoner, with his finger, scrawled in the dust upon the
rear of the tonneau, " We want bread I " while other
notices were chalked up in commanding positions,
so as fo arrest instant attention, " For God's sake,
give us bread t "
324 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
When the German guards spotted the flaming appeal
upon the rear of the car they fussed up in indignant
rage. One advanced to obliterate the damnin gE words,
but the chauffeur whipped round the car. He caught
sight of the mute request, and intercepting the officious
sentry remarked :--
" You mustn't touch this car l It's the property
of the United States Government I"
The guard pulled himself up sharp]y, glaring fiercely
and evidently contemplating defiance of the warning.
The chauffeur was a white man. He eyed us quizzic-
ally for a moment or two. Realising from our faces
that we were not playing a joke, but ventilating a
serious grievance, he stood between the officious sentry
and the vehicle until the representative returned,
The Embassy car drove out of the camp with the
letters still staring out in a gaunt appeal from the thick
dust. Evidently the chauffeur drew the representative's
attention to our cry, while it is only reasonable to
suppose that the emissary from the Embassy discovered
the letter which we had secreted beneath his seat,
because an improvement in the allowance of bread
immediately ensued.
And so it went on. No trick was too knavish or too
despicable to prevent our guardian learning the truth
concerning our plight. He very rarely walked about
unaccompanied. Tongue in cheek, the Germans,
who always were cognisant of the object of his visit,
and who had always taken temporary measures to
prove the grievance to be ill-founded, strode hither
and thither with him, throng knowing glances and
winks among themselves behind the representative's
back. Doubtless it was the successful prosecution
of these tactics which persuaded the Embassy to believe
that the majority of out complaints were imaginai T
and arose from the circumstance that the inhabitants
of Ruhleben would persist in ignoring the fact that
they were the victims of war and hot pampered pers.
One of the most glaring instances of the effective
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 325
manner in which the Germans sought to disarm and
to outwit an official visitor was narrated to me by a
fellow-prisoner who had been been transferred from
Sennelager to Ruhleben. I conclude that the incident
must have happened, during the interregnum when I
was " free on Pass " in Cologne. I cannot vouch for
the accuracy of the statement, but I do not think there
is the slightest reason to doubt the word of our com-
patriot, because he was in Sennelagcr at the rime
and actually passed through the experience. Further-
more it is typical of Teuton methods in matters per-
taining to the treatment of prisoners.
X stated that, despite the llavoc wrought during
the "Bloody Night" of Septembcr II, all the prisoners
were sti]l herded on the field at Sennelager until long
after my departure. They were exposed to the heavy
tains and were all reduced to a miserable condition.
Suddenly an order came up commanding all prisoners
to return instantly to their old barracks. This sudden
manifestation of a humane feeling upon the part of
the Commandant provoked widespread amazement.
What had happened ?
The surprise of the prisoners became accentuated
when they regained the permanent buildings which
had formerly comprised our home. They were hurried
into their quarters and shaken down with incredible
speed. Fires were set going and the unhappy prisoners
ruade themselves comfortable confident that their
trials now were over, and that they were destined to
prolonged residence under weathertight roofs.
The following day an august visitor arrived at the
camp. Whether he was an emissary from the American
Embassy or not my informant was unable to say, for
the simple reason that no one knew bas identity, and
every precaution was observed to prevent any informa-
tion upon this marrer from becoming known among
the prisoners. Be that as it may he ruade a detailed
tour of the camp, investigating the arrangements and
accommodation provided for the hapless inhabitants'
326 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
xvelfare. Under no circumstances whatever vere the
British prisoners' permitted to speak to the mysterious
stranger. Any attempt in this direction was sternly
and forcibly suppressed by the guards who swarmed
everywhere. Evidently, judging from Iris demeanour,
the stranger was deeply impressedqand satisfied--
with what he saw with Iris own eyes.
But the moment he had left the camp the prisoners
were paraded and re-transferred to the field. This
story, if accurate, and I see no reason to doubt its
veracity, is interesting from one circumstance. When
we were summarily turned out upon the field by the
inhunlan Major Bach, he advanced as his reason for
such action that vast numbers of German recruits
were nlomentarily expected, and that the buildings
were required fo bouse them. But according to the
foregoing incident the barracks were still empty. The
lying Commandant of Sennelager Camp was thus
con demned out of his own mouth, while the minute
precautions he observed fo prevent the mysterious
stranger from learning a word about our experiences
on the field proves that he merely turned us out into
the open, herded like animals in a corral, fo satisfy
his own personal cravings for dealing out brutality
and torture.
But the most glaring example of German duplicity
and astuteness in throwing out protector off the track
provoked Ruhleben fo hilarious merriment, despite
the seriousness of out position. Leastways, although
the Teutons may bave regarded the movement as one
of serious intention, we regarded it as a deliberate
piece of hoodwinking. One morning we were solemnly
informed that the authorities had completed arrange-
ments whereby every prisoner was to receive a good
substantial meat meal once a week. It was to com-
prise a chop, potatoes, some other vegetable, and gravy.
It sounded so extraordinarily luxurious and appetising
as to provoke incredulity and caustic comment. Those
who, like myself, had suffered internment in other
AMERICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 327
camps and who had become thoroughly grounded in
Teuton shiftiness and trickery divined that something
unusually crafty and cunning was afoot.
I might mention that by this time Ruhleben com-
prised a small town of twenty-three barracks housing
a round 4,00o prisoners. This represented an average
of 174 men to a barrack, although, as a marrer of fact,
some of the buildings accommodated over 200 men.
The clflinary arrangements were fulfilled by only two
kitchens. Now, the problem which presented itself
to the minds of the more sophisticated and suspicious
prisoners was thismHow would the authorities grapple
with the preparation and serving of 4,ooo chops in one
day with the cooking facilities available ? Were we to
be treated to another staggering example of Germany's
wonderful powers of organisation and management ?
The glamour of the proposition suddenly disappeared.
We learned that the "' tuck-in " was not tobe genera!
throughout the camp on a certain day. The delight
was tobe dealt out in instalments, and in such a
manner that so many men would be able to partake
of the gorgeous feast upon each successive day of the
week.
So far so good. We in I3arrack 5 were among the
first to receive the promised meat meal, which we had
been anticipating with ill-disguised relish. It reached
us on the Tuesday. The meal was swallowed greedily
and keenly enjoyed, although the meat was of inferior
quality. But I never saw another chop in out barrack
for a month! Crash went another alluring Teuton
promise.
We became inquisitive and to out amusement learned
what the more shrewd and doubting among us had
suspected. Sufficient chops were being cooked every
day to ensure so many men regu!arly receiving the
meat meal. Every man received lais chop as promised
although he was perhaps compelled to wait an inor-
dinate rime for Iris turn. As there were twçnty-
three barracks dth two kitchens to fulfil their demands
328 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
meat dinners were being prepared every day. Indeed,
the Germans appeared tobe always cooking chops l
It was a masterpiece of German cunning. XVhenever-
a visitor, animated by desires to ascertain how the
prisoners were being treated, visited the camp he was
piloted to the kitchen. There could be seen an imposing
array of chops sizzling and spitting gaily, and emitting
an appetizing aroma. Were prisoners of war ever
treated so sumptuously as those at Ruhleben ? The
visitor was gravely assured that the chops he saw
represented but a portion of what were being prepared
for the prisoners, in which statement the Germans
were perfectly correct, but they artfully refrained from
saying that only a certain number of men received
the dainty dish each day, the idea being to convey the
impression that this was merely the daily routine for
the whole of the camp.
It did hot marrer when the American representative
or any other visitor came into the camp--chops were
being cooked. The visitors naturally concluded that
we were being treated in a right royal manner,
and one quite in accordance with the most noble
traditions of the German nation. It never occurred
to these visitors, apparently, to make enquiries among
the prisoners to ascertain how they enjoyed their daily
meat meal ? Had they done so they would have been
surprised.
The German explanations were so verbose and osten-
sibly so sincere as to be received without the slightest
cavil. Naturally our task-masters studiously declined
to extend any enlightenment upon the matter,
preferring to lull the visitors into a false haven of
credibility. Unfortunately we discovered that we
had to pay indirectly for the delectable dainty and
Teuton liberality--the dinners upon the other days
steadily grew worse in quantity, quality, and variety 1
We all admire the unceasing efforts which the
American Ambassador has, and still is exerting upon
out behalf, and we are extremely thankful for the
AMEtICAN AMBASSADOR DECEIVED 329
many and far-reaching improvements he bas wrought.
His work is one of extreme difficulty, demanding
unremitting patience, tact, and impartiality. It must
be remembered that he was submitted to an unceasing
bombardment of complaints from 4,000 prisoners,
overwrought from their incarceration, and ready to
magnify the slightest inconvenience into a grievance.
Unfortunately his task is aggravated by the unprin-
cipled lying, bluffing, and crafty tactics of the German
authorities. They have no more compunction in
fooling the American Ambassador than they have in
depriving the prisoners of sulTicicnt food to keep body
and soul together. The task of Mr. Gerard in the
immediate future is certain to become more perplexing,
intricate, and delicate, but we hope that he will prove
equal to the occasion.
Early in Novembcr, 1915, my arrangements for
leaving Ruhleben were so far advanced that I could
scarcely restrain my excitement. On December 6 I
disposed of my business. It was of no further use
to me. The day for which I had been waiting so
patiently and longingly had dawned at last and--
I got home saldy/
Although arrested and tried upon the false, frivolous,
trumped-up charge of being a British spy. I have never
been acquitted of that indictment. It still hangs
over my head.
Shortly after reaching home I received a letter from
a friend with whom I had been interned. He secured
his release some months before I shook the dust--and
mud--of Ruhleben from my feet. On the day we
parted he sympathised deeply with me at the prospect
of being condemned to languish in the hands of the
enemy until the clash of arms had died down. I did
hot seek to disillusion tfim, although, even at that time,
I had ruade up my mind to get avay by hook or by
crook.
Ttfis former fellow-prisoner had heard of my sale
330 FOUR GERMAN PRISONS
return fo my own fireside. The envelope contained
nothing beyond his visiting card, across the back of
which he had scrawled, " How the devil did you get
out ? "
But that is another story.
THE END
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