FREE AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 1, 23 September 1918, Page 5

FREE AGAIN

AFTER TWO EARS' IMPRISONMENT

IN GERMANY

TORTURE AND MISERABLE

TREATMENT

An interesting sidelight on the treatment accorded to British prisoners of war in Germany is afforded in the oase of Lieutenant Max Juriss,' of Welling' ton, formerly of the Boyal New Zealand Artillery. Failing to get a commission in the. New Zealand Forces, Lieutenant Juriss went to England at his own expense early in 1910, and, thanks to his military knowledge aud experience, he "had no difficulty in securing v a commission in the 7th London Regiment, with which unit he went to l<'r;°nco. In lighting on the Flanders front Lieutenant juriss was taken prisoner, and from time to time letters have been received, by his wife in Wellington telling, with unfailing regularity, hotf well he was being treated, and that "everything in tho garden was lovely." Lieutenant Junss has recently been oxchaaiged, and, writing freo from German censorship, his letter tells a different story to thoso postcd in Germany. The letter was written from the boautiful mansion of _ the Ba-roness de Brienen (now a. hospital), near The Hague. "Oh my arrival in Holland, writes Lieutenant Juriss, "I sent, a telegram to the High Commissioner, informing him of same, and within a. very short space of time he replied to my teio<grani congratulating mo on my safe arrival in Holland. Sir Thomas Mai> kenzie also mentioned that ho had cabled to New Zealand informing you (Mrs. Juriss) of the good news, so J take it for granted that ere this reaches you the news will have spread to all the dear folks who caro. I know you will not fail to let them know. "I hardly know how to commence this letter, I aim too overjoyed to be out of that heathen country (Germany) ; in fact, I cannot yet quite realise that it can be true-it is more like a beautiful dream! Holland is a paradise to us. Just fanoy—two years and one month in that uncivilised country, nothing but torture and miserable treatment (not to raonion our hellish surroundings). I just simply hate to think of those monstrous brutes; and as for Clausthal (where ho was last held a prisoner) I would prefer Siboria to it. ... I nm taking things quietly, and whon I fool more fit I will have a great deal to tell you. Soon after iny arrival in Holland the Dutel doctors ordered me to take a rest cure, and at present I am a patient at the British R«d Cross Hospital at Ctagen.daal, The Hague. Tho hospital is the magnificent residence of the Baroness do Brienen, and is considered tobe the most beautiful estate in all Holland. I have seen some fine places in hit time. but this mansion tops them all. It should be called a palace.' The Baroness is very popular indeed, and the whole hospital, is under hor personal assisted 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 Schevenmgen. Since I have been a patient hero 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 duo course. Scheveningen is a most delightful place, and is-consider' pd one of the chief watering places in Kurope. Its only drawback (from a British officer's point of view) ie that everything ifl so awfully expensive. However, one must not grumble or growl. It is war-time, and it is only to bo 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 community. On our ■ arrival in Scheveningen we were givon n most magnificent welcome. Among those present at thn reception was the good-Queon Willielminn, of Holland. In nMition to Her Majesty, thero wore also British and Dutch Generals nnd representatives of theßritish Commission visithm Holland in con' nection with the War Prisoners' Conference, now sitting at The Hague, and a, Inrgp gathering of ladies and gentlemen, also officers, n.c.o.'s, and men of His Majesty's forces. "After the mccntion I had a long interview with Sir George Cave, who was very much interested to hear all f he news concerning our treatment in Germany. Our party flFrom Germany) consisted, of nineteen officers, seventeen of whoni belonged tn tbo mercantile one Royal Naval airman, and myfolf (tlio only Army oflicpi in come through}. In additionto tlip officers there were nbout fifty-nine r v.o.'s belonging to various regiments. There have been some important discussions in the Houso of Commons with rocrprd to the granting of leave to tlip Britisli interned in Holland. Should such a scheme be tjiven effrct to there is .a possibility of those belonging in the colonies being given Irave to visit their homes. so don't bp. surprised should I suddenly drop in at Welliiifr-te-n. hn.vc a word or two, and push off again." The rest of tho letter is of a private character, but Lieutenant Juriss complains of difficulty iti writing at length, presumably through being run-down nfter his experiences in Germany.