Where Japan Guards Captured Russians.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8835, 15 July 1905, Page 3 (Supplement)

Where Japan Guards Captured Russians.

The northern coast of the Island of Shikoku forms one of the boundaries of the beautiful Inland .Sea of Japan. 'The, town of Miitsuyama, in which large numbers of Russian prisoners of war are confined, is the largest on the island. Matsuyiinia is situated on an extensive plain surrounded on three sides by ranges of mountains and on the fourth by the inland sea. There is a castle which stands on an eminence just, outside the town, and from it one can obtain a bird's-eye view of the town and environment!.

Temples of Japan are often put- lo other purposes than those for which (hey were creeled, and many are now being utilised for the accommodation of Russian prisoners of war. There are, three .such places in Matsuyama, and between I he three are distributed nearly 5000 men. In addition to these temples a large, private house and the public hall have been set apart for Kussiiii officers and the barracks as a. hospital for wounded prisoners. The floors of tin* temples are covered with Japanese units, so thilt no boots are allowed inside the buildings. Kach man has his straw mattress and red army blanket, which in the :lay tiiuc is rolled up against the wall together with such "kit." as be may possess. Clothing is supplied by the Japanese. The Island of Shikoku is an impossible, place lo escape from, as even if any prison ers manage to get away from their (juarters and from Malsuyaina they tire sure to be stopped before getting off the island, The nearest big treaty port is Lobe, and any foreigner travelling off the beaten track is always subjected to searching inquiries as lo his name, nationality, business, age, where, he has come from and where he is going. Kven in times of peer the police are always on the alert, and now that, the war is on. it is quite impossible to spend a whole day incognito. The difficulty of escaping becomes greater when the language is not Known, for the few foreign residents of the district are mostly missionaries, who speak Japanese fluently, and this makes a strange foreigner all the more conspicuous. In spite of all this, however, there have been several attempts lo escape, and one officer has bad the temerity to trv twice.

As far as occupation is concerned there are always duties connected with prcpar in/ and cooking food, keeping things in order generally and personal matters which occupy some little time, and exercise is taken almost every day, (he men being marched out under (he control of a, Japanese escort. Some few of the men are at tempting to learn Japanese, and have, made sufficient progress to carry on fragments of conversation with their guards. There arc competent interpreters attached to each depot to translnlo the commandant's orders and to act as a medium be tween the authorities and the num. There are. also dry goods stores at which Final! purchases run be made. Money is not, abundant, but the non-coms, -receive from one yen to two yen monthly and the private soldiers 50 sen each, so that in all probability many are as rich as when in their own country. The officers are allowed lo retain their servants, and have a irreat deal of liberty. They may go out individually or in parties lo any part of the town or suburbs on permission being gained from the Japanese officer in charge of their quarters. Naturally they must have an escort always with them, and it is quite a common occurrence to see an officer dressed in private clothes.

Many of the officers go to tho bath;; evcTy morning in this manner and return after taking a stroll in (he beautiful park which forms one of the attractions to the neighborhood. The officers are in Teceipt of funds from both their own Government (through the French Legation at Tokio) and from the Japanese, authorities. A colonel receives about 60 yen monthly in this way, a captain about 36 yen, .'md so on through the various ranks. In addition to this, private means can be forwarded from Russia. Officers are given private quarters and they acknowledge that I lie food and treatment are good, and would liavo been considered excellent on active service, and yet. there is evidently a keen resentment and deep sense of humiliation in having (o acknowledge anything to the credit of their captors. The officers are allowed to purchase anything they please on the premises or in the (own. Many of them are collecting choice pieces of bric-a-bT.ic, which (hey will doubtless take back with them to Russia in days to come. Several speak excellent English, and are quite enthusiastic about: the American nation, which they regard as being friendly. The same sentiment, however, is not extended to tho British. The Russians evidently think that, when Japan has been finished off there will be. an account to settle with Great Britain.

As f.rr as reading matter in concerned, tho English p.'ijKT.s published in Japan aro allowed, .is also aro the Kussian periodicals prior to tho war, but books aro scaTCO. Letters aTe, of course, subject to censorship. There are about 95,000 prisoners all told at the barracks, and this number inchidc-H some, SOOO officers. Nearly everyone sent to the hospital him Wn cither' wounded or disabled through sickness; when they recover (hey are moved on lo tho other depots. The hospitals aro capable of accommodating 2500 invalids and a large number from Port Arthur have been dispatched thither. The staff consists of 30 doctors and about 100 nurses, among whom is an American resident of Mntsuyama. The dispensaries, rooms, and all other conveniences of a hospital, aro fitted with up-to-date requirements. Only 700 deaths have occurred in the b.iTrnekH sinco the early days of the war, when they were, first turned into a hospital, and, considering that many of the men arrivo in very bad health, with shattered nerves, or with sotious wounds, the authorities may feel proud of the low death rate.

You will find, as you look back upon your life, Unit tho moments that stand out, the moments when you havo really lived, are the moments when you have dono things in a spirit of love. Not the sun or the summer alono, but every hour and season yields its tribute of delight. (Jive me health and a day, and I will make the pomp of Emperors ridiculous. Cheerfulness should bo the gift of the sunlight, the nir should suilico for inspiration, and radiance of wisdom in tho lonely w.-.'ste of the pine woods, making us dance and run about happily like children.—Emerson.

It appears that the Kaiser is not always master in his own home, for tho Itarlincrs are very much exercised over what they call the "scandal" of the Princess Cccilc of Mecklenburg's trousseau. The Grand Duchess Anastasia, the mother of the Crown Prince's bride, has ordered nil hor daughter's dresses in Paris, and it wag arranged that the Princess should go to tho altar in a wedding dress not made in (Jormany. Tho Emperor himself, as well as tho Empress, besought tho Grand Duchess not to inflict such a, slight on tho dressmakers of the Fatherland, but all in vnin, for the Grand Duchess was obdurate.