BRITISH PRISONERS

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 522, 18 May 1915, Page 2

BRITISH PRISONERS

Private W. Scott, of tlie Ist Northumberlands, who was a prisoner m the hands of the* Germans since October 26, was among a batch recently exchanged. He was captured at La Bassee when the advanced trench occupied by about 400 men was rushed by the German "Death's Head Hussatrs," every man being killed, with the exception of Scott and five companions, who were taken prisoners. He alleges that he saw the Germans shoot and bayonet wounded men. The prisoners were then marched off to a lai'ge house where other prisoners were under guard. Scott and his companions were lined up at one side of the house. Their boots, shirts, socks, overcoats, etc., were taken from them by the Germans. -An officer took Scott's overcoat. All the men were more or less wounded. They were treated by the German doctors, who tore or cut off their clothing to get at the wounds. They were then given a blanket each, and m this plight they were marched 10 miles to a station, the name of which he did not know. 'During the whole time they were subjected to iv suiting remarks from officers and men alike, who swore- at them and shouted. "Yah, you English oannot fight." "You English swine." "You English use dum-dum bullets," and so on. In some cases they, did not hesitate to kick the prisoners. They were then entrained for Douai, where they were billeted m the Cathedral. At Douai they were put into a box railway truck, 72 being m the truck m which Scott and his companions were. In this way they travelled three days and three nights, and during that time never had anything to ■eat or drink. At the/ stations at which the train stopped the officers would open the doors of the waggon and show the prisoners to the civilians, who jibed and jeered at them, and called them " English swine." When they arrived at the concentration camp they were ih such a condiI tion that they threatened to drink from the gutters if water was not given them, and a supply of water was thereupon provided, but nothing to eat. Before being taken to th© camp the prisoners were 1 marched round and round the town for | the edification of the civilian population', J where they were again treated to abuse and kicks. The women, however, were [the worst. They pinched the soldiers on the arms and other paa-te of the ■ body, and. spat on them- The men were next taken to a camp formed of wooden huts, which for a time were fairly comfortable, but .as time went on these got very dirty and verminous. The food at this camp was abominable. Three meals a day wero allowed. At 6 o'clock m the morning some Mack coffee was given them without milk or sugar; at 7 two thick slices of black rye bread was served out ; at li o'clock three-quarters of a pint of soup, sometimes pea soup, and sometimes -made of horse beans ; and at 5 o'clock more soup, frequently chestnut soup, with a small piece of sausage or meat, but no bread. No opportunity was massed of further insulting the English prisoners. 'When' on parade the sentries would call them " English swine," and kick them m cowardly fashion. Bulletins were posted m .the camp from time to time, supposed to be giving the progress of the war, m which the prisoners were told of the continued success of the German armies ; that Paris was m their hands, and that the Germans were m London. The only reliable piece of information posted Avas the news of the sinking of the Emden, which the prisoners* cheered to the echo. At intervals companies of young recruits were marched through the camp singing their national songs, and, as usual, insulting the prison ' ers. Scott's health broke down, aj.d he was certified by a friendly doctor -*_$ suffering from heart disease. He was accordinly included m the company of British prisoners for exchange, and he arrived home during the past week. He asserts that rather than go back again to the Germans he would shoot himself.