"REPRISAL " CAGE AT LE CATEAU

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 81, 31 December 1918, Page 4

"REPRISAL " CAGE AT LE CATEAU

CIVILIAN AID.TO STARVING BRITISH. Since the occupation of Le Cateau by the Allies, very interesting information has lieen given by the municipal authorities of that town regarding the British prisoners of war who have been in that commune.- since 1917. They were nil in a pitiable slate of health; their Wiidi' (ion, indeed, was so bad that the municipal council voted a credit to assist them. A committee of ladies was also formed for the collection and distribution of clothes and comforts. By way of food the. prisoners were given pearl barley in the morning, soup mado of swedes lat midday, and "coffee made of acorns in the evening. The local committees I supplemented the rations with bread and rice. On several occasions (he Municipal Council passed votes of censure on the disgraceful treatment to which the prisoners were subjected, and these records nre still intact. Attached to these docu- j ments are the sworn evidence and formal piotests made by several British prisoners.

About the end of April 51 prisoners were quartered in the Rue do la Gare. They wore in such a terrible state that the Mayor of the town has described them as "no longer men." A neutral who was ot that time residing in Le Cateau took up their case and did everything that whs possible to obtain better treatment for them. The 150 prisoners who came to Le Cateau abjut (he end of August were quartered in the Lelicnuo Mill. The condition of these prisoners was very bad, and to make matters worse civilians were not allowed to go near them. A very small quantity of food was smuggled 'lo them, but tho quantity was insignificant. These unfortunate men wore reduced tu eating carrots which they would find in tho gardens when mil on working parties. About March, .1317, a "reprisal" cage, about CO yards square, was constructed by the Germans at a place called "L'Aviation,'' on (he road from Le Cateau to Wassigny. This cago was surrounded by an iron railing and was guarded by two sentries. By way of shelter from (ho weather tho prisoners, two in number, were accommodated in a very small hut about half a yard high and three feet long, a shelter Hint did not permit of tho whole of the men's bodies being covered. The prisoners were changed every 21 days, and this "reprisal" camp was in existence for four months. During that timo it was quite impossible for tho civilians to assist these prisoners. A Mile. Druer Eaymondc was able, for a little whiie, to pass them food by stealth, but she was detected and sent (o prison. These prisoners did no work. They were, however, forced to writo twice a day, giving an account of the treatment imposed upon them, as the Germans wanted the, Allies (o know thej measure of "reprisals" taken. , Too high praise cannot be given to the loyalty and devotion ot tho French civilians of Lo Cateau, who willingly faced persecution and prison in order jo help tho soldiers of their ally. Thanks to the energy and good-will cf tho people tho commune, in spite of enormous difficulties, was able to assist about 4200 j prisoners.