Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 58, 11 March 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

CONCENTRATION CAMP. HOW THE PRISONERS FARE. AN INTERESTING VISIT. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (■Received 8 a.m. ) London. March 10. The Times' correspondent, who visited the prisoners, says they are placed in a quarantine pen for a month and then drafted into other pens. A fence 7ft. high and surmounted by bar!) wire surrounded the buildings, in which is accommodated 250 heating and cooking stoves. The mattresses were filled with shavings, au d the blankets were scanty, the prisoners using their great-coats as overlets. For breakfast, coffee and bread were served ; at midday, a bowl of meat and potatoes, as well as soup, and black bread; in the evening, bread and potatoes. It was impossible to purchase extras, except soup, brushes, towels, and German dictionaries. The latter were ridiculously cheap at threepence each, and an officer explained: "We want the Anglo-French to learn our language, so that they will understand us better." The correspondent said the clothing of many of the prisoners was in a pitiable condition. They were permitted to write a postcard weekly. The officer intimated that he would be employed planting crops in the spring, and added thoughtfully : "There is no doubt with us they will be ready for the harvest."

MISCELLANEOUS. London, March 10. Mr Lloyd George, in .the House of Commons, said the additional powers taken would help employers out iof the difficulties which they might experience if they were called to throw their all into the common stock. Mr Bonar Law said the powers were the. most drastic ever submitted to the House of Commons. If these tremendous powers were abused it would do incalculable harm to the country's industries. He was not prepared to oppose the Bill, realising that they must give the Government the fuljest power over the country's resources.

Mr Hodge said the Bill effect 1 Labor's collectivist ideas. He suggested that workmen as well as employers should be consulted as to details. The unrest among the war ammunition workers was due to the Government's unconscionable delay in settling disputes.

The authorities have prohibited officers of the London command visiting night clubs, owing to gambling. The prohibition is the outcome of a police case wherein it was hinted that many young officers had been ruined by gambling. The second contingent of Canadians has landed in England.

WAR OFFICE APPEAL FOR MORE MEDICAL MEN. (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, March 10. The War Office is appealing for more doctors.

BRITISH FAIRPLAY METHODS.

ENEMY TRADE THROUGH NEUTRAL CHANNELS.

(Received 8.35 a.m.) London, March 10

That British observance of fair play in international law is in direct conflict to their owr&nterests is exemplihed in two directions. The president of the Admiralty Court overruled the objections of the Attorney-General regarding a captured prize which contained 1000 tons of copper from the United States to Gothenburg, though it was desired to requisition the cargo for arsenal purposes, for which Britain was prepared to pay handsomely. The copper was for the use of contractors to the Swedish Govenment. The second instance was the announcement through the British Embassy at Washington that measures were proposed to be taken restricting enemy trade rights. The Neutrals' contractors respected it to the extent that cotton which was consigned to neutral ports only, and in which all engagements as to sale, freightage, and insurance had been contracted before March 2nd, was allowed a free passage, or, if seized, compensation was paid according to the contract price, the period of grace being fixed within the current months during which the cargo may have been loaded and the vessels despatched. An announcement foreshadows Ordcrs-in-Council covering all enemy trade through neutral channels.