TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

Northern Advocate, 30 September 1918, Page 1

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

WELLINGTON MAN'S EXPERIENCE.

TWO YEARS IN HUNLAND. '

WELLINGTON, Sept. 30

.An interesting sidelight on the treatment accorded to British prisoners'of war in Germany is afforded in the case of Lieutenant Max Juriss, of Wellington, formerly of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. Failing to get a commission in the New Zealand Forces, Lieutenant Juriss went to England at his own expense early in 1916, and, to his military knowledge and he had no difficulty, in securing a commission in the 7th London Regiment, with which unit he went to France. , • In fighting on the Flanders front Lieut. Juriss was taken prisoner, and from time to time letters have been received by his wife in Wellington telling, with unfailing regularity, how well he was being treated, and that "everything in the garden was lovely." Lieutenant Juriss has re-' cently been exchanged, and, writingfree from German censorship; - his letter tells a different story to those posted in Germany. The letter was written from the beautiful mansion of the Baroness de Brienen (now a hospital), near The Hague.

"On my arrival in Holland," writes ; Lieutenant Juriss, "I sent a telegram.' to the High Commissioner, informing him of same, and. within a shortspace of time he"'replied/to- ; 'my tele-' gram congratulating, me on my safe,' arrival in Holland. Sir THomas.:Ma'ckenzie also mentioned tliat.he ; had. cabled to New Zealand'; in|qrmihgV you (Mrs Juriss) of the gob^ftieWs;, so I take it for granted that^'^r^^is' reaches you the news will nave. spread to ail the dear folks, who clre;, you will not fail^t^le|r : them| know. ■•--■; • > :.■.

"I, hardly know how to. commence) this letter, I am too overjoyed to be out of that heathen country (Germany) ; in fact I cannot yet ..,quite realise that it can be true—it'is moj*e ■ like a beautiful dream !■ '" Holland Is a paradise to us. Ju%- fancy?—two years and one month%*ri'that "ttiK civilised -country, nothing but tor-"* ture and miserable v trea£ment (not to.mention our heftish surroundings.) I just simply' hatefllp^think^f^ these monstrous brutes; and as for Clausthal (where he was last held a prisoner) I Siberia to it. .;-_.. J m t/jjjw'g^j'hi and wlien I feel more~#t I \vSrhave a great deal to tell you. Soon aft*r my arrival in Holland the Dutch doctors ordered me to take a rest cure, and at present I am a patient at the British Red Cross Hospital at Clingendaal, The Hague. The hospital is the magnificent residence of the Baroness de Brienen, and is considered to be the most beautiful estate in all Holland. I have seen some fine places in my time, but this mansion tops them all. It should be called a palace. The Baroness is very popular indeed, and the whol« hospital is under her personal supei'vision, assisted by by Red Cross sisters from England. Of course, I am only remaining in the hospital for a few weeks, when I return to my hotel at Scheveningen. Since I have been a patient here I have made wonderful improvement, and should it continue at the present rate I ought to receive my marching orders (discharged fit and in the pink) in due course. Scheveningen is a most | delightful place, and is considered one of the chief watering places in Europe. Its only drawback (from a British officer's point of view) is that everything is so awfully expensive. However, one must not grumble or growl. It is war-time, and it is only to be expected. To be alive with your limbs in sound condition is the chief thing, after all, more so to be so blessed in a civilised comunity. On our arrival in Scheveningen we were given a most magnificent welcome. Among those present at the reception was the good Queen Wilhelmina, of Holland. In addition to her Majesty, there were also British and Dutch generals and representatives of the British Commission visiting Holland in connection with the War. Prisoners' Conference, now sitting at The Hague, and a large gathering of ladies and gen? tlemen, also officers, n.c.o.'s, and men of his Majesty's forces.

"After the reception I had a long interview with Sir George Cave, who was very much interested to hear all the news concerning our treatment in Germany. Our party (from Germany) consisted of 19 officers, 17 of whom belonged to the mercantile marine service, one Royal Naval airman, and myself (the only army officer to come through.) In addition to the officers there were about 59 n.co.'s belonging to various regiments. There have been some important discussions in the House of Commons with regard to the granting of leave to the British interned in Holland. Should such a scheme be given effect to there is a possibility of those belonging to the colonies being given leave to visit their homes, so don't be surprised should I suddenly drop in at Wellington, have a word or two, and push off again." The rest of the letter is of a private character, but Lieutenant Juriss -complains of difficulty in writing at length, presumably through being run down after his experiences in Germany.