WAR PRISONERS IN TURKEY

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 98, 25 April 1917, Page 5

WAR PRISONERS IN TURKEY

FINANCIAL AID NEEDED. (Bl TEUBGKAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WANGANUI, 24th April. A letter has been received at Wanganui from Corporal F. J. Earles, who was taken prisoner on Gallipoli. He states that during the past seventeen months he has been confined in different places, but for the last year has been, a 2>risoner at Bilemdik, where he is engaged at labouring work, receiving the equivalent of 2s 8d per day, out of which amount he has to pay for food. Most of the prisoners have had fever, and twenty-eight Englishmen and one Auckland soldier have died- The-Turkish authorities removed the rest to a better climate. At present CoTporal Earles is the only New ZeaJander at Belemdik, but three others are stationed fifteen miles away. He sees Ithem occasionally. He adds that New Zealanders get a few parcels from England, but' none from the Dominion. All aro short of money— some "stony broke." Tho interned men suggest that patriotic societies should endeavour to assist them. Small financial assistance is given all prisoners through the American Embassy.