INTERNED IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16589, 12 January 1916, Page 8

INTERNED IN GERMANY

_ TIMARU BOY'S EXPICIIIENCES. Mr Squiro, of Fairviow, has received a letter irora his eldest son (George), an eloctrical engineer, who, sinco the outbreak' of war, has lieen interned in Germany, at Ruhlcbcn camp (says the Herald). The writer, giving a synopsis of happenings since July, 1914, says: — 1 " When the war broke out we hoped that England would not bo in it, and as we did not expect to me seriously inconvenienced aa private people, we did not think wo shoukl go away. But when England declared war* thero was no possibility of our leaving. The American Engineering Company people advised us all to stay and kept us on till tho end of October, but paid us till 30th November. 1914. From the beginning of July till November 6 (on which date all British except colonials were interned), I had to report twice a week ut the nearest police station. From November 6 on wo had to go twice a day, but my wife was very soon let off with twice a week. Early in February all colonials were arrested, and I was put in gaol on February 19, where 100 of us had to stay for about threo weeks before we were sent to Ruhleben. I must mention that when I was free tho police and all tho private people were very kind to us, and since my internment all have been very kind to my wife. Al! her German relations have sent me packets. Undo and my father-in-law have called on me here several times. In gaol we were allowed to see our wives and other relatives twice a week. Tho first few days we wero locked up in our cells, but were 6oon allowed to have tho doors open all day, and to go into the yard or visit one another We were also allowed to have all local papers, and to have our food eent in from outside. I only had food sent in three times per week, as the gaol food was very plain but quite eatable. On March 13 wo wero sent to Ruhleben. We marched through Berlin, guarded by police, and took train to this place. We were put into a new barracks and allowed to have our luggage carted out. We hjd our own blankets, ,but were givc)n a blanket, a towal, mattress, and pillow, as_ well as a bowl for food. Ruhleben is Quite close to Berlin. The camp contains 23 barracks, II of which are stone stablos with hay lofts, Theso are fitted up «6uitable for camping in. The 'boxes hold four to six beds in two storeys. The _lofts are fitted up as well as can be expected. All are whitewashed, equipped with central heating and electric light. The wooden barracks are quite comfortable, well heated, and have electric light. Tho central heating of the stone barracks and two wooden barracks is done by means of steam from threo largo locomobile boilers. The remainder aro heated by ovens. The camp covers a largo space of ground. It is a whole racecourse. The threo grandstands serve as general buildings for post, library, and lecture rooms, kinematograph and theatre. There is a pavilion of which the top part is rigged up as barracks, and the. lower part is used as a kitchen. We have the whole of the racecourse for games. Two games of' cricket and a dozen games of tennis can be played there simultaneously. The whole of the' running of the camp is in our hands; the German military keep guard, do the censoring, and preserve order. It takes nearly 10 minutes to walk from one side of tho course to tho other. We have about 1000 civilians, of whom over one-third aro sailors. We have technical circles, camp schools, and all kinds of entertainment. I have been elected hon. consulting electrical engineer to the entertainment committee, and have chargo of the theatre and kino plant. I often go to Berlin with a. soldier to nurchaso electrical fittings required, but otherwise no one is permitted to- leave the camp. The life here is by no _ means monotonous, and we get on well _ with tho military. We have our own police force. There are about 100 Australians here, but only about 10 New Zealanders. We have our own staff at the two kitchens* The cooking is done very well, and the food is plentiful and quite good. In tho beginning the camp was not as comfortable as it is now, because it had to bo prepared in haste. The British Government give those in need of relief 5s per week through tho American Embassy. Some people here are bitter, and have a tendency to give unfavourable reports. I must say that we havo no complaint to make about treatment and accommodation unless we forget wo aro in a detention camp and not in a sanatorium. My wife and our little ones are getting on well. Among other things, I have roadi' an electric clock, with striking gear, out of old biscuit tins. It keepe very good time. and the people 6ay it is the best handiwork in tho camp. I hope* you "will not be anxious about rae, as wo aro all right, I have every hope of being able to continue my duties with the firm when tho war is over." Mr Squiro sent 'his son £30, and tho latter mentions that he received this without any trouble.